Second Generation

7. Pvt Charles Thomas ACKLEY^1,18 Enlisted in the military 28 December 1863 as a Pvt in Iowa^19,20 age at enlistment 30 Biography of²¹ CHARLES THOMAS ACKLEY
1833 to 1913

A Brief Biography

Charles Thomas Ackley, son of James and Nancy Ackley, the seventh child in the order of a family of 11 children, was born in Pitsfield, Otsego County, New York July 25, 1833. He died at the home of his daughter near Philipsburg, Kansas February 13, 1913 at the age of 79 years, 5 months, and 20 days.

At seventeen years of age he entered the Charlotteville Academy. After finishing the course, he taught several terms of school.

He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Thayer October 29, 1853 and started immediately for Iowa, arriving at Marble Rock, which was then Beelar's Grove.

Mr. Ackley built the first frame house in Union Township. He and his brother, Martin, erected their cabins on their land so that each could lawfully live on their own land and still be under the same roof; the brothers married sisters.

He was the father of five children, two dying in infancy. Mrs. Ackley passed away May 6, 1899. His son, Elburn D., died in Kansas on February 3rd, 1901.

In November, on the 16th, 1902, he married Mrs. Theresa Sellon, who died July 17, 1912, from injuries suffered from a runaway horse.

After the death Mr. Ackley made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Charles Morrison of Philipsburg, Kansas.

Mr. Ackley answered the call of President Lincoln, enlisting in Company B, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Judge Reinigar his captain. His life as a soldier was an active one, participating in many engagements at Atlanta, Dallas, Jonesboro, and Sherman's March to the Sea. He was never wounded, but contracted a chronic disease which followed him to his death.


---- Ena Louise Ackley Adams
Daughter of son, Merton I. J. Ackley
He was living 1863 & 1900 in Marble Rock, Floyd , Iowa.^13,19,20 living with son Merton He was born on 25 Jul 1833 in Pittsfield, Otsego , New York.^{1,3,4,10,11,13,22} Find a Grave has birth year as 1835 Between 1860 and 1870 he was Farmer at Union, Floyd , Iowa.^4,10 He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife and children,

The time moves slow. It seems so long since I have seen the faces of those I love. I am constantly reminded that though I am absent from you, yet still I have not forgotten wife, children or home with the experiences I have had; and knowing that it is but a drop in the bucket, I should rather give all I am worth and commence anew, yet I am well and have but a little patrolling the streets and looking into the hotels and saloons to bring in the straggling soldiers that are out after ten at night. All of the seven boys [from Marble Rock ?] have been examined and passed muster so the town need not fear the draft and they can pay the balance of the money. You must urge them some. You have perhaps seen some of the boys that are at home on furlough. The boys looked so healthy and natural that we have gone into Company B, Seventh Infantry [with] Captain R. C. Reinniger. They will stay till warm weather where it is healthy, if not longer. We have no news of importance.

It is nine o'clock at night and one other is writing at the same table by gas light in the Union League Hall where we sleep in our blankets. I have been to church twice today, in the morning to the Methodist [and] in the evening to the Presbyterian Church, and heard the best kind of sermon. At three o'clock we went to the Catholic Cathedral and saw their theatrical performance of Vespers. Now I think we will leave for Davenport Tuesday morning. I do not know as I can get a letter from you yet, as bad as I want to, but you must [write] a big long one and send [it] by Sam or Egbert if I do not tell you where to direct [it] before.

Tell Lenora that Papa is well and wants to kiss her very bad. Tell her to be a good girl and learn to read and write so she can write me and to learn to pray for him. Tell Elburn to be a good Union boy and love his Pa, and tell Emmerson Papa wants to see him and kiss and hug and shake and spank him and the others. You will do it for me. Pray for me, Dearest. Goodbye. I send a kiss for you all.

Your affectionate husband and father

C. J. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

We got in this place at two o'clock the fourth. There were about 50 soldiers came down with us. The boys that came with us from Marble Rock were examined last night and accepted. Baker got lame the first day and this morning he wanted to try and get discharged. He feels pretty bad. We expect to leave for Davenport next Wednesday. You can direct [mail] to Davenport, Iowa. My cold is better. I got some medicine of Dr. Guilbert. I guess it will help me. Crumb is well, and all of the rest of the boys. The weather has been quite pleasant since we started but it is snowing now, almost four o'clock p.m. Mrs. McNabb came with us from the Falls. She took the cars the other side of the river about two hours after we got to Dubuque. I have not much to write. We are boarding and sleeping at the farmer's home, but it is not our home. Read it to the children. Tell them Papa wants them to be good children and mind you. Kiss them for me. Answer as soon as you can. Write all the news and if you get a letter from Lewis.

Your affectionate husband,

C. J. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

We arrived here today about noon. We left Dubuque at four o'clock yesterday. We are all well. My cold is nearly well. The boys are in good spirits. It seemed hard to leave the state yesterday. It begins to look more like war. There is a good many soldiers here and a good many Indian prisoners, one or two hundred. They have to work, chop and carry wood and keep the yards clean. I saw some rebels today. There was 38 came in on the same train from Lasell. They were [a] hard looking set, ragged and dirty. I talked with some of them. They thought it was a fine country and good to fight in, but a heap better to live in and not fight. One from Virginia said the fighting would continue a long time. He said they could raise lots of men yet, but I hope it will not last long. I do not think they have got men so plenty, and they are deserting pretty freely. We see men from the army most every day, and they tell the same story of desertion and want and of the success of our arms; and the prisoners, they show it the most. Had on cotton pants and one had on a straw hat. They are now confined on Rock Island. I have not got any letters from you. I have not got to the post office and cannot before tomorrow. The railroad to the Falls has been snowed up so the mail has not been regular. I wrote a letter and sent a paper while in Dubuque. Now I will write to you often and I want you to do the same. It is lonesome here because it is not home, and the treasures of ones heart are far away and the distance increasing. Keep up good spirits and tell the children this is from Pa. Tell [them] Pa would like to see them and Ma, and kiss them and tell them Pa wants them to be good children. Tell Lenora and Elburn to be good to Emmerson and mind their Ma. Tell them Pa has got a good way off and is going farther. Ask them what you shall write to [me].

Feb. 12th. Job Clark is here. He has been sick. He was discharged from the hospital last night. His eyes are sore now. It is rumored that we shall leave here Monday or Tuesday, yet we do not know much about it. Direct your letters till farther orders to Camp McClellan, Davenport, Iowa, Company B, Seventh Iowa Infantry, forward to Regiment.

Feb. 13th. I have delayed this letter in hopes of receiving a letter from you, but some of the boys have been to town, but they did not get any and so I have to close this without any news from home. My dear wife, it is somewhat tough to not see you or the children, and I am afraid that I shall not get any news from home before I leave this place. I expect to leave Tuesday. I have not got my pay yet. I have signed the payrolls and will get my pay perhaps Monday. If I get my pay from Jo and mo, I shall send 70 dollars home. I think Mo has promised to pay it. I have to take my regular turns on guard, on two, off four hours, till nine tomorrow morning. Write as soon [as] you get this. You might send one by the boys. I shall write to Greenwood if I can before we leave here.

Yours truly,

Chas T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife and Children,

To while away the hours I thought I would write you a few lines. I am well and pray that the same blessing may attend you. How do you get along? Are you wishing he [who this refers to is not clear] were here? I am. The feelings of my heart are expressed by the poet, "I would that the war were over, that the cruel work were done" although the duties I have to perform are nothing. I have not been on guard duty since my last letter, but Jud and I cooked from Sunday four o'clock till one o'clock Monday morning for rations for soldiers that left Monday morning. 300 left then.

The boys are well except Crumb. He has a very bad cold but is getting better. There is some prospect of our being paid today yet. We are not certain, yet if we get our pay today we shall not stay here long. Tell Mr. Crumb's folks he want them to write him a letter. He wants to hear from them bad, and tell them to write how Truax gets along and where he lives. I have not had a letter from home or anywhere else. Do write and number your letters, then I can tell if there is any missed. The last one that I wrote is number one. Write all the news you can: how the children get along and what they say about pa. How is Emmerson's head? How are all the folks?

Our orderly that has charge of us lives at Vinton, Benton County and is acquainted with your cousin there. He has been gone a month. He says they were well when he comes away. They have but one child. Have you got any news from New York? I do not get a dress coat here but it is very cold and we have all drawn over coats. They are $7.50. Cavalry $11.00 apiece.

Maybe you would like to know how they punish refractory men. There was one that had on another's pair of boots. He had greased them well. He had to walk in front of the officers' quarters three hours and carry a stick of wood almost as large as he could carry. Some go in the guard house. It is dark and no bunks. There has not been any of our squad of 50 men in.

Our quarters are in a house boarded up and battened. We have a coal stove and we keep it hot all night. There is three bunks, one above the other about four feet wide with plenty of straw in them. We sleep quite comfortable. There is 27 bunks in each room. Since it has been cold they have no guard but for the Indians. Some of the boys go to town every day but I have not been. I don't care about it if I can send to the Post Office. Tell Crumb's folks to direct the same as you do yours. We have not heard much news since we came here. Who is staying with you now.

I have been vaccinated several days ago and it does not work. I guess I shall try it over again this afternoon.

I have delayed this letter to send to town to see if I could get a letter, but have to content myself without the too long looked for messenger. Now, Dear, write as often as you can. Kiss all of the children for me and tell them to be good children and mind their ma, and write what they say. Does Emmerson walk yet? How do they get along? Direct to Camp McClellan, Davenport, Iowa, Company B, 7th Infantry, forward to Regiment. Dear Wife, I send you my heart's love and to the dear little ones. Tell friends that I am well and have not of deserting.

Your lonely and affectionate Husband

C. J. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

Here I am in Dixie at last, and for the first time in three days that I have had time to write of do much else. I started from Davenport Tuesday morning and arrived at Chicago at f o'clock that day, and stayed there till 9:30 and then started again and arrived at Indianapolis about day light in the morning. Stayed till about noon and then left for Louisville, Kentucky, at which place we landed at 8 o'clock p.m. Stayed all night. Slept on the floor without straw, but slept quite well. Left in the morning for this place.

Old Kentucky is a desolate looking country. It looks like an old place without inhabitants and there were soldiers stationed at intervals all along the railroad to keep guard. They said that the guerilla pick up now and then one of their men. They kill them before they go far with them and the soldiers catch the guerilla and serve them the same sauce. We passed Bowling Green about one o'clock where Bragg was whipped and scared. We saw where the telegraph poles had been cut and stockades and earth works built. The women appeared to be loyal. Threw away their hand aprons, handkerchiefs, and once in awhile a flag.

I am thankful to be privileged to say to you that I am blessed with good health minus a slight cold. Rude has a very bad cold and Joe. The boys are generally well. There is some skirmishing going on near Knoxville, and a prospect of fighting in many places at no distance day [?] and a prospect of success to the cause of human rights if that is the result. The rebellion is nigh at its last gasp, which is the humble prayer of your unworthy husband and all truly loyal men or women.

The fare is not so bad if I were not so broke of my rest, but my dear wife, as poor an excuse of a husband as I was when I was at home, I feel that if I was at home with my family I think that it would approach near the height of happiness. What do you think of it? Oh dear wife, forgive if possible all my short comings, neglects, and abuses, while I was with you and not realizing the great blessing of a pure and lovely companion until separated from her by many long miles. My eyes are opening every day to more and more of the lovable qualities of my dear bosom companion that I left at home.

But, my dear, it was not for the want of love for you that I am thus separated from you. It was love for my family and the cause of truth and justice and I feel confident that in due time I shall be restored to you again for which I humbly pray.

I have had no letters from you and now I expect as I am flying through the country at such great speed that it can't catch me very soon. I expect to start in the morning for Pulaski, Tennessee. Direct to Pulaski, Company B, 7th Iowa Infantry, Captain Reinniger. Have you got that money, $67.00 and a blanket? Tell them to be good children and mind ma and love pa. Tell Nora to pray for pa. Ask them what you shall tell pa in your letter. Give my love to Father and Mother and all that may inquire. Write as often as much as you can. A letter is the next thing to home itself. How do you get along and if you want to know anything of me, ask and I will write the best that I can. Kiss all round often for me. Here is love for you and the little ones. Pray for me. Good bye from your unworthy husband.
C. J. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I am now in Dixie. We came here from Nashville the 29th. It froze hard last night, but is warm and muddy. We left Rudolph at Nashville with the measles. He was getting along well. Crumb went to the hospital with the measles. He is in a good place. The rest of us are well. There is a cotton plantation adjoining the camp. The cotton has not all been gathered yet. It was raised by slaves (They are not slaves now.), and they are ginning it now. We are going over to see them work it this afternoon.

There is three regiments here, the 7th and 2nd Iowa and 52nd Illinois and First Battery. The rebels are 40 miles from here. There is once in a while a guerilla seen, but they are scarce and shy. The veterans of the 7th have not got here yet. We look for them every day, and the worst of all is I have go no letters, but I look sharp for one every day. Do, Dear, write as often as you can. I intend to write twice a week to you if I can.

We live in little cabins: A.J. Asper, Sours, Clay, Jud, and your unworthy but affectionate husband, in one less than ten feet square, and we can go where we are a mind to. John Parish is here. He is not a'going to reenlist. He thinks he ought to have the privilege of staying at home with his family a spell now, and I think the same, but this rebellion must be stopped. We see the necessity of fighting. What a place would home be without law to protect our dear ones. It is this that should urge us on and this will give you good courage and I hope that our father will give us strength to do right and fight for our God and country.

Dear wife, pray for me and tell the children that I love them and want them to be good children, mind Ma, and be good to each other. Tell them to learn to pray so that they can pray for their papa, for naughty men are all around him and he wants them and Ma to pray for him that he may do right and be a good pa. Tell Lenora that she must learn to read so she can read pa's letters and learn to write to pa. Is Elburn a good Union boy? Does he love pa and want him to come home and see his children? Is his head as white as ever? Does Emmerson walk or talk? I should like to see you all, first rate. If I was to see one of you now, I should choose to see you, Wife. The children I can make no choice in them; they are all very dear to me.

When Rich comes over you must get all of your pictures taken and send them to me all in one. Lee and Elburn stand each side of you and Emmerson in your lap and send them to me as quick as you can before I leave here if you can. We do not know how long we shall stay here, nor where we shall go if we go away. There is lots of darkies here. They come here and apply for an escort to go into the country to bring in their families and goods, and they get it.

Have you got any letters from the east? What do they write and who is staying with you and how is all of the folks? Did you get the picture from Davenport? If you like it you can let father and mother have the other one to keep a spell. Did you get the money, $67, and a blanket? If you can get a good fine comb and send it to me in a letter, you may. I got one, but half of the teeth have broke. You can put it in a letter. Tell Martin and Father and others to write. Direct to Company B, 7th Iowa Infantry, Pulaski, Tennessee. Goodbye, Dear Wife and children. Write often.

Your affectionate husband,

C. J. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I have not had time in the day to write to you. It is about 8 o=clock and we have orders to be ready to march in the morning, 15 miles south to Prospect Station, but we do not know what we are a going to do.

We are all well but Crumb. He went to the hospital day before yesterday and we have not heard from him since. He had the measles. Rudolph we left at Nashville. He had the measles. He was getting better when we left.

It is raining now. I expect it will rain tomorrow if we go from here and no letters yet. Some of the veterans have got here but B has not. We do not know certain whether we go in the morning or not, but we expect to.

Why I do not get letters I do not know. Write, dearest. Why do you not write. Expect you do, but they do not know that I am in such a hurry to get a letter, but I do not think you have forgotten or [are] neglecting me, dear.

I am well. Have seen some hard fare but we have [it] quite good now. Aaron, Sam, Jo, Job went with a foraging expedition today. There was 7 teams and they were loaded with corn fodder and the boys got several hogs and hens. They saw none of the rebs.

The day I wrote to you last I went to a cotton gin but they had stopped work, but we saw how it worked. We saw a man that had been conscripted in the reb army, and he left them 8 months ago. He tells a hard story. He thinks it can=t last long and most think the same, but we can=t tell anything about [it]. We hope for the best. I will send you a few cotton seeds if you want to try to raise any. Plant in a box where it is warm and set them in rows. Kiss the children and thell them it is from pa and that he loves all of them and ma to dears. I do love you all and want you to pray for me and write to me as often as you can. I write this standing up with my portfolio in my hand. Good bye dear ones.

C J Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

It was so late when I finished the letter of the 4th that I could not get it mailed so I had to bring it in my pocket to this place, between 15 and 20 miles over the worst hill that I ever traveled - mud and water. I did not get my feet wet. I would not give my boots for six pairs of shoes to march in. The mud was over shoes in a good many places. We came over a hill called Tunnel Hill. The rail road goes through the hill. The road up the hill was the roughest road I ever saw in places. The rocks ran across the road and raised one foot square up. I have seen no place I had as soon live as Floyd County, let alone the cold weather. It is hilly and the valleys are wet, the water is good, springs rush out of the rocks.

We have seen none of the hostile enemy yet. Sam Folsom and the rest of the boys have not come yet. The Southerners are coming in and taking the oath most every day. We are in hopes the war will not last long but we do not know much about it. We expect the boys here tonight.

I have not got a letter yet. It is hard to wait much longer for a letter, but I can't help it, Dear. How do you and the children get along? Do you miss me much? Do the little ones miss pa any? What do they say? Emmerson is over a year old. Has his head got well? Can he walk or talk? Write what they say. Tell them pa want them to be good children and love him and Ma and mind Ma. Pray for me and tell the church to not forget its unworthy member. Tell some of them to write to me. Kiss the little ones for me. Tell them to kiss you for pa. Have you got that money? Direct to Company B, 7th Iowa Infantry, Prospect, Tennessee, and remember your unworthy but affectionate husband.

C. J. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear and much loved Wife,

Last night Egbert Hawks and the rest of the boys got here and he gave me a letter written by yourself and it was a most welcome visitor, you may be sure of that, although it was pretty old. I am sorry to hear you write that you think I will not love my own and dear wife. Sure I have plenty of company, but the more I have the more I feel that void in my heart that no other company can ever fill. Oh, Dear One, keep up good spirits and make the time as short as you can and always feel that your image is deeply engraven on my heart. You may think that I have no care, and I know I have nothing to be compared to the care of you, yet there is more on my mind than when I was home. You and the dear little lambs are not out of my mind hardly by night or day. In the long dreary hours of night I often lay awake thinking of you and that you too are lonely, and yet that I may have 34 months yet to stay. It does not seem possible it has not been but little over two months since I enlisted, but I am forced to say to myself it is even so. Yet I still have hopes this cruel war will soon be over. The states are dropping in one by one, and I pray that they may all keep moving till peace and universal liberty shall prevail throughout the whole land and long separated loved ones shall meet and enjoy the presence of each other through life.

Dear, I want you to write just as you feel and all you can get time to. I shall not get tired of reading your letters. They cannot be too long or too often. You wanted me to give you at least one hour each week. I intend certain to give you two letters a week, and sometimes more. I wrote one to you and put it in the office the 8th, and now the 10th I send you this feeble relic of the love and esteem of your husband. Some of my letters have been rather short, I own, but I intend to fill the sheet (even) if it is flat and stale. We are well, thank a kind and watchful providence, but I have been somewhat unwell. Friday night I was taken with a diarrhea and was up a great many times in the night and the next day marched from Pulaski to this place 15 or 20 miles. I thought I should give out. I went to an ambulance and told the driver I was sick and wanted to ride, and he told me that I must ask the doctor and he was ahead and we sat down and rested often and got through safe and kept up. I saw the doctor that night. He said let it run till morning and then he came to see me and gave me medicine that stopped it quick and I am well now. The dear children, tell them pa wants them to be good and learn to pray for pa. He wants to see them very bad, but he can't come home yet. Write what they do and say sometimes. Kiss them, it is for pa, and tell them to kiss you for pa. Oh, Dear, if I could see you all and do my own kissing I should be happy, but the laws of our country must be enforced and we must even fight for our homes and our dear ones or we cannot enjoy them in peace. Think of this and think that I have a great deal to fight for, yet it is not easy or quiet life. I do not know one hour where I may be the next. I have written a letter today to Elder Hodge and told him I wanted him to send you a certificate of our marriage as soon as he could. That land, I told them I thought I could pay some and maybe $50 in two or three months when I get my pay again. If Lewis don't come, we can make some kind of a payment, but I will let you do as you think best. I think some of your folks will come. I wrote to C to take the papers, if we took the land, to you. Have you got the money I sent you from Davenport? I sent $67 and also a blanket in a box with the other boys. The guerillas are near here. A man went riding Sunday with a girl on horses and they caught them and sent the woman back and were a'going to hang the man the next morning and he escaped in the night. They attacked a negro camp a night or two ago and wounded two negroes and the negroes drove them off. They do not know whether they hurt the guerillas or not. It was rainy last night but it is pleasant today. Write as often as you can, my Dearest Wife, and children receive my love. Kiss them for me. Good bye.

Your affectionate husband,
C. J. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife and Children,

Once more I have time to pen you a few lines and inform you that I am enjoying the great blessing of health and praying that God is dealing in the same merciful manner with you. I have to write the sad intelligence of the death of Rudolph Asper in the hospital at Nashville. It is in the Nashville paper of yesterday morning. We do not know any of the particulars. We left him there with the measles and he appeared to be better when we came away. The rest of us are well. Crumb came here last night; he is nearly well, but some weak. There is not much sickness here now. There have been four deaths since we came here, of soldiers that were here when we came here.

There is nothing of any importance going on here. They keep a line of pickets all around us. I have not been on pickets yet, nor any of our boys, but we have been on fatigue duty one day, moving a building, and two days in the woods after saw logs. The boys are mostly busy building cabins. The encampment has the appearance of quite of a village, built with the streets running parallel with each other. Each company on one side of a street and the officers and tents at the head of their companies. Capt. Reinniger has been appointed Provost Marshal of this post, and therefore Lieutenant Folsom has the command of this company. His office does not appear to stick him up. He tries to explain everything in drilling the best he can, and is not hard on the boys. We do almost as we please. We cannot pass the picket line without leave and have to attend roll call at daylight and have to drill most every day, two hours every day in the forenoon and two in the afternoon. We have had to cook our victuals, but the company cooks are a-going to cook for us now. I believe Charles Palmiter of Bradford, Mrs. Babcock's son, is boss cook for this company. We have plenty of good salt pork and some beef, and some hard tack and corn meal. We make mush and get the darkies to bake some Johnny cake or hoe cake, and most every day, we draw two-thirds of a loaf of bread. We got coffee, tea, and sugar. The conveniences for writing are very poor. We have no tables and no room for them. The boys have not got all of their cabins done and we are pretty thick. We do not know anything about how long we shall stay here or where we shall go when we do leave here. I have not got any letters but the one Egburt brought, and I begin to feel anxious to learn about your circumstances and if you have got that money and the blankets and was there some hard crackers. They are not as good as some we have. Dear Wife, write as often as you can all that you can. Have you heard from Lewis yet or any of the rest of the eastern folks, and how do you get along? Is Martin a-going to work the place? I think you had better not get any broke this spring, help is so scarce; get rails of Gideon to build the fence round that I broke by moving that old fence. It will not take many. How does father's thumb get along, and how is all of the folks? Tell them to write me.

Dear, it does seem a long time since I have seen you, but the time moves very slowly. Dear, I still love you and think of you day and night and pray that you may have strength to bear your hard burdens that I have forced upon you. It seems to me as if my home is next to paradise; if only I could be there and stay surrounded by my family, it seems as if I would be perfectly happy, yet I pray that I may have strength to do my whole duty and that a kind and merciful father will watch over me and my family. Dear, keep up good spirits and tell the dear little ones that pa wants them to be good and love Ma and mind her and love and pray for Pa and he will come home as soon as he can. What do they say and does that little one walk or talk? Press them to your heart and kiss them often for me. Tell them it is for Pa and tell them to kiss you for Pa. Forgive me if you can for being unworthy companion. May God bless and protect you all. Good bye.
CT Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

To paper a few moments of my time in conversation with loved ones, though many miles away. We are in good health, all of us. The weather is cold here. Ice froze quite thick here last night in our wash dish, and there is now and then a snow flake flying. Hiram got a letter the 14th. That is the only one of us that received a letter. If any one of the folks are sick at home, I guess Martha would have written. She wrote that all of them but her, Tina Asper, and Mrs. Robinson received the money and therefore I concluded that you have got the money that I sent. How much did it cost you? Have you got the note of J. R. McNabb and have you got the pay on it? Try Hiram Rosecrans. John said that Hi was a-doing business for him and he would pay it. Try him pretty hard. If you can't get it without throw of the interest. I have not spent any money since I have been in Tennessee. I have got five dollars yet. Some of the boys spend some considerable. Crackers are 25 cents per pound, butter 60, cheese 35, eggs 40 cents, needles 15 cents per paper. I have got plenty of needles and pins. There was quite an excitement here yesterday. A company of guerrillas attacked a wagon train of supplies and goods for some negro troops, and captured several wagons and some negroes and two white men, one a member of this company. They are four or five miles from here. They sent out twenty men from here and some of the negroes escaped and ran their mules in to a place where one company of this regiment is stationed to guard a mill and they threw some soldiers on the mules and sent them in pursuit of them. There was about thirty of the guerrillas and it is expected that they will be overhauled. Since writing the above I have heard the truth of the adventure. Two of our men went out on horses, unarmed, in search of a cow that belonged to the hospital. They stopped at a house about two miles from here and went in and 18 rebs came upon them and started with them. John Parrish was driving a team and was coming along and the woman of the house came and stopped him and told him that the rebs had just gone from her house with two of our men. It was near our picket line and he went back to the first port and sent a man into camp and then we sent the men in search.

The rebs went seven or eight miles and came on to a quarter master and a lieutenant with a foraging party. They were ahead of the party which was composed of negroes and the officers were taken, but the darkies saw them soon enough to unhitch their mules and get out of the way. Soon the 9th Ohio Cavalry came along and then the rebs had to run. The Ohio boys sent three companies with fresh horses after them and our two men escaped in the chase and when last heard from at ten last night the Ohio's were close upon them and giving them a lift in the rear. The Ohio's sent one company each side of the road to cut them off and one behind them. There were more of the rebs not far off but they will have to leave for awhile. We have to drill four hours each day, but today it was cold for them that had no mittens or gloves. I got me a pair of buckskin gloves at Davenport.

How often do you write? I write two letters a week, and sometimes more. Dear, letters from you would do me a great deal of good. I don't know whether mine does you any good or not. A letter from you would be the next thing to seeing you, my dear and much loved wife. If I was contrary and cross when at home, I loved you and still love you better than anything in this world and want you to forgive me if you can and love me. Oh Dear, how I should love to come home long enough even to get one kiss from you and the dear little ones. It would do me so much good. Dear, I love you and think of you and the dear little children and shall as long as life shall last. How do the children get along? Are you and the children well and do you fare hard and have a hard time to get along? I know it is hard for you all to live alone, but our country must be defended, it seems like fighting for home, wife, and children. Oh dear, pray for me that I may have strength to do my whole duty. Kiss the children round for me. Tell them it is from Pa. Tell them to be good and learn to pray for Pa and to mind Ma. When Rich comes over, get all of your likenesses taken, if you can and it don't cost too much, in a cheap case and sent it to me, C.T. Ackley; Company B; 7th Iowa Infantry.

From your unworthy but affectionate husband,
He wrote the following letter²¹ (No date, no heading, no greeting B but below it is dated March 17th, and these early references to getting no pay indicates this is from 1864, which would place him in Prospect TN)

...the mail came in before I put my letter in the office and it was my good luck to get a long looked for letter. It was a most welcome visitor. I will assure you it found us all well. The most of the boys got one also. About the blankets you may one dollars(?), the box that had blankets and clothes was Baker's and if the charges were nearly 9 on one box perhaps you will have to 50 cts more but find if the charges were more than one box and write to me and don't pay more than $1 till you find the particulars and write to me and I will tell you what to do then.

That Skinner land, father and I thought that Prescott had offered enough and said let him have it. They can get more land. Tell them to find who redeemed the land of G's and perhaps they can buy it cheap. They can get Hintly or Montague to write to the owner about it. I have not got an allotment ticket yet. The officers at Davenport thought is was the time to do it at the regiment and I shall try it in the morning if I can see the captin. They have not been here long enough to get settled. It is uncertain when I shall get any pay. If we stay here long enough we shall get it the next pay day. If Bedell is a going to want the money when it is due you had better pay it or a part of it; if he will wait by paying part do it. Maybe we shall get money before it is due. The taxes are not much and Montague said it would not make any difference if that interest was not paid and you need not hurry about that till you get more money. I thought if we got that land of C I would get some money of Job or some of the other boys the next pay. Find out what the taxes are on that land if it is not redeemed. If you can't send any other way write to John Montague and he will send you how much it is or he will tell you about anything else you want to know of business at the county seat.

March 17th I have seen the captain this morning and he is going to send for allotments tickets and I can have some of my money home as I am a mind to. I guess that I will keep about ten percent of my pay and if it is more than I want I can send it in a letter, if nothing happens. I shant want much money and it may be sometime before we get any pay and when we get the first payment it will be sent to you regular every pay day, sent in a check from Washington. Now about that cooking. I only cooked about a week while at Davenport and if I had stayed I should cooked longer. I had no other duty to do, not even to answer to my name at roll call, and could set up as long as I had a mind to and have all the candles I wanted to burn. Others could not. The lights had to be put out at the tap of the drum about nine o'clock, but it had nothing to do with the cooks or kitchen. We could hasten everybody out and read and write as long as we was a mind to, but that is past. Yet we can sit up as late as we are a mind to here, but we can't get candles. We burnt a slat and wrote til 10 last. I got about two dollars extra at Davenport for the week that I cooked.

I think Martin does want a good bargain, but he must move the fence and thrash the grain and harvest the corn. Have that that is not plowed in the South East corner to corn if he can. Tell him to get out as much manure on it as he is a mind to. I don't expect he will have much time. He will fit your potatoe ground or maybe you can get Sherman to do some team work for you and to plant your potatoes and your cane. You may do as you are mind to about letting Skinner know that I am not there. You can sign my name and under it say per E.D. Ackley. You must charge him as much as $5.00, half at the first payment and 1/2 at the next.

Private, that was marked, thus no one shall hear a lisp from me and I will burn that part of the letter. Write in your next who was the war widows are that are interested about not wanting too many long letters. The oftener and the longer the better. My love to you and the dear little ones. How does the stock get along? Will the cows come in soon? You can put the calves in where the yearlings stayed. Answer. Now it is drill time. Good bye.
----C. T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife and children,

Once more I take pen in hand to pen you a few uninteresting lines to inform you that although I am absent, yet I an not unmindful of the loved ones at home and that I am still thinking of the absent ones at home. Dear Wife, I love you and feel lonely at heart although surrounded by a variety of companions and I often feel sad to think that I did not fully appreciate at all times the true value of the priceless treasure that I possessed in the companion that a kind parent had given me. But, Dear One, I love you above all earthly beings and hope you will forgive all the unkindnesses that I have shown towards you. I remember that it was not for the want of love, but through the weakness of the flesh. I am well at present and all of the boys are the same, for which we should be thankful to our heavenly father and I do feel thankful and praise his holy name for the mercies he is hourly bestowing on as unworthy being as I am. The weather is not very warm for this country as I supposed, yet the inhabitants say it is about as usual.

There is not much going on here at present. The 16th I went out on a foraging expedition. There was about forty of us and we went about seven miles and crossed the Alabama line and we took about twenty head of cattle for beef. We saw no hostile foes, yet we saw quite a number of inhabitants. Some of them say they have been in the rebel army and deserted. They are a rather hard looking men and women, take them all together. Some of them live in houses that are not hardly chinked, and they set around the fire with their blankets around them as you did when it was 44 degrees colder than it was here.

There was a prisoner captured here yesterday morning. He was a'sneaking around our pickets and acted as if he wanted to dodge them, and they halted him and he was unarmed and said he was a deserter from the rebs, that he left them in Georgia and he lived in east Tennessee, about 100 miles from here and that he was afraid to stay there for fear of the conscription and that he had friends in Alabama and he was a'going there and they told him the conscript was worse in Alabama and he said he thought youans (?) had got down in there. His story does not hang together. It changes as different men question him. It is supposed that he is a spy or a straggler from More's Guerillas, as they are hanging around. They are the ones that I wrote about in my last letter that took two of our men and they escaped and the cavalry that pursued them captured two of them and there was several of them taken North on the cars yesterday morning that were taken south of us. The one that was caught is here yet. I don't know what they will do with him.

We are a'going to leave here in a few days. We are a'going back to Pulaski and the brigade are a'going to get together and drill. It consists of five regiments, the (Iowa) 7th, 2nd, 52nd Illinois, 66th Indiana and a regiment of Illinois sharp shooters. I want to write to some of our eastern friends if I can today. I would write to John if I knew he had not gone from there, but I guess I shall write to him. Have you heard from any of them? If you get a letter from Jim's folks or any of the rest of them, write to me where they are. I have had two letters from you, one by Egbert and the other was mailed the 8th of this month and marked No. 4. I forgot to number all of mine, and I will number this one 5, but I think I have written more than that by nearly twice. Did you count that one that Egbert (sent)? If you did there is two out yet, but I look for one tonight. The mail comes in every night about sundown if nothing happens to the cars. Sometimes they miss by running off the track, but they are quite regular now. They run to the Tennessee River to Decatur 35 miles south of here. General Dodge commands this division and General Sweeney is a Brigadeer over us. He is at Pulaski and has lost one arm. Dodge is at Athens 15 miles south or at Decatur. He has been here several times. He is a common farmer looking man.


Today Elburn is three years old, the little white head. Does he love his pa, and is he a good boy and does he wear his pants all of the time? Did he get that pocket book and money, and what did he say about it? Emmerson is one year and nine months and one day. I have a glass marble I would send to him if I could. Leanora is almost five. Does she learn to read and is she a good girl? I will send her something when I can get anything to send. How I should like to see you all! Kiss the children all round for me and tell them to be good children, mind Ma and love Pa and be good to their brother and sister. Dear, here is the deepest love to you. Pray for your unworthy husband that he may march along for God, home, and our country, and be faithful in all the duties that falls to his lot. Write often and direct (to) C. T. Ackley; Company B, 7th Infantry; Pulaski, Tennessee. Write as often as twice a week or oftener.
C. T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,
I received a letter from you last night, dated February 21st to 29th. Although behind the one I received a few days ago, yet it was read with pleasure. The age did not destroy the interest, because it was written by the most loved one about those that are very dear to my heart, and in answer to it, in the first place, although it had been some time since you received a letter , yet it was not my want of love to you. I love you with my whole heart and pray that our heavenly father will be near you and keep you as under the shadow of his Almighty arm, that you may be kept from harm and danger and have strength to rely wholly on him for strength to bear your heavy burdens of live and the duties that are devolving on you. As regards my making a contract to write to the dear ones that are far away and in loneliness may pine, ask me to eat when hungry. I have written as often as twice a week and sometimes oftener. I intended to number all of my letters but moving and changing and bustling so much I have not done it - but when at Davenport I got 33 stamps and now have 15 and have written only three letters except to you, one to E. O. Dodge, one to Father, one to John. I wrote one to you yesterday and now I guess you will get tired of reading these dry epistles. Pray for me and ask the church that what the Sprague says may not come upon me and I will pray for myself.

Tell Leanora Pa is glad she is smart and helps Ma, and she must be good. She may kiss all of you for Pa. Their writing was highly edifying. Let them write, the little precious ones, often. Tell Nora that she must learn to read and then she can learn to write as good as Ma. The war is not over yet; there will be some hard fighting, but it is getting cornered but will perhaps hold out till the election and if old Abe is elected they will be apt to simmer down. We shall leave here in a few days. We go from here back to Pulaski, will get together and prepare for the front. It would do me a great deal of good if I could see you, but I know it will be some time before that happy event and I try to content myself as best I can. That Mortgage is at St. Charles. I made an assignment of it to you and left it and paid for recording it and told them to keep it till it was called for by you. It is safe there. The prisoner that was taken a few days ago is here yet. He is young, 17 or 18 years old. I don't know what will be done with him. The weather is rather cold. Our fingers got cold on the drill, and I had buckskin gloves on. It froze some last night. The wind blows from the north.

My paper is rather dirty. It blowed out of my lap into tobacco spit and I told Joe he must spit in the fire when he comes into our house. He said he would. He does not stay with us. Egbert, Aaron, Judson, and myself are together; Sours, Clay, and Crumb together. We are all well and Crumb would like to have some of his folks write to him and if you see any of them tell them to write to him. Write as soon as you can and as often as you can and as much.

How do the cows, calves, and hogs get along? How do you get along doing the chores and taking care of so many babies? Kiss them and tell them Pa loves them and wants them to be good children, mind Ma, and love and be good to each other and love Pa and pray for him. I am out of material to write you. Have thought so some time and I will wait till night when the mail comes in as this letter won't leave till 9 in the morning. The train came in while we were on Dress Parade, which commences at 5 p.m. and lasts nearly an hour, and it was kind enough to fetch a letter from the dear ones at home. It is older than the one that I got last week but it is new to me and read with a great deal of interest. I don't know but it was as good to me as if I had not got one later for it is full of news to me and it bears the impress of my dear wife. I am well.

I wrote that we were a'going to go back to Pulaski but the order is countermanded and we are to stay here some time yet, until the brigade is sent to the front. When we were coming they called Pulaski the front, but we are 15 miles south of there and are some ways from the front. On the train tonight there was 11 cars, box cars filled and the top was covered with soldiers and one passenger car full. I have not yet heard what regiment it was. While I am writing a man came around selling the poetical history of the 7th regiment Iowa Infantry, and I gave 25 cts for one and when I read it I shall send it to you. It is getting dark and I shall have to wait till we light up [Ed's. note: The rest of this letter is missing or mistakenly identified...]
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I returned from Pulaski last night and received a letter from you dated March 9th to 13th. You may rest assured that it is a welcome visitor, as (are) all letters. It was interesting and all letters from you are. They bring tidings of the dear loved ones far away and bring us as near face to face as it is possible to be when separated by so many long miles. It has not stormed here for almost a week. It freezes every night and when we first came here it stormed almost half of the time. I have shelter: a log cabin 10 feet square and Judd, Dock and Egbert and your unworthy husband. It is covered with shakes and has a fire place in it. We can keep warm if is very cold and it is not. The time is long and moves very slowly. We count it by the month and we have 33 and a little more to serve. Don't it shorten up some? It will not be over 33 months when you get this. It is a big hill to climb, but we will try to stand the storm being assured that we shall anchor bye and bye.

I like to have you write what comes into your head. You need not be afraid of my sending you any of my money till I get some more, yet I have not spent but 50 cents since I have been in Tennessee. You had better offer that note to Hi as quick as you can before he gets his business all settled. I am glad that I just (got?) such a dear wife as I did and I love her better than I can to (say?). Tell Leanora Pa is glad his dear little girl learns to read and that she has learned a verse. Tell her to learn more and repeat them to S. School. Tell her that Pa wants her to be pure and good and wants her to pray for him that he may be pure and return home to his wife and children. I am glad Elburn is a Union boy, and I want him to be a good boy, good to Ma, Nora, and Emmerson. The little one can walk. I should like to get ahold of him. I would smack his bill and spank him some. I guess I should like to see you all, yet there is work to be done and duty calls me to take hold. You can pray God to guide and protect me through the rough road to the end. Let the little ones write some to Pa. I am sorry Nora has such boils and swelling. Tell her to be careful and let Ma do them up. I have a coarse comb and a fine one that has the teeth in one side besides the one you sent. I thank you for it.

If Prescott has that wagon charge him 25 cents a day where he has it and if he brings it home and comes after it only when he uses it all day, charge him more, and if he goes off on the road charge him 50 cents a day. If he don't pay that he need not have it. If he keeps it steady, 25 will do very (well?), but when he let his wagon for all day he had 50 cents. What is grain there now? Letter paper of this size is 35 cents a quire, large paper 40, ink 10 cents. I have paper that I brought with me. Star candles 50 cents per pound. I have not enquired the price of anything much. Eggs 25 cents, butter 60 cents. The prisoner that I wrote about in my letter turned out to be a deserter from a Union regiment, a Tennessee regiment, and he was sent off yesterday. The old Reb General Forest is not far from here, with 5000 or 6000 men. The 9th Illinois mounted infantry crossed the Tennessee River and were driven back and General Dodge sent them reinforcements. Two companies of our regiment were sent away after dark last night to reinforce some other place. There is seven companies here and a good stockade and a fort on a high hill, and we had orders last night to have 60 rounds of ammunition and be prepared for a fight in case of necessity but we have heard nothing since. You will find this rather dirty and poorly written, but you will consider that we have no table and not much room and that full of boys and the dust a blowing. That big house that Judd wrote about was at Nashville. It is a new brick house that covers half an acre. It's five stories high and contains 360 rooms and some of them large at that. It was commenced before the war and the inside is not finished and the U.S. took possession of it and use it for a barracks for soldiers.


We had no officers with us and they sent us from Davenport in care of Lieut. Colonel Henderson of the 10th Iowa and his regiment was at Chattanooga and he left us there and went off and we could not get out or anything else and we thought that the veterans had got to Pulaski and we sent a letter to Captain Reinniger and he was not there but the 52d Illinois came along and they belonged to our division and they let us come with them. We stayed in Nashville four days. They call the house the Folicoffer House. We call it a prison. I got a letter last night from Lou Inman. We are all well. Crumb has got two letters from his folks lately. Soldiering is not too hard yet, if it was not for the separation from you, my dear beloved wife and the little lambs. Still continue to pray for me, and I will for myself and you. Answer soon, and remember your unworthy husband. Kiss all round for me. Good bye.
C.T. Ackley

I send you an envelop with full directions. You can put on Via Nashville or not as you are a mind.
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,
With pleasure I seize my pen to hold a few moments of sweet converse with my dear wife and children. This date finds me enjoying the great blessing of health and all of the boys from Marble Rock (are also). The weather is quite warm, yet there was a frost last night. Yesterday I done my first picket duty. I had to stand two hours and off four. It was a pleasant place, about a half mile from camp on a high rocky bluff with the river rolling at the foot with a splendid view of the country up the river, which is nearly east and also of the opposite side of the river and surrounded by a beautiful cedar grove and we had a cedar bough tent and cedar boughs to lay on. There was three picket guards on this post and the most of the time a corporal. He had two posts to attend to. The others were all strangers too. Yet I had books to read and wrote a letter to Alonzo Inman in answer to one that I got from him the same day that I got one from you last.

I answered your letter immediately and to fulfill my promise and spend a few moments of pleasure in writing to you again, although I have not got any from you that are not answered and there being nothing doing out of the ordinary routine of duty, this will of necessity be a dry epistle, yet you will be satisfied that I still bear you in mind constantly. Oh, yes, Dear One, you may perhaps think that as I am surrounded with a variety of company that I do not sigh for my dear beloved companion or precious children, yet it is so. If I could come home in upon you at home it would be the highest earthly bliss. As to my getting smutty, I have yet to see the darkey that has much resemblance to a woman. It is sickening to see some of the soldiers hang around their quarters. Sometimes the further I am from them the better. I feel I had rather put my arms around our cows' necks by a thousand fold than one of them, yet enough of this.

You will think your letter was not very welcome, yet it was and I want you to write just what you are a mind to and if such writing hurts me, it will be when I am not fit to call as pure and precious being as you are an acquaintance. Before that time the dirt of the earth will cover me in a long embrace.

Since my last I have been out on a foraging expedition for fodder for the mules and horses. We had with us four six-mule and one four-mule teams and we loaded them with oats in the sheaf and corn fodder which consists in the leaves of the corn being pulled off in the fall where it is green and finding it in bundles and stacking it one place. Where we went the man was in the field and the woman, about the big of Mrs. Judd, was almost scared to death; at least she said so. The major rode up the house followed by three more men on horseback and the teams with a guard of 20 men. She said he had turned all the corn he could spare to the government. Major told her he did not want corn but a stack of fodder. She said they had none to spare and asked if she (could) send for her man and the major told her, of course, and he would like to see him and it was not long before he was there, but not before the fodder was loaded. He thought it was hard because he had always been a Union man, had taken oaths and voted by Andy Johnson. The major told him it was hard, yet our teams and horses must not starve. He had a lot of corn that he did not touch at this time, but may hereafter, and we only took one good load and he had some more in his buildings. They said they had been plundered by both armies, and I guess they had. Their principle living and all of the inhabitants is corn meal and they bake it in a spider or bake kettle without any shortening and they call them corn pones.

Dear, write as soon as you can. Write all you can write as if you was talking to me at home. Let the little busy fingers write some when you can. Tell them Pa wants to see them bad, but he can't now. Tell them he wants them to be good so that Ma can write to Pa that she has good children at home. Kiss them well and often for me. Tell them Pa expects to fight the naughty rebels. Pray for me dearest, that for God and country I may truly realize that it is for God and humanity and justice and also for my dear ones at home, for what will home be if the cruel rebellion is not put down? I get some sight of the desolation that would prevail throughout our whole country by passing through this. I send you a history of the 7th (Iowa) by this mail. I send you some scraps in this; the one paragraph that I marked would apply to me if I could return home. Good bye.

C.T. Ackley

He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

Once more I take my pen in hand to scratch you a few lines. I got a letter from you last night, finished the 20th on the birthday of the dear little white-headed Union boy. How I should like to see you all. I am well at this time and pray that God is blessing you with the same. It is cool here now and we had a big rain Monday night. It blowed hard and our house leaked some at first, but we soon stopped that. Aaron was on picket that night but they had some shelter.

You said you did not know what to write, but (just write ) what comes into your mind and it will be interesting. You are right; anything from home is indeed interesting. My dear, I do not get discouraged if I don't get letters every time I look for one, or lay it to neglect. No, I know something of what you have to do. Write as often as you can and as much as you can. The letter I got last night was No. 6. I guess I have got 6 from you. Dear I know you did miss me. I asked you, to see what you would say and because I did not (know?) what to write, yet 'tis an assurance most dear to know that this moment my loved are saying I wish he were here. But there is one thing that I rather that you would not write, and that is that you were mean to me when at home, for it was not so. According to my recollection you was ever loving and kind, yet I was the not kind and loving husband that I might (have been) and that you deserved. But dear loved one, forgive me and bear in mind it was through ignorance, and know that I love you with my whole heart and the hardest part of a soldier's life so far in my case is leaving you and the little ones and being long separated therefrom. Tell R and Maria that I am afraid they are coppery, raising all girls when soldiers are so much needed. What Nora sends is good enough to send several times. Have her and Elburn send something often as they can, and the wee one; I should like to see him trot around and sing his song. What is Nora doing with the calico Mrs. Gates gave her? You had better have some doctor look at Emmerson's head. If Rust comes over, he can cure it. I guess maybe Elder Inman can do something for it. Try him if you can't see Rust. It has been so long it ought to be stopped if possible.

The soldier that died in Dubuque with the small pox, his name was Hemingway. He was at the Soldier's Home and I was there every day. They thought he had measles till after I had been gone several days. I shall be vaccinated if I get a chance. You say you was selfish in writing what you wrote in the letter you sent by Burt, but I beg to differ with you, my dear, in that. If not, write your care to me. How would you relieve your mind. You say your care is nothing to me, but, Dear, it is everything to me as I am the cause of the greatest share of it and ought to relieve you, if in my power. Oh, if I could be with you when the little ones are in bed, it would be the happiest hour of my life. Although I have spent many happy hours with you, yet I did know how to prize the treasure that I held in yourself. It is this separation that opens my eyes and I hope and pray that if I am spared to come back to you, that I may be a husband much more worthy than I have been in my selfishness of so bright and pure a treasure as my own dear wife.

Time moves on although slow and now I have only 33 months to serve, yet seems 333. It looks so long to look ahead, but we must keep up good spirits and look to God continually to give us strength and patience that we may do his will and never murmur at his providences. I know you will be a good wife and may be a good soldier's wife that depends on me some. I think I feel thankful towards yourself and the church for their prayers for as unworthy being as your humble husband. Perhaps you could get one of Mrs. Holsted's girls if you have flax to spin, and while the calves are small get someone to help you if you can so as not to make yourself sick.

The peach trees are in bloom. The apple trees are not. There is not many apple trees in this country, but peaches are very plenty. The face of the country is rougher if possible than York state and the folks and houses worse. The land is mostly yellow clay and stony. The roads are far the worse I ever saw. As to the fare, we get enough to eat, meat generally, plenty salt pork that is good and sometimes fresh pork and fresh beef, generally good bread. [Ed's. note: This is one of several letters which was not signed, suggesting there may have been another page - or perhaps the author intended to add more later and just never did.]



He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

Once more I take the passing moments to write to you. This date finds me still blessed with health and all of the boys the same and I pray that you and the dear children are enjoying the same blessing. The weather is warmer than it has been and it has rained considerable the past week, but it is clear and pleasant this holy Sabbath morning. I intended to write to you yesterday, but the 31st I was on picket and the 1st I went to guard a train to mill five or six miles northeast and did not get back till yesterday and therefore I did not get time to write yet. I answered your letter the 30th filling my promise of writing twice a week, but I don't mean to stop at that, always when I have any news and time to write. My letters are very stale and uninteresting now.

Thursday I was on duty patrolling the road south of this place. I with one other man had to go two miles on the road before the cars came in to see that the rebs did not interfere with the road, at 2 o'clock pm and 6 am the first. We were to go at 2 in the morning and the officers failed to give us the countersign and we could not pass the pickets and we had to wait till morning and we was glad of it. It was as dark as pitch and rained. I got up at half past one and woke the man that was to go with me and we had no countersign and we went to bed and slept till morning and then we went out.

When we went out the first time the 31st at 2 o'clock pm we went about a quarter of a mile from the road to house and it was owned by a woman. She was about 40 and said she has never been married. She had a darkey man and women, and her sister lived in one part of the house and her (sister's) husband was in the Reb army and she was not at home and the old maid looked some scared to see two men with guns and bayonets, but she asked us to sit down and we did and sat about an hour. She said if she was a man and had to go in the army, she would go with the Yankees for they fared better, had more to eat and better clothes than the Rebs, and the Yankees could send letters to their friends and get answer to them, but her brother-in-law in the Reb army had been gone almost a year, that they had never got a letter from him. They heard once he was in a hospital somewhere, but they don't know anything of him or his whereabouts.

You can see there is quite an item difference. You can get letters from me, as unworthy as I am, and I am happy to receive letters from my dearly loved wife and the precious children.

She said if the niggers were free she would not hire one of them to work for her and one of her neighbors, a woman that was a cripple, had a lot of niggers and now she could not get them to do a hands turn for her but she still fed them. One mulatto girl that she raised and had kept her a lady to wait on her and travel with her now would not make her bed for her. I told her it was right, that they had worked hard all of their life for what they got to eat and wear and drink, and now they could get anything and they was a going to board it out. They could not make them work if they were not a mind to, and if they would not hire them the best we could tell them was that they would have to do their own work.

Miss Davis was the old maid's name. Said one of her neighbors left some butter for her to sell to the soldiers and wanted us to buy it . Her wench brought it out. It was white greasy looking stuff. Ford told here it was white. She said it was better than the yellow stuff that the sutter kept, his was so old it had turned yellow, that good new butter never looked yellow. What do you think, can you make good white butter when the cows get grass? This woman's cows lived on grass. Miss Davis lives in a big double log house without any windows, and doors in each part, and a small hole in one end with a trap door and no stoves. They most all use fireplaces. I have not seen a cooking stove since I have been here. Where I went to mill I eat supper with the miller and we had fresh fish, coffee, Johnny cake, and mush and milk, the first I have had since I left home and we slept in the mill on the floor with our blankets. [Ed's. note: This letter, too, ended with no closing.]



He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife, an other letter is begun to the dear ones at home, although I have no news to write. I have only to tell that we are all well. I say "we" because I mean all from Marble Rock. I hope these few lines, although uninteresting, may find you all enjoying the greatest blessing of our father in heaven, good health, and I can truly say my dear one that I love you still with all my heart and hope that God will encircle you with the arms of his love and I pray that you may receive strength day by day to do his will and rely wholly in his arm and be able to bear the heavy burdens that are laid upon you. You are constantly in my mind and the little ones.

How I should love to see you all, but I have a duty to perform, for what would wife, children, and home be without Government and wholesome laws to protect us, and someone has to leave home and dear friends, and the sacrifice should not be felt so large by us. Pray that we may have strength to come up to the help of the lord against the mighty. It is for God and our country we are marching along. The weather was rainy yesterday and we did not have to drill, and we washed our clothes, but Tuesday we have to go at it for certain. In my last [letter] I told you that we thought of staying here till the fourth of July, but we can put no confidence in that. Our Captain R. says perhaps that we shall leave here for the south in two or three weeks, so you see we [don't?] know what we are to do or where to go or when, but I hope I am ready and prepared to do my duty.

Soldiers are going both ways on the railroad. Some are going home on furlough to be transferred as they say, and some returning, going to the front. There is no fighting as I know of in front of us. Sherman has been down into the country of the rebs and destroyed railroads, mills, bridges, and military stores and cotton of immense value. That is a severe blow to the rebs, although nearly bloodless, yet he took a number of prisoners and 12,000 contraband, 12,000 horses, 72 mules, 400 wagons, and of course brought them in loaded, but you perhaps read all this in the papers. Deserters come into camp often; a few days ago two came in and wanted like the bath and were sent to headquarters at Pulaski, Tennessee. They said two companies and one regiment got permits to come north of the Tennessee River, then they left for the Yankees and hardly any of them went back to the rebs.

Although there is not much fighting, yet things look favorable for the triumph of the right. We are organizing, concentrating, and preparing upon the rebels, and Arkansas has voted to comply with Abe's orders and come into the Union, by 10,000 majority, and likewise Tennessee. Since we have been here they are dropping in one by one and by and by there will be none left and the rebs' army will consist of raving guerillas and then it will not take long to use them up. Some of our pickets thought that there was some around Saturday night. They halted them and could hear nothing and once they heard a gun snap and they discharged a gun in that direction and then it was still and after that a cow came along and did not stop when halted and received the contents of a gun.

As I have no news and the cars have come, I will wait to see if I get any letters or news. Welcome letters, the cars were kind enough to bring me two letters from my dear wife. It rejoices my heart greatly to hear you was getting along well as you are, yet I am sorry about that little Emmerson's head. Did Dr. Rust think he can help it? The dear little one. He knows nothing about his pa that loves him so dearly, does he dear? When he can talk and understand, you must tell him about his pa.

How I would love to be with you all, but separation is better than slavery. How could we enjoy ourselves if we expected and feared each day that we should be torn from each other and our precious children from us and be sold into slavery, or that we had no laws to protect us, but in this country as pretty children as ours, have been leading a life of slavery and degradation. I have not seen any white ones that had been sold, but some of the soldiers have. They are pretty black here. They are all glad to be free. They are not afraid of a master or overseer's whip. There is a company of colored soldiers one mile from here near the saw mill.

I got two letters from you in this mail, numbers 7 and 8 mailed the 28th and 29th. Although I have written to you in reference to having the money paid at home, you ask if I were afraid you would do as you said you would. Yes, I was always afraid you would tell the truth and I never was afraid you would do wrong. You may be assured that I shall send home all that I can and I have no fears but you will make good use of it as if I was there and better. [Ed's. note: This letter ends abruptly; perhaps a page was lost over the years...]


He wrote the following letter²¹
Dear Wife,

How are you getting along, and how are the little ones? I am well at this date, and all of the boys, and I hope and pray you are the same. I have nothing of account to write but I thought I would redeem my promise and you would be looking for your dues. My dear it gives me much pleasure to read letters penned by your dear hands, and I love to write to you also, but it bothers me for anything to write much when I have written to you. I have not received a letter from you and there is nothing of any importance going on here, but I write today simply to let you know I have not forgotten you and that I love you with all my heart, and the dear children also, and if it is not interesting for the want of news, it is not my fault and you will accept it as a token of love and esteem and as a surety that your unworthy and sometimes unkind husband still loves you more than all earthly beings and it would do me the most good of anything to see or to be home with you, yet I am not discouraged.

A soldier's life so far is not hard and if it was not for the separation from the dear ones at home, I could enjoy myself. Well, as it is I think it is all for the best and in god's own time we shall be united again and be happier for the separation, although it does seem that I was really happy when in our home surrounded by the dear loved ones who are now left alone. But, dear loved ones, keep up good spirits and ever bear in mind that you are ever in my thoughts and receive my hearts prayers that God will be nigh unto you and give you health and strength to bear your heavy burdens and look aloft continually for from thence is your only life support. A short time ago I commenced reading in the bible in two different places and since I have read Nehemiah Ester the most of Job and the whole of Matthew and have read some other books.

The troops are passing to the front quite lively. Today there was two trains of cars and they were heavily loaded with soldiers, some black and some white. They were thick on top of the cars. I did not learn what regiments they were. When the cars go north they generally have rebs on, either prisoners or deserters, and sometimes both. By our men piling in and fetching the rebs out, looks like using up the rebellion. Although there is no very exciting campaigns going on, they are getting together a large army and will soon enter into a vigorous campaign and then confederacy stand from under [??]. The 7th of this month five regiments of soldiers came here and stayed all night and camped over the river and left the next morning. There was the 17th New York zenaves [??] (some of them Billy Wilson's plug uglies) and part of two more joined in one of the 25th Indiana, 32nd and 35th Wisconsin and the 35th New Jersey, and there was the 2nd Illinois Battery, and a hundred or over six- mule teams. It made quite a string. They had been marching two or three months and had [come?] several hundred miles. They were foot sore and dusty but they were in good spirits and ready for fight anytime.

The zenaves were fantastically dressed; they had on caps that were once red but are faded and dusty and the shape of a bladder with a tassel on the top, and their jackets with red braid and their pants gathered at the ankles. They looked nice once, but now they look hard. Part of them were the remains of the old regiments that Elsworth raised and commanded. Today we had a general inspection. The inspector was a stranger from General Dodge's headquarters, and he did not find any fault with anything of the boys from Marble Rock. We had to take our guns, knapsacks, haversacks, canteens, and with clean clothes in our sacks we went out at ten and came in at two and then he and the adjutant and Lieutenant Folsom came around to inspect our quarters. He said our cabin was small but quite cozy, but the door was too low for him. He had to make his manners to get in. Aron and I was writing to our better halves. Judd was sitting on the bunk. Egburt was out. We had to arise and take the position of a soldier and salute him, by bringing our right hands up in front of the right eye with the back of the hand in.

Now, my dear, this is rather a silly letter, yet is from one who dearly loves you and wants you to love and write him often. Kiss Leanora and Elburn and Emmerson and tell them pa loves them and wants them to be good children and love Ma and Pa and pray for your unworthy but faithful and affectionate husband.

C. T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ My dear beloved wife,

Once more my heart is made to leap with joy by receiving a letter from you, filled with good news of you being blessed with good health, and the precious little children. Also it does me a great deal of good to get a letter from you, more than anything else in the world except seeing you face to face, and as I can't do that now, I will try to content myself as much as I can perusing the precious lines penned by one so dearly loved as you, my dear wife.

Did you have a good visit over to I. Inmans and what did you give Nancy for staying with you? You will see my writing is very poor, but I hope you can read it. When I was at home, I thought I could not write at all with the accommodations we have here but I am getting used to it now. I gave five cents for four pens a few days ago, and today I bought two quires of paper for 70 cents. This is some of it. I thought I would get a good lot while they had plenty.

I have written to John and it is time he answered it if he is a going to. I shall write to some more of them when I can and see if I can get a letter from some one. I guess I shall write to Uncle George. I guess he will write.

We are all well at this date, and I pray that God will still continue to bless you with the same. There is no small pox in this vicinity as I know of, but I guess I shall get vaccinated again as soon as I can. Be as careful with the children as you can, while it is working on them.

If you can and want to, go to the Lodge, but I know you can be beat in going anywhere by some sister-in-law and other ways, except in being a kind, affectionate wife and a good mother to the dear little ones, and in that you beat them all clear out of sight. Are the meetings well attended and how does Josephine Epram and the rest of the dancing members get along? I have heard no preaching since I was in Nashville. There is no chaplin here, yet. They say they expect Elder Nitted to be the chaplin and they look for him here soon.

You say you know I am edified with all that you write and it is true. What we might think very simple if I was there is very edifying and more, too. Write what comes in your head and it will be more interesting to me than if the muse had control of the pen. If you could write nothing but that you loved me, it would still be a very interesting epistle. It is old and yet tis new and can never wear out, although constantly repeated by 10,000 tongues. Hearts that are true hearts never grow old. Love can not die and I love you dearly, and my home, more than any place that I have seen 10,000 fold. Tell [??] pa thinks she must be a good girl to sleep alone and now to sleep with Ranser, and Elburn wants pa to know about Maggy's little calf.

I was on picket yesterday at 8 a.m. and relieved 8 a.m. today. Aron and Judd were with me and we have to change every two hours. One of us have a gun in our hands all the time and keep watch. We were on the outer station on the main road south, nearly a mile from camp and were ordered not to let any black women or children in at all and let all others in the day time and no one out without a pass. There is a guard at the end of the bridge and they had to see every pass, and then they came to us and we brought them to and demanded to see their pass, and they had to do over, and in the night we had a counter-sign and we let no one in or out that had not got it. There was no one here in the night. Less than one mile there is a lot of darkies and we could hear then sing, and, I guess, preach, till 12 o'clock at night.

I would not sell Prince. If Snell will take some of them fellows, and he mates them well and will sell him reasonable, buy him if you want to. If you think of doing it, have M. and G. look at him and see what they think. Charge Prescott what you think is right. If he did not have much to do, perhaps 12 will be too much, but I think he would not keep it if he did not have considerable to do. In your next, write of Mr. Judd and Maria, if you know anything about them. Crumb got two letters, Judd two, Aaron three, Hi one, Sours two, Joe one or two.

Joe says he has left off drinking and let the women alone, and he thinks that is enough reform for one season, yet he says he did say last night he ought to leave off swearing.

Emmerson, the little precious one, it almost seems as though I could see him trudging around and hear him singing his riddle. I wish I could, though, and all the rest of you. Tell Nora to be a good girl and mind and love ma and love pa and learn to read so she can learn to write him. Tell her pa wants her to pray for him that God may send him home soon. Tell Elburn not to be a copperhead but be a good boy and mind and love ma and love pa. Talk to them about me and let them see the picture so they will not forget their pa that loves them so much. Emmerson I know must be cunning. They all are very dear to me, but you are the most precious of all. If you are not tired of reading it, I shall have to tell that I love you very much more than I can write or tell to you if I was with you.

About whipping the rebs, if they give me a chance I shall try to do my duty by them. I can assure you it is not so, what I wrote you in my last letter about their fighting with Dodge.

I have got a new pair of pants. The old ones needed washed and had a hole behind, but I can mend them so they will last a good while, and a rubber blanket. Captain takes the St. Charles paper, and Folsom the West Union Public Word, and we get them to read. Some of them get the New York Tribune. Tina sent the Chicago Journal; got it yesterday. Some buy the Nashville Times. Give my respects to all who may enquire. Keep all of my love to yourself. Precious Bairons [??] pray for me. Your affectionate but absent husband,

C. T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

Once more I take my pen in hand to pen you a few lines to inform you that I am enjoying good health. I hope and pray you and the precious children are receiving the same blessing from our heavenly father. I have nothing of interest to write, yet I can tell the old true story of my love for you, dear wife. I still love you with all my heart and feel that your true and loving heart responds to the beatings of my own. I know that you love me, yet it seems to enhance to the value of it to have it repeated. You may think that I am foolish, yet it is the truth that the hardest part of soldiering is being so far removed from the dear loved ones of my heart. Yet I know that some one must go and stand up for the truth, liberty, and the law, and it wouldn't sound well to the children to hear that their father shrank from his duty and therefor they are not blessed with a country and wholesome laws to protect them. It is hard for us all, yet the after fruit will be sweet.

There is troops moving to the front almost every day. Yesterday a part of the First Alabama Cavalry passed here going to Decatur, and part of the Eighteenth Missouri Mounted Infantry going to Athens to be dismounted.
There was also a lot of refugees from Dixie bound to a place where they can be under the direction and the protection of the Yankees. There was five car loads of them, and I saw some of them with teams and then I saw some thing that looked like hard times in earnest. The first team was a small yoke of poor oxen with a man and woman and several children from less than one year to 15 years old. The second team was an old poor mare and a small pair of steers, the load various articles of furniture followed by three girls from 14 to 18 years of age, two boys from 7 to 10, and a man and woman, the latter leading a skeleton yearling colt that could hardly make a shadow, and then a bull, about the size of Prince, hitched to a little cart drawing two children from 2 to 4 years old, and the whole gang the very picture of hard times. Squalid and forsaken, yet talked like intelligent beings. They had come nearly 100 miles from Winston County, Alabama. They were a fair specimen of those that are running from the rebel conscription, rapine, insult, and murder. If that many of them that are in the reb army could get away, a continual stream would pour into our lines.

Arkansas has had an election and gave strong for the Union. Other states will follow. Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, and Maryland are as good as in the Union, thus lessening the strength of the rebellion, and U. S. Grant is setting armed legions in motion that I hope will knock and crush out of existence this wicked rebellion. I hope it may be done very soon.

There is quite lively times on this railroad. The Chattanooga road is so far out of repair that they can't run on it, and all of the supplies have to pass there some days. There is over 20 trains past here north or south. The mail did not get in last night till very late. We heard there was a collision between here and Nashville last night. Haven't heard the particulars.

I look for a letter today. Have had none since the 9th, yet it is but a little while, but I count the days to know when I can get another one. The time since I have got a letter regular from my dear wife goes off as fast again as it did before. We talk of sending our overcoats home but I don't know as we shall. The weather is quite cool yet. We expect to get our pay the first of next month, but are not certain.


Dear, I forgot to say anything in my last about that girl at the home. We have not got the money yet, but if you want her, write to them and ask what you will have to do if you had her. She would be some company and perhaps help you some. If I was there with you you would not want her, but I don't know when I shall be. Tell the dear precious children that Pa loves them all very much and would like to see them and he wants them to be good children. Love and mind Ma and love and pray for Pa. Dear, I have nothing of interest to write and so will close by saying that I love you and want you, if you can, to forgive all of my naughtiness and love me still. Pray for me. Write as often as you can and write how you get along and about the children and how you get along. Here is love to you from your unworthy husband.

C. T. Ackley

I was vaccinated today, and Judd, Dock, Hi, and Egbert.
He wrote the following letter²¹ [2nd so dated]
Dear Wife,

It is with pleasure that I embrace this opportunity to write to the loved ones at home. The good father continues to bless me with good health, and all the rest of the boys are the same. There is no rebs and no fighting near us and the mail has not fetched us any news of late, we know not the reason. The cars are running from the south but not from the north. There is some refugees going north on most every train, and often prisoners.

The 15th I was on guard. Went to the saw mill and from there to the woods to guard some colored troops that were cutting and drawing logs. It was easy. We could set around and read or anything till noon and then go to the mill, get dinner, and then ride back, set around till about 4 o'clock, and then go to the mill and there stay all night and till 8 in the morning. We did not have to stand guard in the night. Judd was with me. Aaron was at the mill. He had to patrol the railroad. It is quite cool nights, and frost for the two last. There is nothing going on here now and as I have written two letters to you since I had one from you, I am short of anything to write. We had some extra food yesterday. Sour kraut, potatoes, and onions. We drew them yesterday and had all of the raw kraut we wanted last night and this morning and raw onions and for dinner. Since I began this letter we had potatoes, onions, and beef made into a soup, and it was good, and we had kraut enough to cook a mess for supper or breakfast in the morning.

What would my dear wife think if I should accept an office in a colored regiment? There is one eight miles from here and there is four orderly sergeants lacking. It would not be a very agreeable situation, although the other officers are white, yet it is no disgrace to anyone if we accept them as soldiers. We must teach them as they are uneducated, and that office pays $21.00 per month, and not as hard work as I now have. I don't know as I shall have the chance yet, and don't know as I shall accept if I do have the chance. Say nothing to anyone about it, but write what my dear and much loved wife thinks of such a step. It is three moves from a Captain. As this is dry, I will wait and see if I don't get some news before night. Just now two trains came from the south and there was five car-loads of refugees, men, women and children. It looks as if they were a'going to move all the folks from Dixie. A man that I saw a few days ago of the First Alabama Union Cavalry, he lived in Winston County, Alabama, he said it did not look right to feed the families that were fighting against us. He had a son that was a prisoner to the rebs. He would starve them all if he could, yet the woman may not be to blame and the little children certainly are not.

It is time that I stopped if I expect you to read it for it is of no interest. But I must say, my dear wife, that I still love you with all my heart and tell the dear precious little children that although Pa can't see them, yet he loves them very much and would like to see them. Tell them Pa is lonesome away from Ma and his bright-eyed little pets. How does the vaccination get along? I have been vaccinated, but don't know whether it will work or not. It is raining and it is time for the mail from the north, so I will wait for news. Mail has come and brought nothing for me, but the other boys all got letters, and if there was anything wrong with any of you, they, some of them, would write about it, but the letters do not come regular and yours to me are somewhere on the road. You had better believe that I look sharp for letters from home. They give me more pleasure than anything else that I see or hear by - for yet they are the only things that does give real pleasure. They are like gentle refreshing showers to a dry land.

Some of the women wrote that the 7th had been in a fight, but it is not so, and that Pulaski and Prospect were burned to ashes. Untrue. There has been no fighting near us. There is a strong fort here on a high hill, and in our camp is a stockade and a blockhouse that is bomb proof, and they are making another over the river, and there is several regiments at Pulaski and several posts between here and there is troops every five or six miles along the railroad.

Dear, forget if you can my meanness when, and accept and remember my heart's love. Write as soon as you can. Give my respects to all that inquire, and all of my love is yours and the dear children, and remember me in your prayers and visa versa.

C. T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ (This seems to be a portion of a letter...it is numbered in sequence with the rest of the letters. Since it was written in Prospect TN, and there is reference to getting no lettlers since March 29th, it must have been written in April, 1964)

...it was a comfortable place. We are not as particular about our beds as we used to be at home. We can sleep almost anywhere if we can keep warm and dry. The guerrillas that have been around us were commanded by a Capt More have been nearly all been captured. Friday they carried him and his lieutenant and several officers and men past here on the cars and Saturday they had a car load and a half of his men. The Gs will be pretty thin around here now. About a week ago, they captured 2 guerrillas. One of them had on a hat that belonged to one of the men that they captured a short time ago. The hat had a figure 7 on it. When they captured our boys one of the Gs had a poor hat and it blowed from his head and he rode up to one of our boys and took his hat from his head and told him if he wanted a hat he might get off and pick up one that fell off and he done so and they captured the rebs with our mans hat on. They have got 15 horses and mounted 15 boys in this regiment. Two of them from Company B. George Cornelie one. They are for scouts. Then some of them go out somewhere most every day. You perhaps have read of old Forest with 6,000 or more rebs crossing the team river and marching on to Paducha and attacking it and getting nicely whipped with a loss of 1,500 killed and wounded and on the retreat Grearson came upon him and killed some of his men and taking 600 prisoners and was still giving him some the last we heard. The order was telegraphed here that we would stay here till July 4th unless further orders. We have got to do some drilling commencing tomorrow. Recruits from 8 to ten. Company 10 to 12. Battalion drill 1 to 3. Target firing 4 to 5, so you see we have got to be pretty busy.

The mail had just arrived and I got no letters since March 29. It is not long yet it seems a great while my dear. I send you love that I feel that I love you best of anything on earth. Tell the dear little ones that pa wants them to be good children. That he loves ma and them and he wants you to kiss and hug them for me and tell them to kiss ma for me and that I would like to see you all but I have got to stay here a spell and can't come home yet. Tell them to pray for pa that he may be good and come home. Write as often and as much as you can. Yours by and by. Letters are treasures more precious than gold. Pray for me dear one and I will pray for myself and you. Good-bye. You will be tired of reading such a long lot of folly. Good-by dear ones.

C T Ackley Company B
7th Iowa Infantry
Prospect, Tenn.

He wrote the following letter²¹ [This undated letter was marked # 97 by Larry. Reference to 3 months into a 36-month tour suggests this was written about April, 1864, which would place him in Prospect TN]

Page 1. I do not expect you would buy a watch if you had the money. Emmerson can call Fido. Does Fido come when he calls? Does he stay at home and do lots of barking to keep everything away? How does the cows and the calves look? I expect there will be more calves when you answer this. The Confederacy is fast contracting. Quite fast. The have lost Arkansas and Tennessee and lost of property and chattels, and soldiers by desertion since we have been in the borders thereof. When Arkansas gives 10,000 majority for the Union, it looks better than a big battle killing of 10,000.

There is a call for 200,000 and I expect it was a big scare to the Hon Supervisors for I see by the St. Charles paper that they have called a special meeting, which came on yesterday, to consider and conclude whether the county would give a bounty to the soldiers and their families. The county does very well. But oh! The poor miserable Supervisors. They are trying to crush the good name of the county. The soldiers here from Floyd County all say they will crush the present Supervisors when they get home. They are from all parts of the county. Some of hem would not be accredited to their own county. Some of the veterans were accredited to other counties. Mitchel gave 200 bounty and Howard gave 400, so you see it is the skim milk policy or coperish of the Supervisors that clogs the kind heart of the county, but their day will end near the time this wicked rebellion does. Bullets ends one, ballots the other.

That poor little jammed finger, if pa was there to kiss an pity it, would not be as bad, would it? Has Blake got well and has the new miller come, and where is Blake going? Have Nora read alone is she can. Tell her pa wants her to be good and learn to read. Did I think when I was at home the dear little ones had grown hateful? I can=t see it now, but I was always cross and hateful when I was at home, but I can see my faults now I am far away, but I am very sorry and I want you if you can to forgive me and ask Nora and Elburn to forgive pa for being naughty to them when he was at home. I think now I could live with almost anything if my dear companion and children were near me. I know you are lonely, but I mount the wings of thought [and] pay you visits very often. Keep good courage and remember though sundered, for by faith we meet around one common mercy seat. I will try to pray for you. There is not much going on. I wrote in my last what I was doing, drilling, foraging, and doing picket duty. I expect to go on picket in the morning.

I get letters from you quite often now. Continue to do the same as often as you can. I gets lots of love in every letter and retain more than I am worthy of. I do remember you all at home and send you my heart=s love and wishes. I think of you and the little ones. Before I had read the first letter through today, I had to go on Battalion drill and while marching and maneuvering, was thinking of home and found myself laughing at Elburn=s not wanting you to tell me he was naughty and Emmerson=s scolding and whipping the others. I am glad to hear that little head is better and hope that it soon will get well. Do not get discouraged if you can help it. Remember what it is for. I know three years is a long time, but it is shortened up some. It is only 33 months now and every day makes it one less and brings us near eternity. I sincerely hope and trust I shall be with you before that time, but we will keep as good courage as we can and hope and pray that the rebellion will be finished soon and we are restored to each other. Pray for this end.

I think if you do your chores, or rather my chores, and attend to the little ones and raise a little garden, you will have your hands full and more. If you could get the money, but I guess you won=t get time enough to get any fruit trees. I don=t think you or any one else could be a better wife than you. I freely forgive if there is anything to forgive, and want to dodo to me. I know you love me and I feel thankful for it. If Hi will give you goods for it, if you have to throw off some. Write as soon as you can. Pray for me. Kiss all round for me. Tell the little ones pa wants them to be good children and remember and love pa and ma and their brothers and sisters. Goodbye dearest. I remain your unworthy and affectionate husband.
C. T. Ackley



He wrote the following letter²¹ [This is another letter fragment, numbered 99 by Larry. Reference to Pulaski suggests this was written while he was in Tennessee, perhaps while at Prospect since he was there quite a long time. If so, this would have been written in spring, 1864, which seems to fit the content which appears to focus on sharing daily life as would befit early days away from home.]

...the bread is always good when we have northern flour, but when we have southern it is very black. I tell them it is amalgamated, for it is the blackest stuff I ever saw, but we don=t have it very often and we have meal and can have mush when we are a mind to make it, and now and then a hoe cake or Johnny cake with nothing to make with but water. They call them here pones.

My work is not ver hard. Picket only once since here, but shall come on once in 3 or 4 days. When not on other duty, drill 4 hours in a day and dress parade at 5 o=clock. That lasts nearly one hour. They call the roll about six and at night about 8 and I have been on the hill 2 days after logs and 2 days to Pulaski to guard a mule train after division once out foraging for beef cattle. Twice after fodder yesterday, I went out after fodder about 6 or 7 miles southwest with 5 wagons and 6 mules to a wagon, except one which had 4. We got them all loaded with fodder and oats in the bundle.

The folks say they are all good Union, but they hate to see their stuff [go?]. Some of them are Union and some are not. Some will give the boys dinner when out, and not ask them anything. Officers: Brig. General Sweeney headquarters at Pulaski. Never saw him. General Dodge [is] over him, headquarters [is at] Athens 15 miles south of this. Grant over them. Immediate here: Lieut. Col. Parrot, good Captain R. G. Reiniger (a good officer, but detached from the company as Provost Marshall), and Lieut. L. P. Folsom has the command and is well liked well by all officers and men. He is not a bit stuck up. He comes around often and we go to his tent for anything we want. Reiniger does nothing that I have found hard to comply with, yet I cannot go where I wish always, yet it is for the best. If we could, we might be careless and the rebs might find us.

I had a touch of the diarrhea but it was soon over. I did not write [it] because it takes a letter so long to go, you would worry when it was nothing, if you did not get another letter soon. The boys shot some hogs and we eat a little too much fresh pork. I have no pills, but we have a good doctor. Did Hodge send the certificate for the letter that I wrote from, or did you write to him? Will the cows come in soon. Did Elburn get the pocket book I sent to him? Kiss all around for me, and accept my love to you all. Pray for me, and write as soon as you can. Goodbye

C. T. Ackley

He wrote the following letter²¹ [This tiny fragment was on a scrap of paper, probably inserted with a letter. Given the reference to Tennessee, it probably was written in the spring of 1864. It was assigned the number 104 by Larry.]

There is a rumor that General Dodge is fighting the rebs near Decatur the other side of the Tennessee River, 35 miles from here, but we do not know whether it is so, but the sooner begun, sooner finished. Ever remember your affectionate

C. T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹
Dear Wife,

Good news has come that causes my heart to rejoice--to read a letter from you and to read that you are well. It is supper time but I thought I would write a little before it was dark and I expect to go on guard tomorrow and may not get a chance to write. I wrote a letter to you yesterday and perhaps this won't go till Wednesday and office is not over 20 rods from our door. Then I have got a good rubber blanket. I wish I could get a good one and send it to you. It would be such a nice thing for you to put on to milk and do all chores. It would keep you pretty dry.

You made no mistake. I guess it was my fault if you have any trouble. It would relieve you and do me no harm. It would be food for my mind. Write everything you can. Yes, dear, you do hold a very large place in my heart. My trouble is not much if it was not for my being away from you and the children. Soldiering is not hard so far. It was so muddy this morning so we did not have any drilling to do and I thought that I would make a little money as well as to do not anything. And I had a shirt, 1 pr. drawers, do socks to wash. Judd one pair drawers and I told the boys if they was to hire washing done I was in for their dimes and Aaron Egbert, I, J, R, T & Douglass handed in their rags and it was 9 by the time I got at it and was done before noon and earned 40 cents. Joe paid his 15 cts. Did not I do pretty well? 5 cts a piece. You must think that I might not like the wash part but I loved to my dear and I did not know when I would get any more pay but the talk is that we shall get paid by the first of next month.

I am glad Emerson's head is getting better and hope it will not get any worse. How I should like to hear the little precious try to say "pa's boy". Does he know what that means? Dear, about my being such an unworthy husband, it is so although I did not see it so plain till I was far from you. Yet I always loved you and knew you loved me and love you more and more each day, if possible. It is so near dark that I don't follow the lines, and I will quit.

April 19th.

On guard on the bank of the river, a very sightly place, but it is quite cool. Joe and Judd and Corporal Hawks is with me. I guess you are getting to be quite a carpenter. Did you pound your fingers any? Don't try to do too much. If you could get Russ half or a day he could fix the butry for you. Have you got lath enough? If you have not, you can buy it to finish. Has Frost sawed that log that I drew there? If Russ helps you any have it fixed around the bed to the door and if you get it ready have it plastered after planting, if you get time, and get it done. You may keep Prince. If you can trade that he note for a mate perhaps you had better. Get a stamp on it. If you do, mark the date of this note on the stamp. It is bedtime at 12 I should think. Emerson knows so too, the little push. I should like to have hold of him, and you too I reckon.

How much do you give Nancy? If you think we can pay for breaking and you can get some broke I don't care. It will not hurt it to lay still for one year. If I do not get home and you can, let it out. If you let out land you ought to have the most of the straw. How do you get along learning your ox to drink? If you could get him into a corner and have him put his head through the fence you could hold him. What color is he? I expect Dutchey has one by the time you get this. By you time you get this I shall have only 32 months to serve the 28th of this month. I hear that both Houses of Congress have passed a bill to pay soldiers 16 dollars per month. That is a little better. I should like to be near enough to hear you and the little ones talk about me. I guess you would stop it. But I want you to talk about as much as you can so the children will remember their pa. Tell them Pa wants them to be good children, love ma and mind her and love pa and be good to and love each other.

Emmerson, the little fellow I wish I could be there when you are weaning him. Poor boy. He will think he has got no friends and if his pa was there, he could take care of him, but it is time and he will soon get used to it and when he gets over being mad, he will cuddle close to you. Write as soon as you can. Except my love and pray for your unworthy husband.

C.T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife,

Once more I take my pen to converse with you. This date finds me well and I pray that a merciful God will continue to bless you with good health. I expect to get a letter from you this PM but I am not certain but am in hopes that I will. There is nothing new going on here now and there is consequently not much to write. Yet I will try to fulfill my promise of writing which is not only a duty but a pleasure to me. It is next to reading a letter from you.

Since commencing this letter, I have been in the woods 22 miles to get logs to enlarge our cabin. It is about 10 feet square and so low that we can't stand straight, only in the centre. We have not done it before but the teams were busy and we did not know but we would leave before we got it done and don't know but that we shall now, yet we will try it. They talk as if we would leave here in about 15 days, but there is no one here that knows when we shall leave. If it is helping crush this rebellion I am satisfied as there is not much danger of being hurt by the rebs and we don't have much to do. Today was my turn to go on guard but they did not take as many from B as they do some days. Judd and Egbert and I, J, R, T are on today and I expect to go tomorrow. A.J.A. is in the provo marshall's office clerking for Capt. Reinniger and I have just been to the carpenters' shop and made a spit box for dock and the captain. The provo has to issue passes to all that are not soldiers. If any citizen comes in to camp, man, woman or child or negro they can't get out without a pass from the provo and if they buy anything from the sutters they have to get a bill of it and go to the office and get a permit. They can not carry anything out by the pickets without a permit. All soldiers have to get a pass approved by the colonel commanding. They have issued an order to let two of each company have a pass to go where they are a mind to from eight in the morning till 1 PM and it took effect the 21st. Judd's and my turn came the 22nd. We did not expect it but at roll at 8 in the evening of the 21st they said there was a pass for the two Ackleys and we were at a stand whether to go out or not but we concluded we would visit some of our neighbors and we got our pass before 7 and took our guns and started east and came to a house 2 miles from camp.

Saw two men by the name of Reed. 1 very old and about 20 nigs, women and children. No men. Then 1/2 mile we came to a very small house full of women. They were warping a piece and had it spooled on corn cobs with the pith punched out. Their names was Goldsboro. They were so thick that we did not attempt to get in. Their neighbors said there was 8 in that little cabin. We went to several more houses and at one took dinner at a man's by the name of Guilbert. They made us very welcome and we sat at a good table for the first time in Tennessee. The vituals was nothing extra...boiled ham, green corn, cake wheat bread, butter and milk, syrup. We eat hearty and then took our way to camp. They said they were glad to have soldiers come round and invited us to come again. They said they were quite well acquainted with the soldiers that were here before us and they like to get so with us. The family consisted of 6 or 7 children. They are going to have a school there this summer. They have hired a girl to teach and give her 10 dollars a scholar for 5 months. They appear friendly the most of them. I have commenced a letter from Sam's nigger but the boys kept coming so that I quit and he went to his cain. As I have not news I must stop. I shall not close this till the mail comes in and that if I get a letter, I can answer it.

Dear wife, I love you above all earthly objects. You are ever in my mind and my prayers are for you. I should be extremely happy if I could see you and be with you. My dear, I never knew the value of a kind and loving wife till I was separated from you and I think when I come back I shall be a more kind husband and love you if possible more than ever. Tell the dear children that pa loves them and would like to see them, but he can't yet. But he wants them to be good children and love ma and pa and each other and learn to pray for pa. Just one hug and one kiss from you and the children would be better than silver or gold. How does the boy's head get along and the vaccination? How do you get along breaking calves and the rest of all your work that your husband should do if he was with you. Answer and write about everything. Give my respects to all that enquire but all of the love belongs to you, which you will ever keep. Pray for me, love and vice versa.

From C. T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I take this opportunity to answer your kind letter. Yesterday I was on guard. It fell my lot to guard patrole the railroad south 2 miles. I did not have to go but twice at noon and at daylight this a.m. and this a.m. we got a ride back on the cars. There was one man with me when I came back.

Yesterday lieutenant and Joe Frost said they would write to you and Elder Inman that I was going around with a gun on my shoulder on Sunday. I told them that it would do no harm as they were so well known that you or the Elder would not believe a word they wrote. It worked Joe up on the account of what you said to him at home and what you wrote about his swearing.

My Dear, I still love you and the little ones with all my heart and a letter from you is better than silver or gold or goodly apparel. I am sorry to hear that the little pet has a bile (boil?) on his knee and that his head is not better yet. I hope it will soon get better. Dear, I think you will write as often as you can and I never took any of the other soldiers' women as a model when I was at home and I don't expect to now, but I want you to write as often as you can and as long as you can and get them to the office as easy as you can.

Don't run yourself to death to carry them, as bad as I want letters from you. I had rather look sometime than to have you make yourself sick or neglect the dear children for the sake of getting 3 or 4 sheets twice a week. One sheet as often as you can write with all the work that you have on your hands with the 3 little precious little mischiefs to look after and 2 calves, garden, hogs, and everything too numerous to mention. Has both cows come in and how do the learning calves work? If I can get a letter from you once a week it will do well and if oftener it will be better and if not oftener I shall think that you love me and failing to get letters will not make me think you do not love me. But I think I know something of what you have to do and you may rest assured that letters or no letters absent or present that still you are my own dear wife and that I love you with all of my heart. Yet letters from you are the best and greatest thing that can come to me here.

The weather is pleasant here yet. It rained Saturday night most all night. It rains rather often. Grass is green, white clover, dandelions, apple trees and many other things are in bloom. Corn is coming up. Can you sell the flax seed now you have got it cleaned? Have you sold any grain and how does the corn hold out? How does your hog get along? Eggs I have had one since I have been. They would go first rate and so would a great many other victuals yet we have enough and don't go hungry. But the best dish would be a certain person and three smaller persons on my lap but that is out of the question. Other things I could buy if I had a mind to but don't care much. But money would not buy that at the present time under the circumstances and besides it is of more value than money. It is priceless.

I expect my little white head union boy is good. Tell him pa is glad to hear that he is a good boy and pa wants him to keep being good boy and that pa loves him very much and prays for him and all of you and is glad if his Elburn prays for his pa. Tell Leanora that pa wants to see her but as he can't now he wants to hear that she is a good girl and minds ma and loves pa for pa loves her very much. Kiss and hug them all for pa and tell them to kiss you for pa and think pa would like to do the same. Tell her pa had some apples once since I have been here and yesterday he had some dried applesauce.

I have not seen a school but Sam's and captain's darkies try to read and I help them when I can.


Cap's darkey is a preacher. He has been here a week. He just left his master in Alabama. He preached last night and I had told A. Clay that I would stand guard from 7 till 9 as his arm was sore from vaccination so did not hear him much. They say he preached well for a man that could not read. I have been reading to him. He wanted to hear Joseph's dream and I commenced and read two evenings to him. He can remember well and the boys can't beat him on an argument.

How long does H. Smith and W. Boon expect to stay? How does Maria Darland get along? What you wrote about sending money did not hurt my feelings a bit. We expect to get our pay the 1st of May but am not certain. It is time for dinner time and mail is due at 3 and I guess I will not wind up till it comes as I may get something, yet do not really expect it. I am well and hearty and we talk of enlarging our house but it rained a little this morning and so we concluded not to today but it has cleared off now.
You will find a simple letter but if it not worth reading don't read it but write anything and everything to me what the children say. Ask them what you shall say to me. Write all you can and then the letters will be devoured instantly. Everything will be good that you write unless it should be something wrong with some of you.

The mail has come and I got no news from anyone. Sours got a letter from his father. Aaron got one from home mailed March 8 and that is all the news our squad received. I hate to send blank paper and I don't know hardly how to fill it. While waiting for the mail I done some patching on my old pants. They had a hole on each side of the seat and it was a long time before I could get anything to patch with. At last I got some old pants and have patched them quite well, allowing me to judge. I told the boys when I took them to go to work at, that if you could have them you would fix them while I was getting things ready and getting started, and you would, and a heap nicer, yet it does not look very bad and they will last some time.

The boys some of them are showing their smartness in the running of the lines and several were caught out last night and will have to serve a time in the guard house or do extra duty and perhaps it will bring a little more on those that try to obey orders and do right by increasing the guard, thus bringing us on oftener. That is the way the innocent have to suffer. None of our squad has any desire to run the lines.

There is a report that Lieutenant Colonel Parrot the commander have some doubts about it yet. They are firing on to the pickets near Decatur daily and also the rebs are deserting in numbers daily. A few days ago a whole company, officers and all, came into our lines and gave up. The rebs were in full chase of them. Deserters say they are 15,000 strong in front of Gen. Dodge and they swear they will drive him out of Decatur and over the Tennessee River, but we are not afraid and they say they can catch their men that desert if the Yankees were north of the river but with both armies on one side of the river, they can get to our lines easy but I guess they can't drive them back as Dodge has been there some time and is well fortified and is a live man and is receiving reinforcements most every day. They took him some long range rifle cannon and exchanged them for common smooth bore guns for to use at Pulaski and other places where there is no enemy.

Pray for me and except this token of sincere love from your unworthy

C T Ackley

See if E & L can tell these letters A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T







Decauter is 35 miles from here where Gen. Dodge is. The reb camps is 7 miles from there. Love to you all. Good-bye.

C T Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I seat myself under a beach tree on the green grass to write you a few lines. I am still blessed with good health and all of the boys the same. I am on picket with Clay and Hawks and we are under marching orders and expect to leave today or tomorrow for Decatur. It is 10 and we don't know but that we will go today.

All of the boys but Crumb and myself got letters last night but I did not look much. I expect one today if we stay here long enough yet it does not make me think that I am not loved as well as the rest for I know that I have the most precious wife of the whole lot if I did not get a letter yet and received confirmation of your exceeding great worth and unselfishness and am led to feel thankful for the great blessing of such a precious angel of a companion.

(Private-Father wrote to Jub that he was afraid that he would not pay that school money or anything else as Em had spent most 60 dollars of money and was in debt to Hi 9 dollars. If he wanted his money to do him any good he had better write to her not to be quite so free with it as she said he told her to use all she wanted. He wrote to him that Thomas' wife had not used for herself only five dollars. He had paid debts and taxes with the balance. I hope when I get more that they will not be as many debts so that my dear wife can have a little for her benefit as there is much need of it and there will never be any need of writing to my dear wife not to spend quite as much, as she has the good sense to know the worth of money and that is another day and may be a rainey one.

We have boxed up our overcoats to send home. A. J. Asper, Hiram Clay, C.J. Ackley...the coats were all marked with the owners name and in one of the pockets of mine is a pair of shears for Leanora that was given to me in Davenport. Tell her to be careful of them. Try to keep them nice till pa comes home, and a glass marble for Emmerson. Tell him that his pa sent it to him and then if they get them each of the dear little children will have something that their pa has sent them and I have sent the Dearest of them all no visible present but I send her love, the love of my whole heart. She may receive it as her present till I get hold of something of more value than the love I have to give her. Yet that I love you you shall ever have. You are in my thoughts day and night and I love you and there is no way of my trying to write how much as the fraction of it can't be told.

You may think this is a silly mess "if it is so he would have been more kind when he was here with me." Dear, forgive all unkindness as I never knew 1/100 part of the value of my wife till I am deprived of her company and my lot is cast in a strange land among strangers, then is the time to realize some little the value of a kind and loving wife and precious children. Tell the little ones that pa loves them and ma very much and wants them all to pray for him as there is naughty men all round him and he don't want to be naughty. Tell pa wants them to be good children. Love ma, mind her and love and be kind to each other. Write as soon and much as you can and as often as you can. Write what the children say. Write how Martin gets along with the work, and if his father's letter that he got from Henry tells his company and regiment. Write where and how to direct a letter to him. I got a letter from lon a few days ago and shall answer it soon, as I don't know what to write. I shall have to stop.

The trees and grass is green. The weather is warm. It rained hard and blowed in the night but it is clear and pleasant today. Write when you can if only a little at a time and when you get a letter done seal it and send it by the first chance. Tell Gideon he must help you get your letters to the office. Tell him that I say so. How many goslings have you got, pigs and calves? Except my love and pray for your unworthy but affectionate husband. Good-bye dear.

C T Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹
Dear Wife,

Here I am and it has been several days since I have written you a letter but I have been very busy since I wrote to you. I am well but some tired as we have marched 15 miles and carried quite a load. We have been here about 2 hours and it is 2 past but it has been pleasant today. We did not get much wet as we had rubber blankets and they kept us dry and it rained in the night but we made a tent of our rubbers and kept pretty dry.

We start in the morning at daylight. We know not where for certain but we are to take 3 days rations with us. Some think we will go to Selma. It is about 45 miles from here to Prospect. It is not a very long march but it is long enough with what we have to carry. We were tired and some sore. We got along very well today when we got used to it. I guess after we march a few days we shall get used to it. The old soldiers said that the recruits would catch it but the recruits are enough for the old ones. It was muddy but it was better than the dust. If you would see the soldiers that are around here in motion you would think something would be done and I guess there will.

The Sanitary Commission have sent some store; pickles, crout, potatoes and sent a woman to see that the 7th got them. They are from Iowa.

My dear, I have not time to write a very long letter as it is nearly dark but I love you with all my heart and you must not worry about me as the Lord will keep me. You must pray to him for your unworthy husband and I will pray for you and myself.

Tell the dear children that pa loves them and wants them to be good children and pray for their pa. Kiss them and hug them for me. Tell it is for pa and tell them to hug and kiss you for pa.

My dear write as often as you can and I will write as often and as much as I can. When I am marching I can't get a chance to write as often as I would like to but I still love you. Last night I dreamed of being home and seeing you. We are all well and I pray that you are all enjoying and may still enjoy the same blessing. Dear I do love you. How do you all get along. When we get where we stop I will write you a long letter and when I get home which I hope may be before long, I shall know how to prize home more than I ever did and I always love home and my family. Keep up good courage and I will try to do the same. Write often. Good-bye. Here is much love.

Direct Company B 4th Iowa Infantry via Nashville. I send love to you.







C T Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

Here I am in the hawks nest for such is the meaning of the name. I am well and am glad of the opportunity to write you a few lines. I am well and all of the boys are the same and I hope that you and the sweet little ones are blessed the same way. Since I last wrote which was May 1 at Huntsville, we have been on the move. We left in the morning and marched about 15 miles and camped before night and there. I am happy to say I got a precious letter from you and also one from father. I am happy because the news was good from my wife and children and if they keep well and I the same I shall have not much cause to murmer although the realities of a soldiers life is upon me. The 3rd we marched 30 miles and it nearly tired me out. I did lag some but the ambulances were all full and I did not make application for a ride and at night I came into camp as I started next to the head of the company. The morning of the 4th we took the cars for this place orders to pack up and be ready for marching.

May 6th on the Chickamauga Creek 4 p.m. We arrived here last night at 4 p.m. It was the headquarters of general Shooker yesterday but he left this morning for Ringgold 10 miles south east to establish his headquarters there. We have heard that there was an order that no mail could go either way for 20 days. We don't know whether it is so or not. I thought I would write and try to get it to you if you get this and don't get another very soon don't worry as I will write as often as I can I shall. The Lord to take care of me and I pray that he will take care of you. You pray for me and if you don't get a letter very soon write and send them and when they do come I shall get them. We passed through a part of the battlefield of Chickamauga and at Chattanooga we camped at the foot of Lookout Mountain some of our boys went up to the top. They looked pretty small up there standing on a rock. There is a picture gallery on the top. It is higher than the bluffs around Dubuque and in some places very straight up. It is hard looking country, hills, rock. The water is very good here. Generally we are 15 miles from Chattanooga and after we got here our Company was sent on picket. We had a nice place in the woods near a good spring and only stood one hour a piece in the night. We are in camp now and don't know how long we shall stay here but we expect to go tomorrow. Now I will answer your letter. I am glad that you are well and also that the children are well and that the kind pox worked in them. It has not on me but don't like to have you write that you are an old drone for you never was and I want you to get along as well as you can and keep up as good spirits as you can. Try and not get lonesome. Yet I know something about it. Try to enjoy yourself with the children. I have neither you nor them but there is lots of company. Yet it is not the right stripe. What color are the calves? Father wrote that Elburn said he had a yoke of oxen and a yoke and showed him that big yoke. He told him it was too big. He (May 5, 1864 -- p. 2) says he is going to be big? Which cow gives the most milk? Is it pretty hard work to milk them? Are they gentle? You are generally right not only about the hay but other things. I will own up my dear and love you as ever. Before you need the money get your pay of Prescott. I don't know when I shall get any money now we are on the march. Capt Reinniger is left at Prospect. He had not heard anything of those allotment tickets. He said he would do all he could about it. How long did he have the wagon and what did you charge him? You had quite a lot of company but it is nothing to the company we had the 4th. We were on the cars. Our company 72 was on and in one box car and three or four trains loaded the same way and we passed a train of wagons 50 miles long...from Marble Rock to Waterloo..and accompanied all of them by soldiers on foot and trains with cannon. There is in this army 120,000 men or more and coming in every day and they say the rebs are falling back in front of us. There was 20,000 stayed with us at Chattanooga and they are going to the South by every road. Crumb is not here. He went to Pulaski to drive team or something else as he had just got over the measles and they thought he could not stand the march dress parade. Tonight I must stop.

Dress parade ended and a chance to send this short, dry epitaph. Don't worry but pray. Kiss the children. Tell them pa loves them and will whip the rebs as quick as he can. Good-bye. Much love to my dear family. Write soon. Kiss all for me. Direct Chattanooga, Tenn. Company B 7th Iowa Infantry. Good-bye my dear much loved one. Goodbye from your unworthy but affectionate husband.
C T Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ My dear Wife,

Here I am in this state but don't know what county or town. We are about five miles from the Alabama river. There is a depot and some sort of a town called Resseca, but the towns in Dixie are like some of the western towns, only more so. We passed one several miles back, called Villanow. There was three or four houses and a store building. General Killpatrick was there with a large cavalry force, the first cavalry force of any account I have seen. We passed all kinds of soldiers, both cavalry and infantry, and any amount of cannon, and trains or wagons with out ends, almost.

We had some hard marching and got pretty tired but we have had two days rest and have come out all right. We are inside of breastworks made by our troops.

Generals Hooker, Sickles, Dodge, Sweeny, Logan, Kilpatrick, and Mc Pherson. He is in command of this part of this department. Sherman has the whole command. There is something near 200,000 troops within 25 miles of this place. There is something astir, you may depend, and I will do what I can to whip the rebs at the shortest notice and it will be done soon. They are trying to get out of this, but we have got around their left flank and if there is not too much strategy, they will be caught at least. They will get whipped if we can get at them. We hear that Grant is giving them fits on the Potomac with that army.

Now I will try to answer your precious (letter) that I got several days ago and had not time to, after I got it before I wrote the other. I love you with all my heart and am sorry that you are left to bear your burdens alone, but be careful of yourself and the dear little ones and don't try to do too much. How do you stand it? Do you not get tired and worn out? Be careful, don't work too hard.

I got a letter from father the same time. He said Elburn told him he had got a yoke of oxen and a yoke that big one. He told him it was too big. He could not put it on. He said I am going to be big. Tell him to be a good boy and mind ma and take care of his oxen. Tell him that pa will come home when the rebs are all whipped. Tell (that) the union men are whipping them now. I must adjourn till morn as supper must be got and Jud has been at work and Dock and Egbert have to go and grind coffee.

May 17th...Dear again I learn we have a chance to send letters but don't expect it will (be) farther than Chattanooga. Yet I thought it will get to you quicker than it will if I don't write till I get farther off. I received a letter from you the 15th. It came to me after I had been in my first fight in which the 7th put to flight several times their number of the chivalry (?). Co B was not exactly in the fight but your unworthy husband was in the thickets and it pleased God that he should come out unscathed.

Before we came near the enemy about ten days ago, I volunteered to guard the flag and there has been fighting going on with this army for nine days all in our hearing and about five days quite close. The army was divided into several parts. General Thomas had the left, Hooker the center, and we were sent around to the right. We were not much engaged with the rebs till the 14th. We went around to take a ferry, found it guarded by a rebel force and two cannon. We wanted to cross and intercept the railroad that would cut off their retreat, but at the Ostanaula we were opened upon but we were not engaged at that day.


The 66th Illinois Sharp Shooters and the 66th Indiana done the fighting and drove the rebs back. One of the Indiana boys swam the river and captured the reb flag after it had been shot down. Some of the troops went over in boats and skirmished with success till dark and then we fell back about two miles to camp and draw rations and in the morn of the 15th we again came down and they throwed over pontoons and soon had a bridge and we crossed over about 11 and Co B and one other Co was thrown ahead as skirmishers and we all soon followed in the wood.

The skirmishers passed around the rebs and as we came opposite an orchard about 40 rods to our left we heard the howl of the rebs charging on us. We shouted and started to meet them and as we came into the road they poured a volley into us, but it was returned with such spirit and were making double quick for them and in 25 minutes they had left double quicker, leaving a number of killed, wounded and prisoners. Our regiment lost about 50 - 13 that was killed and died since, the balance wounded. Co B had one wounded, none that you know. The next day we started after them. They had rifle pits. Was in a brick house but were driven from it. 16th we came up with them two or three miles off. They had breast works one mile back but they had cut the timber around.

(This letter seems to end here....)
He wrote the following letter²¹ (This is another fragment, numbered "#93" but based on what is not clear... There is little here from which to guess a date, other than reference to not getting an April fool, suggesting this was after that date, and since there is much reference to activity related to the war, it is unlikely that this was in 1865, hence it probably is from May or later in 1864)

There is cars running here, from 5 to 15 trains per day. They carry some soldiers south and some north. They are generally laden with supplies. Yesterday they bought timber for a Rail Road bridge over Elk river. They are going to build a suspension bridge. There is a bridge but it is a poor one. This morning the 2nd Michigan were on the cars going north. I don't know whether they had re-enlisted or not. The time of some of the regiments have nearly expired and they will soon be mustered out if they don't re-enlist. But the most of them have. But some of them have not. The cops are raising hob in Illinois. If the government don't do something more than talk to them all over the north, they will have a fire in the rear that the soldiers won't stand. They will turn their faces towards home, and if they do, woe to everyone that is not an out and out Union. They will not skip over any that are not known to be true patriots, if soldiers fight well down here in Dixie. How will they fight at home when traitors that they have left at home and are suffering that they may have a government to protect them? There may not be many in our town, but there is in the county. They had better repent.

I did not get your April fool. If I did I did not know it. If I did I am glad to hear that Nora's arm worked. Mine does not yet. Judd got a letter from Em the 17th. She wrote that Rat and Henry had gone and another of your cousins. She did not know which. Do you know their address? If I did, I would write to them. I must write to some of them soon. I did not care a snap about writing stuff about getting black, yet there is something in this army that call themselves white that do black themselves, both in soul and body, not any that we knew, with wenches, yet they say some white soldiers do. They can have no respect for themselves or their friends and if they should be killed it seems right that they should be the ones, although you said I need not deny or say anything about it.

(private) I shall take this opportunity to do something of the king as to Mary and her hugging me; it is an untruth. Not knowing who told you what you wrote, if they had seen lots of such actions, and I don't think you think so either, yet I should like to be in a union township. Someone would get hugged if Mary wanted to hug me. I did not tell her to or not, yet I never wanted her to and I still say that I never saw anything of her when I worked there to make me think she was the woman that she has shown herself to be, and was never perfectly convinced that she was an adulterous woman till I came in the army.


Here folks tell things they do not tell at home and I have heard enough to convince me that she does play the harlot. But she never threw out inducements to me as she did to some others. Perhaps she thought I had some respect for myself and my family and she might get exposed, which would have proven to be the case, base as I am, if she had tried it. Now dear don't think what you wrote trouble me. If I have written such a string I thought as all at home there write about her would tell you my symptoms.

They are practicing with Artillery from the fort. They shoot some balls and some shells. I went down to the nest picket post and they threw a shell a little ways from me and the pieces flew close to us. The guns are 3/4 of a mile from where we are. Now I will close by saying that I love you my dear wife with all my heart and the children as myself. Hug and kiss them for me and tell them it is for Pa, that he loves them, and tell them to hug and kiss Ma for me. Pray for your most unworthy but affectionate husband.

----C.T.Ackley

I guess the ones that has seen so much lives in a red house, do they not tell Nora she must try to have a big quilt pieced up when I get home? Love for all of you.


039 ? 1864?06?xx ? unk loc GA

He wrote the following letter²¹ [(This is also a partial letter it seems, since there was no greeting.) (In Larry's typing, he has put at the top of this page "page 9" and later notes page 12, so it must be from 9-12 plus more.) While there is no date, there is reference to battles on May 14th and 15th, and the detailed description of the battle suggests this was early in his experience, making this 1864, which would put him in Georgia.]

...it is a very pretty sight to see a regiment or two with music playing and flags flying. We have had no music on this campaign but once in awhile a bugle and some brass band at some general's headquarters. I saw most all of our killed and wounded at Ray's Ferry May 15th (that is the name of the place where the fight was), but did not hear that but very little groaning after the rebs had left and we were ordered to fall back -- some very badly. We asked if we had whipped them, being told yes, they [were] all right and were well pleased. The 14th and 15th we had 13 killed and 51 wounded. Only one of Company B, not very bad, in the leg. Company B and G were out as skirmishers and went most round the rebs and did not see many, but the ball fell in the brush around them. We expect to remain in McPherson's Corps, first brigade, second division, 16th Army Corps.

Don't get discouraged anymore than you can help. Don't do anymore than you are obligated to. If you had a good chance, your patience would be good. I guess you have always had a very hard row. I hope when I get home I can make it easier for you by doing better myself. How many potatoes did Martin plant? You should not lug them from father's to plant. Your day's work is big as I can do when I am at home. What will you do about the cart? How much butter do you make in a week? Gideon got cheated in trading I guess didn't he?

I have heard Dore say nothing about the town affairs. Don't know whether I shall say anything to him or not. How does it turn? Write what you hear about it. Who is his bail? What does Tina say now? I would like to hear him call Ma. Is Elburn a pretty good house builder? I should like to come home and see you all at your business. If all of them women get pay you are entitled to it. If any that came away last winter get any you ought to. Do as you may think best but if the rest get it, find out by them how they have to do and act accordingly.

Darland will bluff as much as he can and it is not certain when I shall get pay. Not while we face the enemy. Ask him what he thinks you ought to do. If what you raise ought to be taxed to pay healthy women with no children and no wood to buy. I wish you would tell him that for everything you raise will be taxed, some counties give $200 bounty and pay the families besides. Howard county for one. They bring corn cut up to feed most as high as my head. This is foolishness.

In answer to your four letters, but I have no news. Will on the next page explain some military movements flanks and when we fall in we stand in two lines about two feet apart the front from the rear and close enough to each other to have room to move our arms then to march. The command is given, "right face" (the regiment is dressed up in a straight line), right face, turn towards the right. Here is the lines ----|---- the dots are the colors and banner, the top is front, in right face towards the right hand, four abreast. We always, in marching, go four abreast and at the command "by the left flank, march" we face as at first in two lines and march.

When we were in the woods at Rays ferry we were marching by companies. The front of each company even four-men abreast and when we heard the rebs, the woods was so thick we could not see them. We were brought in two lines facing east, then left wheel, turned, faced the north towards the road, heard the rebs give a yell, and knew they were coming at us.


We answered them and started for them without unfurling flags or fixing bayonets or orders to charge. The balls rattled like hail and the sounds of guns was a continued roar. Men were hit on both sides of me and they tore the fence down by the side of the road, but in the mess I got crowded from the side of the flag and I climbed the fence amid the shower of bullets to gain my place. Can't say as I was much excited. Did not think of much danger.

Saw some that were shooting right to our men. Went to them, told them to be more careful. Some stuck their guns up over the top of the fence and shot most straight up. We halted a moment in the field and some stepped forward to some bushes top of the hill and some behind were shooting. I stept to them told them to lay down to load their guns or they would be shot by some of our own men, as I think they were. Some run as quick as the balls began to fly.

You may think I am bragging but I did not shoot my gun and all I had to do was to keep up and look and see what the rest were doing. Did not see any rebs till they were running for the woods on the opposite side of the field and we buried about thirty and found where the rebs had a lot more buried and took over 20 prisoners, some of them women. There was only our regiment and less than 500 men, and there was part of two brigades of rebs, the prisoners say, and we have taken some lately here that was in that fight.

A brigade contains four to six regiments. In an orchard where the rebs were hid and where our batteries shelled them, there was three rebs laying close to each other, killed by a shell. One had his head entirely blown away. Another half of his. The third torn terribly. On the breast there was a large brick house and our balls, cannon, and shells had pierced it in all directions. The prisoners say there was a family in it when our first shot struck it.

It was a reb headquarters. There was lots of medicine, bacon, beans, corn, tobacco, dresses all left, and nice furniture. I got a nice ham and that tape or braid that I sent in a letter. I don't know as you can make anything out of this. When it was all over and we went back over the ground, it caused more of a sense of fear than all of the rest. I did not think it such a hard fight, but old soldiers say it was as hot as they ever saw, but it was short. I am not anxious to get another but if it comes, I shall not flinch. Pray for me. Write often.

Good-bye my dear from your affectionate husband.
C. T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ I take the first opportunity to write you a few lines, yet I don=t know when I can send it. Hope soon. I am well, and all the boys the same. I see that you had not got letters informing you of my leaving Prospect, yet I have written several times. I received one from you the 18th. It was indeed welcome visitor and it contained very good news. I did not answer the one I got before that, in full, for the want of time.

We are whittling the rebellion since my last [letter]. We have been pursuing them towards Atlanta. We have drove them 50 miles and our advance is skirmishing with them every day. We are driving them so hard that they can=t destroy the railroad. They ran cars here yesterday, and this morn we were awaked by the whistle of the engine in the hands of the Yankees. About one mile south is a river quite large, and the rebs piled cotton on the bridge and rails and attempted to burn it, but the Yanks were so close that they did not injure it much.

We shall follow them close. We are almost in the rear of our army. The report is that in the skirmishing yesterday we took 2 or 3,000 prisoners with 1 brigadier. Don=t worry if you don=t get letters as often as you did, for we have marched every day but 3 since April 29th, and been under fire several, and been in one fight. The 17th of May we marched 12 miles after 8 at night. The 18th we went 10 miles and stopped near a place called Adairville at 2 o=clock. Our advance captured near this place 1 regiment of infantry and a company of cavalry and 2 or 3 guns. We don=t see all the prisoners but we seem some every day. We left there at 8 p.m. and marched till 1 or 2 a.m. and camped in a field that our advance drove the rebs out of in the morning. In the morning we had orders to pack up and be ready to start at a moment=s warning, but staid till 1 p.m.

Expect every minute to hear Col. Parrot holler Afall in 7th Iowa@ so you can see what nice chances we have to write. This morning we got up, got breakfast B coffee, crackers, beef cooked on a stick, salt pork, and sugar. We don=t have as much sugar as we could use, but we are saving of it. Then Judd, Dock, myself took out our materials and went to writing, as we had no orders to pack up yet.

I was glad to get a paper but there is lots of papers comes every mail. You had better not send them very often. Jud got one a day or two ago. I see Dubuque, NY, St. Charles, West Union, and many others. The Star. I did not get time to read it as much as I wanted to as someone else took it and I did not see it any more. I had rather have them than others, but you need not send very often.

The Black Troop has played out. We left Prospect and that too. We got a paper soon telling the tale of the 32 Regulars on the Red River.

Does N Crumb get any better? Crumb is not with us. They thought he could not stand the marches and sent him to drive team or something else. We don=t know where he is. His letters some of them come here and we don=t know where to send them.

We heard J. Darland was a home and was going to marry Hat Rex. Judd has a piece of the wedding dress.
You claim all of Emmerson's cunning and write it to me so I still get a share. Keep doing so and once in a while kiss the puckered up lips for me. Tell Nora pa is glad she is such a good girl. Tell her to keep being such a good little trot foot and pa will have lots of kisses for her when he gets home, and will bring something else. You kiss her for ma a good many times every day. Serve them all the same way. I should like to, but you must be my agent.

Did you get some crackers when you got the blankets? I sent some and the rest of the women did about Joe at Dubuque.
There was a soldier going with us and he was acquainted with a family and when the glass blowers exhibited, he wanted some of the boys to take two girls to the show. He introduced J and H Larribee and they took the girls. They were young. The oldest not over 17, but they were not bad girls and when they found the boys had families they were indignant of the meanness. That is all.

But there was a boy form some other place enlisted and run away when we were there and Captain Adams sent 6 or 7 boys of us over to that house that I told you of but none of the boys done anything wrong, and it was the only time that any of our boys was over there. We did not find the boy but we found a lot of blankets and they sent after them in a day or 2.

Say nothing of this to anyone and them, and they can=t get you in the muss. You know about it and write to me what you are a mind to and I will answer it. What do you say about it up there? None of the Marble Rock boys that are at the Negro quarters.

I am a color guard, walk by the side of the flag. When we are not moving they can=t make me do any other duties. The flag is in the center of the regiment.

I guess I have answered all of that letter. I can=t get time to write to Nancy and I owe Lou Inman a letter and one to father and can=t get time to write all I want to you. Tell them I will answer theirs when I can. If you have any way to get stamps that you can spare, send once in a while one as it is hard to get them on the march and I have got a dollar and the boys owe more than 1 more and don=t expect to get pay till this campaign is over or stops for something, don=t know when.

Much love to you all. Your affectionate but unworthy husband.

C. T. Ackley



He wrote the following letter²¹ Kingston [GA] [May] 20th 9 o=clock

No orders to leave yet and so dear wife, I thought I would write a long one and it would make up for not as often. I will try to answer the letter that I got the 18th. I know you have a very hard row to hoe. It was ever hard, [even] if I did try to smooth it. I was a poor hand and did not make much headway. Try and take it as easy as you can, Prescot notwithstanding. If the precious baby gets well and good and you and N and R are well, and they are good as I hope they will be, you perhaps can take some comfort. Take as much as you can. If I was there I would take real comfort.

Where did you get cottonwoods? How does grain and grass look? It is headed out here. We have heard that our letters would not go any farther than Chattanooga for 20 days, 10 days ago. Don=t know how certain it is, so you will be quite disappointed. Look in the papers for all the orders about the army. We are in the first brigade, second division, 16th Army Corps. I am sorry your thumb is sore.

I drew my rubber blanket. Don=t know what it cost. It is valuable. It is bed we spread on the ground to lay on and when it rains it keeps the water out. How much milk does the cows give? What is butter worth? Egbert is corporal. I had rather wash at home than in the army. Some of the boys are washing today. They go to the creek and pitch in.

Do you think Emmerson would know me if he could see me? Can he tell whose likeness mine is? Does grandpa take much notice of the dear children? You wrote you wrote and sing him to sleep. Did you? If you get that room done if it will be best to board it up and down, there is logs in the woods of ours the right length to board up the side. Get M or G to draw it to one of the mills if you can. Who made out the bill for you? I cut one stick for a longsill. Martin knows where it is. I guess your bill is near right.

I don't know certain as we get more pay. The Tribune in congressional news say Sen Schenk offered bill. It passed the House 185 for, none against, and other papers say it is law.

I can read this letter but can=t say you can mine. If little sugars was where I could get at them, they would get the most of my sugar besides something else [?unclear word?]. Dear, I know it would do me good to see him and you and all the rest of you, stick up your mouths.

Get lumber of Sam if you can. Don't take only good. It is hard work to go so far and draw [pull along?] Emmerson. Where was Nora and Elburn?

Those three letters, some of them told you that I was traveling. I guess we are encamped on a steep side hill near a mill ditch, some like Uncle Bills, and there is more covered wagons in sight than could stand on your whole farm and they are coming and going out all the time. They are mostly six mule teams, yet there is some of all kids and there is no end to soldiers.

It is 10 o'clock. No orders, but it was sung out Afall in 7th Iowa Co B,@ and they searched the knapsacks. Somebody had been in a house and took some money, silk dresses, and shawl. They found none in B and I guesss not in the 7th. Some boys got some bacon. They did not care if the boys only took something to eat, but some breaks some furniture. The papers say Massa is a reb captain and left yesterday. [The letter ends here.]


He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife,

There is a prospect of our leaving here in the morning. I thought I would write you a good long letter, although I wrote on yesterday and half a sheet this morning. I guess you will get tired of reading so much nonsense, but I may not have a chance very soon, as it is reported that we are to start in the morn with 20 days' rations. If so my dear I can't write very often.

My dear wife and children, I love you with all my heart. Keep up good courage and spirits, as you can tell the children pa loves them and wants them to be good children. Mind ma and love her and love and pray for pa. Kiss and hug them for me and tell them pa would like to kiss them himself, and they must kiss ma for me.

It looks very much now as if this rebellion would be put down this summer, as the government is making a mighty effort and it is having effect upon the stronghold of treason. We of this army have drove them from three very strong places: Dalton, Sugard's Roost, and Resaca, and are still driving them yet, and we drove them over 40 miles and are now within 55 miles of Atlanta, which place we expected to help take, but now I guess they think they have got men enough to whip them here and will send us some other place. Some say Texas, some Arkansas, and some Mobile. We know nothing about it but are ready to march or do anything else for our country and our homes, hoping this cruel war will soon end and I may return home to my dear family.

Write all you can. How does the crops look? The stock and if the dear children grow much. What they do and say and how you all get along and did you read that to Prescott that I wrote to him. Tell him he ought to deal with Bedell and nobody decent. What is the prosect of your getting that room done? How does your folk all get along? How are their sheep? Always remember me in your prayers and may God continue to bless you and give you all good health, is my prayer. Good-bye, good and dear, from your affectionate husband and ones father. Good bye.

C T Ackley

If you don't get letters quite as often, they contain as much love and I have a great deal to do when on the march. Good bye.
C T Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I received your welcome letter yesterday. It does me a great deal of good to hear from you and also to hear that you are well. But I am very sorry that your thumb is so bad yet. I don't see how you can milk.

Your letter finds me in very good health. The most of the boys are the same. Have not heard from Judd since he went to the hospital. A J A is going there today. He has had diarrhea and when he lays still he gets better fast, but yesterday we marched five miles and it made him worse and he concluded to go to the hospital today and it is several miles from here.

As quick as we march the clerkship plays out, but I am color guard and don't have anything to do when we are not moving. The rest of the boys are falling in now of our Co to build breastworks. That I don't have to do now.

As to my improving penmanship that is impossible in the situation we have to write in. I thought while at Prospect I was improving. Judd did not say anything bout what father wrote about Ems spending so much. I know how much he sent, $75. Some of the boys owed him and paid him so he sent home all his bounty and pay.

If I was there I would help keep the baby still so you could write. You must have a lively time with six children. How did they agree about that coffee? We had two or three lbs and talked of sending it home, but the box was so small that there was barely room for our overcoats and Egbert could not get his in and there was but little time and boxes were very scarce. I should like to have sent my old pants. They were pretty good. I drew a new pair and then mended the seat of the old ones and soon after we started, boys began to throw away things. We sent the box to Woolsy Hawks. I didn't throw anything away till I got to Huntsville, then drew off the old pants and cast one aside. I got almost a new blouse that was going to be thrown, in the place of mine.

We did not have full rations of coffee and we used some of that we had and we left our knapsacks at Snake's Gap. The first breastworks we built and they were kept back till after we had the fight at Calhoun ferry. They come to us and the coffee was gone and A J A portfolio and paper and envelopes were also gone. I try to write all the particulars, but when we talk of doing anything that is uncertain, I don't have time or room always to write such things but if anything turns up I general write about it.

When at Prospect the boys had some lice. I had a few but I washed my own clothes and gave them a good boiling and our squad washed ourselves all over and we were soon rid of them. The reason I did not write: at the time Joe wrote such a thing lingo and then it slipped my mind. If you want me to write anything write and I will answer to the best of my ability. I have not give that writing to Joe as we marched last night after I got it, and this morning he has gone with the rest to work. I shall the first opportunity. He is not near as rough as he was and A J A left off his swearing.

I am glad Nora knew those letters. I want her to be a good girl and learn to read if she can. Tell Elburn pa would like to see his white head. Is he a good boy? I am glad Emmerson's head is well. Dear, I love you very much and also the little ones which accept correct.

This time does Rexes folks think Em spends so much. I wish father would have a talk with her father. If Judd should not get back or be made a cripple, she will wish she had been a little saving. Tell father what I write about it. Tell him that he must not think I don't love and respect him if I have not answered his letter. My letters to you will keep him informed of me and when I am in camp and know I can stay long enough I shall write, but when I set down to write to my dear wife I am not sure that I shall get half done till Col Parrott will cry "fall in" and then everything has to be dropped. The mail leaves at 10 o clock and it is now 11. Tell Lou the reason I don't answer him. Tell him to keep writing. His letters gives me encouragement and when I can, I'll give him a long answer.

We paid the freight on that box that we sent our coats in. They would not carry it unless we did. Money is not temptation to me here. When I am hungry and tired and marching all night I would give $100 to be there long enough to have a good meal, warm, well cooked, and certainly I should have some kisses before I eat, but someone has got to go and a man has a precious a family as I has a great deal to fight for.

It is raining and I am trying to write sitting under a wagon and if the wagon goes I will have to stop. My dear, be as careful as you can of yourself. I wanted to tell all that had happened since I wrote last, but we have been in hearing of cannon and musketry all the time, and considerable of the time close to us. Pray for me.

I love you dear. Keep up good courage. It is going well. If I had time I would a very long letter but the elements and men hinder one. I have not been to dinner yet. It is time. Love for you all. The sun shines but it looks as if it would rain in a minute and it is most mail time. Who is going from there on the 100 day call? Tell them to walk in as we are cramping the rebs and don't want to stop to tend to things in the rear.

Does the cows give a good lot of Milk, and what is the butter worth? I have enough, such as it is but is not as good as we have it at home. The artillery of heaven is sounding in my ears and that of men also. Kiss all round for me and write as often as you can. Good bye Dear wife. Your unworthy but affectionate husband.

C T Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I have just got word that we can send mail at three. It is seven now. It is cloudy. It rained yesterday some and a great deal last night, but I was where I was dry and warm. My health is quite good, but I have been grunting for a few days had some diarrhea and headache and dizziness, but the first is all gone and the others nearly. Have been laying still.







Since my last of the second exception, in the morning of the third, we were awake at two o clock and packed up to go into the breastworks that were built the second, about 40 rods in front of us. Went down there before daylight and here we are now. The company had to go on picket a mile or so in front and less than half mile from rebel pickets, but all was quiet near them, but left of us we can hear a gun occasionally.

There is fighting in hearing every day. Hooker has had some very hard fights and has whipped the rebs every time. And the first of June was at Marietta, and Thomas and Schofield had swung to the left of the railroad and towards Atlanta and now Hooker has left and Howard are following up and it is reported he is at the river near Atlanta.

Our lines are 24 miles long. The rebs are on the mountains and we are around in the shape of a horse shoe. The first we fell back five miles to draw them out and give Hooker a chance on the left, and our scouts say the rebs are falling back in a hurry and it is probably the case and our forces are getting between them and Atlanta and cutting off their supplies.

A deserter came in a day or two ago. He was a Missourian and was in the fight where they charged our works in the night of the 29th. He says he did not fire but laid down behind a log. He says they lost over 200, but they removed their dead and wounded before morning. It was very dark and in thick woods, and (he said) that when they were after them our men heard them and thought they were coming to renew the attack. We had none killed and only three or four wounded.

Everything looks favorable here and the news is very good from Grant. There is not many inhabitants left and what there is are very poor. Before we had been here 24 hours we issued rations to some of them. They don't want to go towards the rebs but would like to go towards the north and as they have not teams and we can't spare any, they have to stay here. If we should leave, their loyalty would go with us. If we make them leave these mountains and we have got them nearly to the end, if they get away without much more fighting, we will have better ground and no mountains and not as much timber. If they are not leaving they will catch fits where they are.

We are getting reinforcements all of the time and recruits that came here a day or two ago said the roads were full of troops and all the places also and they were being relieved by 100 day men. I don't know how many men there is in this expedition but there is considerable over 200,000. The deserters say their officers say they have here 65, 000 and he said they generally try to make them believe they have more than they have, but certainly have not more than 100,000 and some of them are getting discouraged.


Deserters and prisoners say their officers told before they charged our works at Dallas that our troops there were all 100 day men come down for the pleasure and were leaving and would not fight. They did not all believe it. Some did and got sadly disappointed. The land is rougher here than Ostege and more than half timber. The crops don't look very well. Where there is wheat it is headed out but our horses and mules have free range in it so there is none left when we are gone.

I told Joe you had written to him some and I guessed I would tear it off for him. He said, "No, read it" but I tore it off and he read it and told me to tell you it was good and he thanks you very much and he spoke very feelingly and appeared in earnest. He told me to tell you he had not used an oath for nearly four weeks and he was sorry he talked as he did that night at our house. He said he had always been a wild fellow and his parents he used to think were too strict with him but he was now convinced it was right and for his good. He never had thought of it soberly before. A J Asper has left off his swearing since he has been in the army, but there is a great deal of it here.

I heard from Jud the day I wrote to you last and he was getting along fine. Have not heard from A J A or him since. If father would talk to Em's father and tell him if Judd should never get back she would have it pretty hard.

My dear how do you get along and how does the dear little precious children get along? What do they say and do? How much wheat did Martin sow on our land and how much oats is he going to plant? Your potatoes - have you got any potatoes and where and what did you pay? How does your corn hold out? Write all about your stock and farming. Are the cottonwoods you planted living and your currents and strawberries and has your apple trees come? What do you think of getting more broke?

Have you heard from Skinner? You must recollect I paid Prescott for one bushel of Hungarian seed. Get it sowed, if you can, over to the Martins and if it does well and grain does well, that with the straw will nearly keep your stock. If I don't get back you had better hire that sowed if you can so you can have it all.

My dear wife I love you and want you to pray for me and be as careful of yourself as you can. Don't work too hard if you can help it. Tell the children pa loves them very much and would like to see ma and them. Tell them pa is glad they are good and he wants them to keep being good. Hug them and kiss them hard for me and tell them to serve you the same for me. Tell Leanora and Elburn to try and pray for pa so that the naughty men can't hurt him.

If our folks don't take all of the fence in their pasture away, get them to make you a small pasture for your calves there in the corner. Keep up good courage as you can and write as often as you can. I will do the same. Tell Lon to keep writing. Now I have time to write to him but there is no sutter or store here and paper and envelopes and stamps will not permit me. I must write to you every opportunity. He can consider this an answer to his and keep writing. Read as much of this to father as you wish and tell him to keep writing as I can read more letters than I can write. Also to keep praying. I get considerable time to read my Bible and a number of papers. Much love to you from your unworthy and affectionate husband.

Charles T. Ackley

How do you prosper getting lumber; get Gideon or Martin to draw that short log of mine in the woods. It will make most half enough to board up the side of the room.
C T A

Give my respects to all that may enquire. Tell them letters are welcome from any of them. We don't know how long we will stay here or where we shall go. I don't have to go on guard or picket now.
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

It is with a great deal of pleasure that I improve this opportunity to scratch you a few lines hoping they will find you all enjoying the great blessing of health. The good Lord is giving me quite good health at present.

I have just been to supper. We had fried pork and fried crackers, coffee and green applesauce. They are as large as hens eggs some of them. But not many as large. It went first rate. The doctors say they will be good for us if they are well cooked. I also had a small piece of boiled beef. This is the best meal I have had since I left Prospect. This is of no interest to you but I thought I would give you a bill of a tip top meal.

We sat on knapsacks and under a tent made by setting two posts in the ground 4 feet high and a rail across the top and then the rails one end on the ground, the other on the rail on the posts and our gum blankets on them. It makes a good shade and also keeps the rain off. It has sprinkled a little today. There is a village of just such houses here.

You will wish I would write some sense but I have not much sense or news - but I have seen Jud. He is in the hospital about one mile from here. He is quite sick but said he thought he was better. He came here yesterday and the riding over rough roads hurt him some. He told me to tell you to tell Em where he is and not to send any more stamps till he orders them, as he has plenty and got some of them today.

You may send a few to me if you can and I will feel thankful to you as I want to write often to my dear ones whom I love above all things on earth, and I hope and pray that this rebellion may soon be crushed and long-separated ones soon be restored to each other.

Things look well now as far as we can see and hear; the rebs have been whipped so often here that they are taking French leave or some other. Prisoners and deserters say this was their strong hold and so does their papers and the last news from Grant and he was doing well. Then you hear as much as we do I expect. We have not heard the sound of battle for two or three days and that is the first day that had passed since we were at Calhoun ferry May 14th.

There is a rumor that we are going to be guarding the railroad. If true it will (be), to use an army phrase, a "soft thing" which is good enough for a soldier, if it will help the work. The railroad is of the utmost importance as the army depends on it a great deal for supplies. It is not running yet out here but soon will be. It is about 100 miles from Chattanooga and 38 or 40 to Atlanta. We are all in hopes we will stay on the railroad. We don't know yet.

I can't tell how to direct to Jud but they will come here and I can get them to him till he writes or returns to the company. He may be sent north to some hospital if he is well enough and don't get well soon. The mail goes out at eight in the morning. It is almost sundown and I don't know whether I shall finish this tonight. I am in hopes I shall get a letter before that time. If we stay here we will probably get pay before long but I don't know if I had got an allotment ticket. You might have had some of the money to help you.


Captain Reinniger said he would send often the blanks but did not get them before we came from Prospect and I don't know whether he sent or not. All officers are not as obliging as they might be and he is at Prospect yet. I guess he is not here and Sam says they tried it once. Sent to Iowa for their proper blanks, got them and filled them properly and sent them to Washington and that is the last they heard of it, but there was some miscarriage somewhere. I shall urge Capt if I see him. He did not reenlist and they left the most of such behind but we have heard they were ordered to their regiment. Don't know yet.

My dear how do you get along and are you almost worn out? I want you to be as careful as you can possibly be. Shirk from hard work as much as you can. Don't do too much outdoors. Let some of it go as I did when I was there. Are the little ones a great deal of trouble? As much or more as the dear little mischiefs was when I was there? How I should like to get ahold of them and you too my dear. My thoughts are on you the most of my wakeful hours and sometimes in my dreams I pay you a short visit but it soon vanishes. But I love you very much and I know you love me same. Tell the dear children pa sends them love and kisses. Give them and tell them (it is too dark) good night. Kiss for you all.

Morning, 8th June. I have no mail yet and had not heard from Jud since yesterday. Want to go see him this morning but don't know whether I can, as we have to get a pass to go anywhere and I don't know as they will give me one or not. We left the place where I wrote the last letter the same day. Sunday at two and came about eight or ten miles. Staid there till ten a.m., then started, went about one mile, stopped for dinner. We fooled along until nine at night to get five miles. There was a long string of wagons and we had to wait for them to pass and then they went very slow and poor roads and they were continually stopping every few rods. I don't know yet where we are going but Sam thinks we will camp here somewhere for a spell.

Have you got any lumber yet? If you can't get it anywhere else, try at the steam mill. Can you get Russell to help on the house any? Can you send to the falls for nails, sash and glass? Write as often as you can my dear. Tell father to write and not wait for me. Give my respects to all who may enquire. My love to you and the children. Do the cows do well and give lots of milk and what is butter worth? Pray for your affectionate husband.

C T Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I embrace this opportunity to pen you a few lines. It is Sunday and all is quiet. We left camp near Acworth the 10th and came here 5 miles and have been here ever since. It has been some[what] rainy for 3 days and it has rained steady since in the night. It is 1 o]clock AM. The boys are generally well although somewhat worn out by long marches in hot weather. We are resting some now and have been for several days, but we are again within hearing of cannon and musketry although we have heard none today, but there was a great deal of it yesterday, and it was reported that Hooker was going to charge the Rebs on a high hill 3 miles from us in sight. The hill is steep in front, and we have troops at the foot, and the steepness and thickness of timber prevents their bringing their guns to bear on our men. By getting around it, it is not so steep, and if they don't leave soon, they will find Zoe Hooker climbing for them, and when he climbs a mountain, they are sure to come down. It is thought that Thomas and Schofield are near Atlanta. They went to our left and east of the mountains, and we have heard no definite news from them for 2 weeks. It is reported [that] they are within 8 miles of Atlanta. Don't know [for sure] but there is something going on, and this quiet will not last long. There is a great deal of looking for news from Grant. The last [news] was good: his army held a position 7 miles from Richmond, preparing to play Vicksburg with the reb Capitol. This part of the grand army of the Union have faith and confidence that it will succumb to Grant before the 4th, or by that time. If so, the rebellion is played out. Their [news]papers place all on this campaign, and it is the last great campaign. The rebs have been driven nearly 100 miles since we have been in the field, in a continuous range of mountains and out of several strongly fortified positions, and our army is continuously advancing. There was an immense army here yesterday moving all the time towards the enemy, and may God grant to crown our efforts with swift and speedy crushing of the rebellion and a permanent peace. May we all put our trust in him who doeth all things well.

I have not heard from Judd since the 10th. He was better and gaining. He was sent to Altoona 5 miles back from Acworth. The cars were running to that place then, and last they came rushing down here. The rebs burned the bridge across the river at Altoona. It was a long bridge, but the Yanks had a new one in less than a week and the Iron horse walked over.

Some of the boys of the 52nd Ill [Div] stopped at a house before we got to Acworth and [he] said there [he] saw a young lady of more intelligence than any he had seen in this campaign. She said the bridge was destroyed and could not be rebuilt in less than two months. He told her it would not take over 5 or 6 days. She said it could not be done in that time. He told her we had the iron, timber, and everything framed and ready to put up for every bridge between Chattanooga and Atlanta -- and their measure -- before this campaign began, and then her eyes were very enlarged at that, which was truth, and I guess she thought it was in 3 or 4 days when the cars came whistling along [in] the sun within 12 miles of our front. I hear the familiar talk of cannon and the rime continues.

Burt has come with some apples and I will help eat them. I have had no mail for some time but expect some today from my dear wife and family. I will say good bye for a little while.


Noon and still raining but looks brighter. I guess it has softened up the road so it will be slow moving artillery and ammunition wagons, but they will move if necessary, but it looks as if we were not to press the Rebs too close till he gets them all right there; then I guess we will pitch in worst than ever. Some of our troops on picket last night [were] in hearing of Rebs. When the cars came in, they said AYou Yanks have got the cars running to bring your provisions, haven't you?@ They not only bring provisions but also men, Yankees to fight.

I have nothing interesting to write. If I get a letter, I would know what to write. I have written two since getting any and run dry for news. We don't know whether we are going to guard the railroad or not. Some still think so yet, but I guess no such good luck to us at present. But where we can help on the work to the best advantage, we are ready and willing to go as far as we can and do all we can to hasten the end of the rebellion and the return to the loved ones. I love you very much although far away and would like to see you above all things, but I try to have patience to wait and am encouraged to think it will be before the 3 years are out. Tell Leanora Ellen and Elburn David and Emmerson James [that] pa loves them and wants them to be good children, mind ma and love her and love each other and pa. I can see them as they used to patter around and after and when feeding calves, milking and other things and baby looking out the window. Are they good and do they learn to read and do you think baby would know me if he should see me? Does he talk much and do they grow much? I expect you go to [Lodge] meeting once in a while. I have been to no meetings since I was in Nashville. Tell the friends (brothers and sisters) to remember me in their prayers, that I may be faithful and do my duty in the fear of God. Tell the little ones to pray for pa. He has no little children to kiss him here, or ma to help him, and lots of naughty men [are] around and the Rebels not far off. How do the crops look? If you had the rain and then came off warm as it has been here, they would grow very fast. Things grow very fast here. Wheat is light. It is sowed so thin and the land is not half as good as it is there. It is most fit to harvest corn. Some of it is knee high, but our horses and mules are harvesting wheat, oats, and corn. The potatoes are almost as large as hens eggs -- and the apples -- and the boys harvest them as they go. Between men, mules, and horses, there is a pretty clean sweep made with grain cattle, sheep, hogs, chickens and everything edible for man or beast. And the fences make good firewood for us, and we gather them when and where we want them.

How does Em get along? What did she say to Judd's being sick? What did Father say about speaking to her father? I shall have a talk with Judd when I have a good chance. I will send you some poetry. You show it to Em. Tell [her] that the soldiers think it is true with their wives. My dear, I don't think so of mine. I know better, but I want her to get her eyes open. If Judd was here, I would try to get him to send it to her, but [I] might lose it before I see him. How do you get along? Can you get any clothes? Anyway I know you can't get much if any. I wish you could when I am paid. You must have a little chance for yourself. A.J.A. got quite a lot of paper from home by the last mail and he gives me considerable. He expects stamps soon and envelopes. I got 8 stamps of Judd the 9th. It will last a spell but it is hard to get envelopes. I don't try to write to anyone but my dear ones till I get material. Give my respects to Father and Mother. Read the most of these letters to them. Tell him to write. You can tell him where I am and how I so want to hear from him and would write to him if material was to be had. My respects to all and love to you and the children. Pray for me and write often.

Your unworthy but affect[ionate] husband, C.T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

Although I have received no letters of late, yet I still have the privilege of writing, which I will improve often, hoping these letters will find the way to you quickly and find you all blessed with good health, which I now enjoy, having recovered from my grunting spell. As bad as I want letters it would do me more good to know that you receive my letters than it would to get one from you, as the papers tell of the news of this army, and if you don't get my letters, you will think then something has happened to me, but through the mercies of God I am well and sound, although I have been hearing of the cannon for 44 days today, inclusive, and some of the time the missiles of destruction have flew all around me and many have been wounded near me and some have been killed.

A captain of Company H was slightly wounded almost at my side at the battle on the 15th of May, in his leg above the knee, but he is well and here now, but has been at home in the time, but a kind Providence has kept me safe thus far. There is heavy fighting a few miles from us every day. The rebs are still on this hill. Our men have some of their works and a great many prisoners and some cannon and we have got most around them and there is fighting the most of the time night and day. Night before last the rebs made five charges on a portion of our works occupied by the 14th and 4th corps. The second time they drove our men back a little from their works but they rallied and their reserve came up and drove them back with great slaughter but they tried it for three times during the night and they were repulsed with great slaughter while our loss was not very heavy.

Some of the prisoners say they would have left here before this if we had not got around and destroyed their pontoons and it was too dangerous to undertake to cross the river till they could provide some way to cross. It was reported they charged on old Joe Hooker day before yesterday in the afternoon and he had his cannon well loaded and kept his men down behind the works and the rebs thought they were not met with any resistance, came rushing on yelling and some of them got even to climbing the works when they were met with a terrible fire of cannon and musketry which cut them down like grass and then our men jumped over the works and drove them back with such impetuosity that they could not be rallied till they were driven past two lines of their works which were occupied by our men.

The fighting here is not general or decisive but we gain on them every day; in all of the engagements not over a quarter of our men are engaged at a time, owing to the face of the country, which is rough and mountainous. Some think they will stand a siege on this mountain as it is the strongest place they have got, as if they leave here they leave the natural defenses of the mountains as this is the last range in this part of the country, and in an open and level country we can move quicker and with our superior force could soon use them up, as then we could bring all our men in at once. It is likely they will stand here as long as they can and then if we don't get entirely around them they will leave.

Everything as far as we can learn is working favorable thus far. The two main armies have met with no reverses but are continually driving and defeating the rebs. You know most as much about how the thing stands as we do. The papers give nearly the correct news. I have seen an account of the part we took in the fight of the 15 May on the Ostanaula river at the ferry in but one paper - The Public Records, A. J. Felts' paper printed at West Union.


We are four or five miles from the fighting and there is soldiers and fortifications all the way. Several lines of them. We may not stay here long, but there is over 1000 teams here and it has rained every day we have been here till today. It is most 10 and clear. The mud is so bad teams with heavy loads can't do much and we will not leave the teams unless some others come to guard them, and that we don't expect. That we are still in hopes of guarding the road at some place.

I heard from Jud yesterday he is getting almost well. One of our men that has been in the hospital came here yesterday. He said Jud said he would be very well. He has a very bad diarrhea but he is better today. (Private: There is something the matter with him; all the time he is discouraged and I guess he is homesick most of the time.) The rest of the boys are pretty well. Doe is grunting some but he is getting along most well.

I will send Nora a little hymn book in this. Tell her she must be careful of it and try to learn some of the hymns to sing to pa when I get home. I have got another pretty little book that I will send to Elburn in the next, and half dime. I guess I will send to Emmerson by and by. Tell them pa loves them and prays for them and wants them to be good children. Love and pray for pa and love ma and be good to help ma and each other. Kiss them for me, my dear, and reserve plenty of love to yourself, for I love you with all my heart. Write often and how you and everything gets along and I will get your letters by and by. It has been most three weeks since any of us got a letter from there; my last from you was mailed May 11, but I know that you have written several since that time. Keep writing my dear. I will also.

Have you got any lumber yet. How does your cows do - calves, garden, pigs and everything else? You must have a hard time to get such clothes as you need, and other things, but I guess you will get some money from here after awhile. Keep as good courage as you can, my dear. Do the dear children grow and talk any about pa? It would do his heart good to see you and them but they must have a country and laws to protect them.

Tell Alan G. to write, not wait, as he don't know the 100th part of the chance we have to write, and when we can get plenty of material I will write to him. I have paper and 12 envelopes now and three stamps. Give my respects to father and mother. Tell him to write. Give respects to all. Much love to you, my dear, and to the children. Pray for me. Good bye. Your affectionate but unworthy husband.

C T Ackley

Direct C T Ackley Co B 7th Iowa Infantry via Chattanooga and it will come without anything else. What do you think of trying to get some timber as I wrote in my last? Good bye dear love to you. You will have to sew Nora's book. It was found and gave to me.

He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I have just received welcome letters from you. After a long delay I got four at once. I am sorry you have been sick alone. It is bad enough if I was there to do what little I should if there, which is better than nothing, and I am glad also that you are better and that the children are well. I am well and I wrote to you yesterday but I thought that I must answer some of these letters, if we did not leave this place before I have time. Got seven letters for Jud, and don't know when I can get them to him if he does not come here, which I hope he will.

I will try to answer your letters in detail. One mailed May 21st. I expect you are tired every night, and when I am tired I feel cross - that you know. Where did you get your apple trees and where your cotton woods? If you can, forgive me for not doing better and tending to my own work and let other folks tend to their own. If you look out maybe you will find some one that you can get to stay with you. Try it and if you find a girl get her, if you do have pay. When I get my pay you can give. I don't know as you can get any one.

A little scolding now and then will not do me much hurt and I think when I get home I shall do my work mostly at home and make less foolish trades. If you get someone to fix the hog pen and calf pens, get M father to or G to fix them up good for you and nail the well curb good and strong. Has your thumb got well? It must of been tough milking. Which cow gives the most milk and what does Hi give for butter? I know you have a very hard time but I pray you may have strength to bear your burdens and that the time will hasten that I may be there to give you my poor but willing help and that I may be a better husband than before.

Is Elburn well now and how is Emerson's head? More of my careless neglect. But write just as you think every time. It does not make me love you any less and by relieving your mind you say makes me feel better and I know it does; keep on. Tell Nora pa is glad she prays for him and wants her to keep on and be a good girl, help ma all she can and help Elburn and Emmerson.

A. J. Asper directed some letters for me. He was writing and I did not think of anyone opening then. (?) I will direct them in the future if I can. I have sent no money. I shall send it by express when I get it, I guess. And I hope that will be soon. If I can send it home, don't sell too much wheat if you can get along without. How does your corn hold out?

Tell the children when I get home they can all get in my lap and get all the kisses they want and they may sleep with me too. Pa has kisses for all and I guess we won't quarrel about sleeping but I expect they will all want a chance. Tell Elburn to keep praying for pa. But he has not shot any rebs yet, but some of the men are shooting them all the time. You know your scolding as you call it never goes very deep on me and I guess it won't at this distance. Is Mrs. Baker helping house now? I forgive everything I have to forgive and love you always.

Was your throat like diphtheria? Nora is a good girl to do errands to g, pas and Martins. How many beans did he plant for you? There is not as many flowers here as there. Everything is overrun by men and horses and mules. Nora's writing looks like the marks of her little fingers. Tell her to be good to such a sweet little brother. I know it would do my soul good to see him and you too and all of my beloved family, but someone must suffer for our country, and a separation will not last always if we are faithful to God and our country. This answers one letter.


And now the one (letter) was mailed May 24th. How many children has Mrs. Sprague with her? Sprague's going to war amounts to a great deal... 1000 of miles for any enemy working for big wages looks like the love of money more than country. He is doing no more for the country than if he was at home raising grain. When I was unwell I felt the need of home and a kind and loving wife to sympathize and minister to me. A well man gets along very well but a sick man has it rather hard. AJA is complaining yet and Hi Clay went to the hospital today. It is diarrhea that ails him. Some of them say that Wm. H. Johnson gets drunk pretty often. His second wife must have wanted to get married bad. How does Abner's folks get along? Do you see them? I have wrote to John but never have got any from him and also Elder Hodge. Tell father to tell Aunt Sally to write to me. Give her my directions. Tell her to write Erustus and Henry's directions and tell them to write to me.
This answers the second one and it is 3 o'clock and there is inspection at 5 and I must clean my gun. It has rained so much lately that it is dirty. It has to stand out in the rain and shine. We keep ourselves dry mostly. It has been pleasant for two days now.

June 24. Well and have just been cleaning our camp ground. It don't look like leaving right off, but we may get orders at any moment now. I will try to answer the third letter dated May 24th mailed the 31st, the same time the one was mailed that was written the 29th.

I have written as often as once a week since I have left Prospect and the most of the time twice and sometimes oftener. Something has been wrong with the mail somewhere. Don't worry if they do miss once in awhile as they are on the road. I have sent seven since May 20th and you say that was the date of the last one that you got.

Tell Nora to learn to read and she can learn to write better letters and that I am very glad she prays for me and want her to keep praying and be a good girl and God will hear her. I am glad that Emmerson is such a sweet little boy and I would like to kiss him myself and her too, and ma and Elburn and hope they are all good children. Tell her to kiss all round for me and you do the same and accept my love.

It is curious that Jim's folks don't write, and your mother too. I set the numbers of my letters down and the date of them. It don't make much difference whether you do or not but I know when I wrote each one.

I suppose Darland would like to have some of the soldiers who got such bounty pay his taxes and some others, and let their families suffer when they don't get their pay from the town or from the U S for six months or more. They meet often to do something for the soldiers or their families, but in reality, to get their pay for that, is (what) the meeting of the board amounts to. We get all of their proceedings regularly in the St. Charles paper. Their time is out, as quick as the soldiers get home.

I guess you will get tired of reading this letter. If you do lay it till you miss getting one, read the rest. Tell Lou to write and also father. Good bye dear.

C T A


He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

With pleasure I take my pen to write you a few lines. This date finds me well. I have not heard from Jud since my last. Hiram Clay is better. He came from the hospital yesterday. AJA is at Big Shanty in the S Commission. He was getting better when he has got a good place.

The 26th we left our camp near Big Shanty at two o clock PM, marched 4 miles towards the mountain where the rebs stay. We camped in sight of their forts on a hill like that hill by Nadisons, below grandfathers. There is two high peaks, one in front of us. We are about 1 mile from the foot of the mountain. The other is to the right, west of the first.

We can see forts and breastworks, but they have showed us no cannon in front, but on the right they opened yesterday morn and then our guns opened on them and they did not throw many shots this way. There was a great many guns playing on them all along our lines, the most of the day. They moved their cannon on the right hill over out of sight and threw their missiles the other way. There was very heavy canonading at the right, partly around the hill.

Our men charged them round there and took one line of works and a regiment of rebs. There is continually in heavy. (?) We have met no reverse yet, are in good spirit and confident that this unholy rebellion will soon be crushed and I pray God may hasten the time. It is rumored that we are not to press them too hard till Grant gives them a little more.

Our army is on 3 sides of these mountains. Our right extends 10 or 12 miles and the left extends about the same distance, and the two extremities are not over 4 miles apart. Our lines are some in the shape of a horse shoe. Scholfield is on the right. FT Blair on the left. In front of our position is a line of skirmishers and they are cracking away at the rebs and the rebs at them. There has been some shots fired from our canon this morning but the rebs do not answer.

We can lay in our tent and see our shell burst all over the mountain and see the rebs run out of the way. Our skirmishers are climbing the hill slowly. They get behind trees and rocks and fire at every reb that they see and the rebs do the same. They were at it all night and got up the hill some, and are at it this morning. They lose some but it is slight. We are 4 miles from Marietta and 24 from Atlanta. This is the last end of the mountains and they are loath to leave it and we don't seem to be in a great hurry for them to leave.

We will work around them as much as we can and not let them get very far if we can help it. The weather is very warm. When we were coming here Sunday, quite a good many were overcome by the heat and fell out by the way. We are in the timber. Have good breastworks and the soldiers that were here that we relieved had built good shades with poles on crotches and brush on them. We were fortunate enough to get one that had a board floor. No telling how long we shall stay here. We are on the railroad but are in what is called the front. The cars don't run any farther.
Today makes 6 months since I enlisted and therefore have only 30 months to serve, if the war lasts. Ain't it encouraging, but I hope and pray it may not last very long.


I see by the St. Charles paper that the Supervisors have had their hearts opened and some one must have put in a wedge as they passed a law to give soldiers' families something. Each woman two dollars per month, each child $1.50. The paper gives the name of the women and the number of children and the amount each one draws per month. But it don't give you credit for any children or Joe Frost or Sam Sours, J Folger or Mrs. Baker. It gives Emily Ackley and three children 6.50 per month. Mrs Crumb 5 children 9.50 Mrs Clay 1 child 3.50 Ann Sours 2.00 J. Frost 2.00 Elizabeth Ackley 2.00, so you see they have made a mistake against you of 4.50 per month and more.

The same way the paper says the county clerk is to make out orders according to the above list, as often as once in two months to the first order on the first of August. You must look out and not let them cheat you out of it. John Montague will make out the orders, and he don't know whether we have any children or not. I guess if he could see them, he would know it and would (say) they were entitled to notice even by the hon(orary?) board of Supervisors of Floyd County.

My dear, I still love you with all my heart and also love the children, and pray to God to give you health and strength that we may be faithful and do his will continually. Tell the little ones pa sends them kisses and love and prays for them and wants them to be good help to ma all they can and each other and pray for pa. Has Nora her book and how does she like it? I will send one to Elburn in this. Tell him to keep it nice and let you read it and learn to read so he can read in it. Write the particulars of how you get along and everything.

Have you got any broke and any prospects of getting the house fixed? Give my respects to all who may enquire, especially our folks and the church. Tell them to pray for me that I may overcome and continue to the end. Pray for me dear and accept my dearest love. Write soon. Have had no letters since I got 4. Good bye from your devoted and affectionate husband.

Charles T. Ackley

I hear that Charley Peet is ranting round. If he comes there keep your axe where you can hew him with it. Keep it hind somewhere in the house and if you have fire give him boiling water in his face and down his neck
He wrote the following letter²¹ (This letter had no greeting or beginning. Larry had typed "page 5" at the top of the page and indicated pp. 6,7,8 throughout the letters. Perhaps this goes with the next letter, which has "page 9" typed at the top by Larry

There is an indication of the date, in that this was a response to a letter of May 29, almost certainly in 1864.)

Does the calf you got of father mate Duchys any better? But it will accommodate us to have them keep him some. Tell Julia to tell Martin to fix the calves into steers.

You think you are in a more healthful atmosphere than if you lived in either town. I think so too. You could get along first rate if you had someone to live with you to help you some. Get M or G to buy you a new hoe and let the children have the old one. Get a light one and keep it bright and it will hoe twice as easy as the old thing. Don't try to work too hard, too big a garden.

About the Sanitary Commission, if the object was fully carried out it would be a great thing, as it is in a few cases. Honest men get hold of it and then it is of great benefit, but most of the nurses and doctors are looking out for No. 1 and care not for the sick or well, if they make money and get plenty of the nice things to eat.

When AJA was in the hospital one morning one of the cooks (as he was around, they did not know but he was one of them) told him they had opened over 60 cans of fruit and preserves and AJA said not one of the sick got a taste. Judd, when he had been in about a week, said he had a spoonful of applesauce twice, the concentrated beef they had some and tea and sugar.

AJA was detailed to the Sanitary Commission yesterday and when he has been there a spell we shall know more. Lieut Col Parrot told him they wanted a man there that would not cheat sick and wounded men and as he had been in the hospital, he could sympathize with them. If he heard of his cheating them, he would put him in the front rank. I guess he will stop some of the smuggling if he has a chance. At least we will watch him close and he will look after some of these officer's officials that are no benefit here or anywhere else.

I can read your letters in spite of the mussing of the little precious ones. Can you read mine without long studying? I have no chair or table. Sometimes a box and sometimes nothing but my Portfolio on my knee, sitting on a board, blanket, or the ground. I know you are anxious to hear and I write often. When I was so long without letters it would have done me good to know that you get my letters regular. I had rather miss them than to have you, as you think we are in more danger than you are. It is so, but we are not in much at present. Although we are near fighting all of the time. It is quite still this morning. Something is in the wind. It is reported the rebs are trying to leave these mountains.

The youngest likes sugar as well as any. Are the folks planting much cane around there. If so, you had better engage what you want early. Maybe if you could get that 40 broke out and the room done, C. Wood would come and live in it and work the place, if I don't get home. You know best whether you want him to. You must curb the young Grant some, if you can. I will try to do right and pray for you.

Ans to the 3d letter 4th dated May 29. I expect some of the mail has been kept back, but guess it will go on regular now. I have been in the sound of battle about 45 days, and several very close, and have had shells screech all around.


One day, May 14th, laid flat on the ground behind a hill to support a battery, in case the rebs should make a charge on it and they sent shells bursting all around us but did not hurt any of us as we lay as we were on the side of the hill from the rebs. They were over the river. We were down from the top of the hill and when the shell came over the hill they passed over our heads, but one came not over five feet over where I lay and struck a rod behind us and rolled along and did not burst.

Company C was helping carry pontoons to the river and when returning to the regiment, about 20 rods off, a shell struck in the centre of them and mortally wounded three men, so they died, two of them that day and one the next, and wounded five more, some of them severe, others slightly. As we was marching to that place, the quartermaster's darky riding just behind had his horse killed under him.
I had rather not see shells take effect in that way, but it is going on all of the time. Am hearing they take prisoners very near us yesterday; in one squad one Colonel and 84 men came in, but the most of the fighting is on the right of us nearly south. Our lines extend 10 or 12 miles to our right and fighting Joe is down there somewhere.

The booming of cannon at a safe distance sounds well, but the whistle of the car and the ringing of the car bell sounds best of anything here. The cars run here. We are one mile from the depot. I expect my position as color guard will last through this campaign and maybe longer. I like it and am with the company nights when we are on the march, except we are in or expecting a fight. Then I have to stay with the flag in camp.

I stay with my company unless they are out on picket or skirmishing. Then I don't have to do any kind of guard or any other duty in marching the flag in the centre of the regiment followed by a banner. I walk one side of the flag, another guard the other. One each side of the banner and two to the right, four guards in all, and the color Sergeant carries the flag and is our leader. In time of battle we have to reserve our fire 'til it is necessary to save ourselves or the flag or 'til the Sergeant orders us. He says if we see the rebs running the other way, then we may fire as much as we are a mind to.

You need not send anymore stamps or other writing material. The rest have plenty and they owe me. I found three in one of your letters.

He wrote the following letter²¹ To while away the passing time as pleasantly as possible, I take my pen to write to you, which is the most pleasant employment I have, except reading letters written by you, but have not received any since June 25, when I got 4. Last night I received some paper and envelopes, for which I thank you very much, although I had quite a supply of paper. A.J.A. got 2 quires from home and he had borrowed of me and I bought 1/2 quire a few days ago. You need not send anymore until I write for more.

When I get some pay I think I shall get all paper and stamps from home as it is the cheapest way. Such paper as I have been using costs from 40 to 60 cts a quire here and buff envelopes 40 cts per package, and it only costs 2 cts to send 2 or 3 packages or 2 or three quires of paper, if the ends of the wrapper is left open. What does paper and envelopes cost there? There has been a time that we could get no paper and can't now unless our sutter comes or we have money - which is played out. I have 5 cts in silver, which I think I will send to Emmerson and a 5 cts paper currency and 30 cts in sutter tickets.

I never have been in debt to the sutter the most of the time. I bought 2 quires of paper of him before we left Prospect and 10 cts worth of apples and a bottle of ink, and that is all I have traded with him. We have not seen him since we left Prospect. The last we heard of him, he was at Chattanooga and was coming along, but does not and they are all out of patience with him, as they cannot get tobacco and it goes pretty with the salves of the weed and I am very thankful that I am not. Tobacco or whiskey does not bother me only in its use by others. As I have no letters to answer I can't write much. There is not much news.

There is some fighting all the time night and day, but it is mostly artillery and picket firing. The name of this mountain is Kenesaw. The rebs still hold the mountains and there is no great change in the lines. Only the right and left is still advancing. The 26th pontoons went to the front, which looks like crossing the river as if they were not ready for them. They would not send them there and if they are across the river or crossing. They are getting pretty near around the rebs and also near Atlanta.

Flanking is the order of the campaign as such hills can't be stormed. It is perpendicular for several feet in places and rebs in rifle pits above. You may want to know how rifle pits are formed. They pile up logs or rails and then dig a ditch on the side where they want to stay and throw the dirt over. Most of them have rails or logs on top raised little from the dirt so they can shoot through and not expose their head. The difference between breastworks and rifle pits - breastworks extend a long distance and have sometimes a ditch on the outside, and rifle pits sometime are only long enough to hold 2 or 3 men.

At 4 o clock last night we left our camp to go to the front at the foot of the hill, about a mile, to relieve another regiment on the skirmish or picket line. In passing an open space a man by the name of Bruce R. Burdick was hit by a reb sharp shooter in the left shoulder, near the point of the collar bone, and came out near the centre of the back and he died in 1 hour. He was a fine steady young man and came from Howard County. He is the only one Co B has killed and only 1 wounded by the rebs. I am on reserve with 3 companies. The 7 other companies are on the skirmish line. Co B with the rest. I have nothing to do, only to cook my own coffee and meat.


I have been to the company once last night and once this morning. They are in the rifle pits from 2 to 10 in a place about 30 rods from the foot of the hill, with an open field between them and the hill, and then it is thick timber. They are hanging away most of the time. I shot Egburts gun at one on the top of the hill. Don't know whether I hit him or not as the timber is so thick. I guess I shall take my gun out this afternoon.

I can't send this today and am in hopes I shall get a letter from you. I shall probably write more in the morning. You meant to have me write good long letters as I generly fill the sheet.

There is fighting every day. Maybe you would like to know how the Yankees build bridges and carry them with them. They have a frame 14 feet long (near that) and 6 or 8 feet wide, of small timber bolted together with iron, or they carry the bolts with them and put them together when they want them - then they have some canvass - the same the tents are made of. These are put over the bottom of and the sides of the frames and you have a boat that will carry 25 or 30 men. These are placed in the river faced up and down 5 or 10 feet apart and held by large ropes, then timber placed across and then plank, and then you have a bridge that will hold the heaviest loads. 4 or 6 men can carry a boat.

We crossed the Austanaula May 15th on such a bridge. They have two across there close together and the 14th some of our men crossed over in the boats by paddling them and back at night. When they are done with them in one place they take them out and take them apart, load them on to the wagons and then they can take them where they are a mind to. Some of the reb prisoners taken May 15th were pretty greatly surprised at such a bridge and said it was the first paper bridge they ever saw. It was a curiosity to me and most of us.

I guess you will get tired of reading this but I will stop my descriptions for something else. My dear, I love you still with all my heart and hope and pray that God still will bless you with health and received strength from him continually to bear the heavy burden it is your lot to bear. And also that the time will soon come that I may be with you and render you my poor assistance in smoothing the rough path of life, and bring up the dear precious little ones in the fear of the Lord. It is noon and I must get my dinner. Hard tack and coffee and sugar. Am out of meat, but will draw rations tonight. Good bye, dear, babies and all.

July 2 ed Dear ones, I did not get time to finish my letter yesterday and did not want to very bad as the mail left too early for me. We were relieved from the skirmish line between 3 to 4 PM. I went out after dinner and fired my gun 3 or 4 times at them as we saw them moving around on the side hill in the brush. We had no more hurt in our Co but the balls came very close. Co A had one wounded - the author of the poetical historical of the 7th - one book of which I sent to you from Prospect. We fell back nearly a mile to where we had been the 9th. III took our place about sundown.


A regiment of rebs hoisted a white flag and started towards the 9th and some of the boys fired on them and turned towards the 17th Corps on our left and gave themselves up. There was from 3 to 500 officers and all the rebs. Got a battery in position about that time on the right mountain and then if there was not artificial thunder and lightening, I am no judge. There was a continual roaring and flashing, almost equal to the heaviest thunder storm. We do not know how many cannon we have here, but there was lots of them opened to the right and left. The hill where Mr. rebs battery was more than covered with shells. They were sent to them so thick it looked like fire all around the place and they thought it best to quit. They did not fire but a few rounds before they dried up, but our guns threw shells all over the hill. There was considerable musketry. The flashing of the muskets looked like fire flies among the trees.

At some other time I will give you a sort of a description of the works that we are in. We change around considerable. We are in the first brigade, 2ed division, 15 Army Corps and the 2ed brigade is here, and we relieve each other. There is 3 brigades in a division and 6 divisions in a corps. From 3 to 6 regiments in a brigade. Ours has 4.

It is warm but there is some air moving. Today it is not as hot as it is sometimes. At the first streak of daylight there was a sound towards the right of the mountains that sounded like fire crackers on the 4th, the liveliest kind, but it was made by guns. It raised us up sudden, and our equipments went on quick and we were soon in line ready for them if they wanted anything of us, and the cannons opened their wide mouths. The musketry extended some ways in our frontage and right. We would like to had them drive in our skirmishers and we could settle them instanter, but it soon ceased and has been very quiet since. Now nearly 9 o clock.

We drew rations last night. Tack, bacon, coffee, a little soap, sugar and some mixed vegetables. It makes good soup when we get beef, which will be today or tomorrow. We crumb our hard tack in cold water, sometimes and soak it a little and after frying meat, we put it in with a little grease and water and cook it some time, and it does well for a change. There is various ways to fix them which I have not time to mention at this time.

Have no letters yet. Tell Em not to send Jud any more papers till he writes for her to. He told me to write long ago, but they keep coming. You have quite a lot now too. Tell the children that I love them and want them to be good children and love and keep ma and pray for pa. Accept my hearts love. Write often and as long as you can; give my respects to all that enquire. How is the weather, crops, stock, and everything else. Kisses for you all. Kiss round for me.

C. T. Ackley

The Sanitary Commission does a great deal of good. I would not wish to say anything to discourage it, if there is some scoundrels that impose upon them.
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

We are in the field but where I do not know, although I think between 10 and 15 miles of Atlanta. The 2nd we left our camp in front of the Kenesaw Mountains at 11 p.m., went about four miles and staid till morning. The 3rd we left very still, tied rags around the wheels of the artillery wagons, but the rebs left about the same time. We went to the right around the mountains and in the morn the stars and stripes floated proudly from their tops. Some of the 15th Corps had scaled their rough sides.

We started again at 8 a.m. and after some stops, marched 15 miles and camped for the night 10 or 12 miles south of the Kenesaw Mountains. At noon the fourth we started again, went two miles and stopped till four, not far from the fighting. The rebs were drove over the ground the day before. At four we started, went one mile, stopped in the woods by the side of a field and the bullets fell around us some. We went to work and before dark we had good breast works.

While we were doing this, our line of skirmishers were charging the rebs and took one line of their works, and other regiments were sent to support them and hold the works. Our cannons were behind us and to the right and left. They played with the rebs. They did not answer till ours had quit and it was dark. They opened one gun on us and fired in all directions with some of (??). Killed one man in the 7th, the Lieut Col's orderly. Hit him in the head. No others hurt.

In the morning there was no rebs in sight. Only prisoners. They are continuously bringing them in. they appear to like it mostly well. One oldish man in a squad of five, as they came in was asked how they were captured, said one of their men threw down his loaded gun and ran away. He took the gun, waited till our men came close to him, then stepped from his hiding place, threw down the loaded guns and knapsack without firing a gun. He said, ask one of the guards, as he captured him. He said it was so.

It is estimated that at this fight we captured from 3 to 5,000 prisoners, and Marietta was captured with 2 or 3,000 the third, and at Kenesaw Mountain there was a great many taken. We lost but few the fifth, as the rebs had left after burning some of their supplies.

We had orders to be ready to fall in at a moment's notice. Marched at 1 p.m. back five miles, then went towards our right where we had heavy canonading. Went four or five miles nearly south, and at 6 p.m. we had got opposite the firing, but it was miles off. We suppose we are going towards Atlanta, but don't know hardly. We have got them to going again and don't know where they may lead us. We think the firing that we hear is on the river, that one side or the other or both are trying to cross and crowd each other some as they are in somewhat of a hurry.

We expect to hear orders every minute to pack up. I don't know as I will get this paper filled or not. You will please to excuse me for not writing as often as I do sometimes, as I am busy and sometimes when I get my portfolio out before writing a word, the orders are given to fall in and then I have to pack instantly.


But I still love you with all my heart, and each letter conveys many thoughts of love to you and the dear little ones. You accept my love and thell the children Pa loves them, the dear precious ones. How I should like to see you all. Tell them to be good children, love each other and Ma and Pa, and pray for him and each other and for Ma. How do you all get along? Does the children get along? Is Nora a good girl and does she help Ma, and is she good to her broyhers and does she learn to read and does she pray? How does she like her shears? I heard those things had come.

I have sent Emmerson five cents in silver. Is Elburn a good white-headed little boy and does he learn to read and does he do any of Pa's chores or works? How does his oxen get along? Ask them what you shall write to Pa. Does he pray everyday, and is Emmerson a good and sweet little boy? Can he talk? Oh, if I could be there once in a while to see you all. I can't tell what I would give to see you and the children, but this rebellion must be crused or home will not be home to may of us. Can he say "Pa" yet? You must hug and kiss them a good lot and pretty hard for me, and tell them to do the same by you for Pa, too. It has been some time since I have got any letters and I fear the rebs have destroyed the mail, as we hear some guerillas have destroyed some of our cars. Write as often as you can and all the news.

Does Em hear from Judson? I don't. He told me he would write, but he don't and I don't know where he is. Maybe he is out of writing material. He could get some to write to me, and I have got eight letters for him and I guess he has some in some of them for there is one that the postage was 9 cents. Tell her not to send any paper, stamps, or envelopes, or anything but letters, till she knows where to send them, so that he can get them sometime. I carry all that comes for him and as quick as I get a chance he will get all but the newspapers. About two weeks ago one of our boys came from where he was, and he was getting better fast. He did not know the name of the place or whether he would stay there or not. They move them that are able to move, to make room for worse ones.

We hear it is very dry up there. How does the crops look? How do you get along with all your things? Babies, cows, calves, hogs, geese, hens, dog and trees, garden? Try to take it as easy as you can. Not work yourself to death. How does father and mother and G get along? Does Sam and G make the farming go first rate? How does M's folks get along. Russ and Egberts? Elder Inmans and all the rest? Tell Lou I look for a letter from him and I will write to him when I can but want him to write and not wait for me as I have no conveniences, little time and material.







Tell father not to stop writing and tell them all to be faithful and remember me in their prayers. Are you like to get anything done to the house? It looks here like the war would be wound up by winter and I hope and pray it may. The weather is very warm here and it is hot marching. We have heard some canonading this morning but it is quiet now.

At 7th Job Clark is the slowest fellow in the Co and his head is pretty thick. He bought watches and traded till he had lost 15 dollars. I and the rest of the boys tried to keep him out of it but he would not hear to us or to Sam. In 10 minutes after he has made a trade he don't know how he traded. If Clark's folks say anything about him tell them he will trade most of his wages in spite of all I can say, and they had better write to him not to trade here, as the boys will cheat him all they can. He thinks the boys are all honest. My love to you and prayers for you. Pray for me. Write often. Good bye from your affectionate husband.

C. T. Ackley

Don't pay Woolsey anything on that box as I paid $1.75 and the rest, only 1.25 at Prospect and A J Asper owes me some and we will settle it between us when we see each other. I write about the childrens learning to read but don't expect you have time to learn them. Love to you dear. C.T.A.


He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,
I sit me down to write to you. This date finds me well and pray that this short epistle will find you blessed the same way. The mail was kind enough to bring me three precious missives from the dear ones at home. I am glad to hear that you are well and very sorry that you have been so sick. All of the boys are well but Clay; he is grunting most of the time.

You want me to write what I do. The 9th and 10th I had to march pretty hard, and since then I have been. The 11th, worked on the works part of the day. Wrote some, read, and Indson, Egbert, and Lab was on guard and I cooked their meals. There was not much to cook, but we had enough to eat. We crumbed the [? Word not decipherable] and all in cold water. After they get soft, we put them in where we fry mat and put in some water and let them cook. We had beef soup twice yesterday and steak once and steak for breakfast and will have beans for dinner. Have them over the fire. We cook out meat, beans, crackers, and everything but coffee in a sheet iron pan [the] shape of a 2 quart pan, but it holds 4 quarts. The camp kettles are all sheet iron. We have a bail on ours. We have little cans to cook coffee. Some have coffee pots; ours are quart cans.

Now one of my day=s work (July 12th): cooked breakfast, got the things out of the way, finished a letter, then got dinner. Then Egbert and I went after apples. Went about 2 miles. Found a few blackberries. It was 4:00 when we got back. Peeled some apples and cooked one of our cans full, then got supper and it was night. The 13th after breakfast I went to the sutlers. Ran in debt $5.00. Took it in tobacco. You see, I use tobacco pretty freely, for it was gone before noon, and I did not chew or smoke any of it, but there is no other sutler here and the other regiments can get no tobacco. They will not allow our sutler to sell it to other regiments, and I took what I got and Egbert let me have three dollars worth. I went to the other regiments and sold it. When I started with that you sent me, I had about 1 dollar, and when it was gone, I had 10 dollars of my own but owed the sutler 5 but need not pay it till I draw pay. I shall send you 1 dollar as it is a N. York bill and won=t go here. Will send you more if I can get it changed. If I can=t this letter, will the next. Use the New York money as soon as you can. It is good but won=t go here. It was sent to a man from Wisconsin [whom] I gave 5 worth of tobacco for it.

In the afternoon [of the] 13th, we built us a bough house to shade us. The timber is mostly cut near us so that we can see the Rebs a little way off. We have a picket line out in front and the cavalry are scouting all the time. They see the Rebs 4 or 5 miles off once in awhile. We don=t hear fighting here any yet, but the pickets heard heavy cannonading on our right. The whole army is not as idle as we are. They are building a bridge across the river. They] have it most done. Built it all since we came here. Don=t know how long we will stay. We had orders to be ready for inspection at 8:00, but this morn[ing] they told us to be ready at 7:00. We had to fly around to get breakfast [and] brush up our guns. We are all writing, and one has to run pretty often to tend to the beans. The CO drawed whisky. We drew ours to keep it from someone else. I guess we will wash in some. It will be good for pimples caused by the heat.


About the post office. I don't know what to say. It will confine you just as close and be a hard place for the children, but it would not be like doing chores on the prairie in the deep snow, and if anything is the matter, you will have neighbors. Joe said it did not pay much when he had it. He says it will pay 6 or 8 dollars per month. If you could get Johnson=s house, so to have the office where it is or some other house that is handy, if you think best. Try it in the winter and if you don=t like it, give it up in the spring. If you could get a house with two rooms, you could keep it in it. Asher=s house would do. You could keep the office in the house. I don=t know what to tell you. If I was there, I could tell you better. If you go there, you had better get a girl to board to go to school in the winter. Do as you think better. I can=t say, but I almost think it would be best to go there if you could get the office and a house. The office will more than pay house rent. You may have to work hard, but it will not be running out, lifting, and all manner of hard work. I don[t know as Joe is trying to get office or Aaron either. If they was, they would not have much chance, although Aaron is in the Sanitary Commission. He was sick and they sent [an] order for some one that was not able to march and do all kinds of duty and they took him. Don=t know how long he will stay there.

My place I expect to keep till the campaign is over, and I hope it will not be over till this war is over, but don=t know. I have to march by the side of the colors and when in the very face of the enemy where there is danger. I have to sleep what I do sleep near them in the center of the regiment. Our company is behind. We are on the left when in camp. Then I can stay where I am a mind not to answer to roll call or anything else needed.

About the copperhead actions of the supervisors: All agree to one thing that is that they never passed a law without something of Diabolical meaness in it to show that some of them are not entitled to the respect of heathens or border ruffians. The soldiers from other counties say that they always knew Floyd County had some of the meanest men in it and some of them were in office most of the time. Joe was on picket when the letters came. [I] have not heard him say much. Sours talks a great deal. He says the soldiers may get home sometime, then copperheads or other reptiles can=t abuse, impose on, or insult their families with impunity.
They will hear from me when I get time from some other quarter. Vengeance is mine Saith the Lord, but he chooses his own tools. Who knows but the ones that are used upon the rebellion may be used upon the oppressors of the widow and the fatherless.

My love to you and the little ones. It is almost mail time. I love you all. Kiss around for me. Write as often as you can. Pray for your unworthy and affectionate husband

CT Ackley

[Note: In between lines where it didn=t seem to fit the context, C.T. wrote ADon=t tell anyone that I sent money.@]





He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

Although I wrote a letter yesterday I will try to write a little today. I had but a little time then on the account of the inspection. I can't send this today and I don't expect to finish it till tomorrow.
It rained here last night at dark. The thunder was very heavy. The lightening struck in several places. Several men were killed in this vicinity. I don't know how many. I don't think none in our brigade. They have the bridge so that they cross the river on it with teams. We are in the same position we have been since we have been here. We have been busy fixing up a bunk and our shade. Last night Jud wrote a letter to father and also one to Lane. He got one from her the other day. I wrote some in both letters. I did not answer much of your letters.

The order for Sam not to associate with the men was when we were at Prospect and came from Pulaski from Brigadeer General Sweeney. The order was read to the whole regiment and it said no commissioned officer must associate with the men any farther than their official duty made it necessary. It did not make any difference with Sam. I had a paper that I borrowed that morning and after the orders was read I told him that I did not know how he would get it as I should not fetch it home and he dare not come after it. He said he wanted the paper but did not know how to get it. He said if they court martial him for associating with his men they would have to commence that night. It did not make that much difference with the most of the officers of the 7th. Reiniger is still the captain of the company, although he is left at Prospect, but S acts as Captain. The boys mostly like him first rate, but I guess he will go home. The officers last fall agreed to leave when their three years was out, if the boys wanted them to and some of them want office. If he goes, the captain will be H.I. Smith of Cerro Gordo. He is a good fellow for the office. He has been orderly Sergeant a long time and Second Lieutenant since they got back from home last winter.

A few of the vets that want office and can't make much show, got up a paper to get Sam to go when his time is out. They said the recruits ought not to have anything to say, but all of the vets did not side with them. We got hold of what they were at and got up a paper and beat them for signers and had quite a number of the old boys to sign it. They had to give in and it made them squirm, but I guess Sam will go home. He says he don't want to stay and have some unsatisfied, but there will be some that will not be satisfied any way. The officers' time is out the last of this month.

You must not lift too much. You know it always hurt you. I expect you are anxious to get letters yet they may not be filled with interesting matter. I know how I look for them and how quick I find their contents and how much good it does me. I should be glad to have the likenesses of my dear family, but I don't want them to use money that they need to make them comfortable. To obtain it would be a valuable treasure, yet don't sacrifice too much to gratify me in that respect. Your images are all engraven on my heart, and time, place, or change cannot erase them as long as life lasts. Whether absent or present, my mind is continually on you and I hope and pray that God will help on the work, so that I, with the rest, may return to our homes and families. Those shears were given to me at Davenport by a man from Floyd in the 9th Cavalry, and I bought a portfolio and housewife all together with needles, thread, buttons, pins, and a nice pair of scissors, and they were more handy as the point were sharp. I gave $1.50 for the lot and 6 sheets of paper, 6 envelopes, a lead pencil coarse and fine comb. I have lost that pin ball, but have a good place to carry pins.


You are in the hog business. You will fat them both. It ought to be a good one. If you kill it you can get one in the fall to winter. Do you make lots of butter? You can, if I don't get home, let the heifers to father or Martin, can't you, and if you go to town you will have to let Maggy go too. Does Grandpa and Martin take much notice of Emerson or the rest of the children? I hope I may get home before they get so large they will forget me or not care as much about me as they did. I would like to help them dress a few times I guess. Tell them pa loves them very much and wants them to be good all the time and pray for Pa and Ma and each other. Tell Nora to help Ma all she can. Tell Elburn to be good, learn to read and work now Pa is not there to do any of his work and to be a good Union boy. Tell Emmerson Pa would like to get hold of him. I guess he would not run for Gapa or Martin for at least one minute. They still gather flowers do they? Tell them Pa has got a tin cup he drinks coffee and water and eats soup with it. N is good if she takes care of her little brother when Ma is doing chores.

What does he give for butter? If you have not paid Woolsey, you must not pay him as I paid $1.75 on the box and the rest $1.26 at Prospect and AJA owes me some and I will settle with him. We did not get any receipt for the box. There was not express office there and the box was left with the telegrapher operator. I was on picket or I should have left it. Capt Reiniger as the other boys did and theirs was all right but (private--some folks can do business better than other folks as they are so smart and you know you lost a firkin of butter once on a time-mim)

It will save you a great deal of trapping, if you do get the office, beside wading the river. If the most of the folks want you to take it, it will be better for you. You would have to get Johnson to show you to manage everything. Them Supervisors would be pleased to hear all that is said in their behalf. Jeff Davis is held in as much respect by the soldiers as they are, as he is open in his treacherous actions. You may tell them so.

If you get a chance ask Gabe which is the most needy - a woman with three children who received 67 dollars and had to pay debts with it and buy wood and not parent or brothers to do anything, or one that got 75 and had not debts to pay or wood to buy and a rich father to live on as much as they are a mind to and almost as much farm as you. Tell him I have, with some others, long given up all hopes of justice from the Supervisors, but we did expect something near it from him. Tell him to come and see your clothes and the children's, and say if some others that were returned needy are very much worse than you. Now you must tell or read this to G. L. Secor for me. Do not fail to do it the first chance. Supper time. Good bye

16th Prescott done well about that land. Will our folks take it? They can pay some in the fall. Have they got a new reaper? What kind, and how much did they pay? They will be a harvesting by the time you get this. The three letters that I got last were mailed June 11th and 20th. I did not need that money that you sent, but feel thankful to you for your kindness towards me, as much as though I did need it. I return the compliment by sending you some in my last two dollars. Use the N Y money as quick as you can. I will send you two more in this. You need not tell anyone that I send you any money as I have not got my pay and may not till fall.

You may, if you can, send me stamps, as we can't get them here. Send some in every letter. Jud has a few yet and I have borrowed nine of him. Did Mary know that I was in the army? Write my directions and tell Jim, Mary, or Lucy to write me. Mother said Sarah lived in New Lisbon. You ask if I ever wish myself at home. You better believe I have 1,000 times, although under the present circumstances I can't wish to leave the cause of our country, but my hopes and prayers are that this cruel war will soon be over, come to a just end that I may return home in peace.


I have said when tired and hungry I would give $1.00 dollars if when we came into camp I could sit down to our own table to a good warm meal with my family and then have the old bed to tumble into. We have enough to eat, but of course it is not as good as we had at home, or got up in as nice order, but it is enough and hearty food. I wish you had the extra coffee we have. Jud, Egbert, and myself have as much as two pounds extra on hand. I guess we can let some of the officers have it. I would like to help eat those peas. There is blackberries, but there is so many here to get them that it is hard to get any now without going too far and there is some rebs. (but that way ?)

If Emmerson had a whip he could drive Duchy, could he not. I have no doubt but you can hear more news to town than you could at Grants Headquarters. We can hear more in camp than we can by reading all the papers and visiting all the headquarters of the army and it amounts to about as much as the Marble Rock news. We put no dependence in anything that is not official.

We will not get discouraged by all the Supervisors can do. Jeff himself don't discourage us by all that he can do, and you need not think as small minions as some of the Supervisors of Floyd county will discourage true patriots. When this is all over, they can hole with all reptiles.

The old bed stead can stand it when I am not there, can't it? When I get pay you must buy you some bedsteads. These sheets are pretty large. It takes me some time to fill one. I am well and hearty. I want you to correct all of my mistakes that you can. I noticed the exept as soon as I read. When I see that man that sent the goods, I will try and see if something can't be done. I saw him at Big Shanty, but did not know then but the goods were left with Capt. He is along the railroad with the army as telegraph operator, but we are 12 miles from the railroad.

Do not work too hard, my dear. What little I do write I intend shall be reliable, if it is little and simple. Emerson will soon be a little trot foot. Keep Fido tied up most of the time if he will not stay without. Is Johnson good natured bout your having the office? When Joe had the office it did not pay $25 a year. They don't give anymore - there is always enough that will take it. They pay a certain percentage.

Mark Millers house would not do. Would McNabb do? Just as you think best. It will not be a very good place for the children that is the worst about it. I got the paper and envelopes in two or three weeks. If you can get a package of envelopes and a quire of paper you can send it. It will not cost over two or three cents, done up in the way you done up the ones you did send. How are the crops now? Egbert and some of the boys have got a pass to go after berries and apples. It is very warm here. I drew a new blouse a few days ago, but I left Joe have it and he let me have a pretty good dress coat and will draw me another blouse by and by. The boys are in fine spirits. Troops are coming in every day. I think we will not stay here very long.

Tell Lewis to write to me and tell Sarah and her honey to write. Tell him if we are not acquainted we can get acquainted. Ask if he is related to Charles Brownell and Robert Brownell. Dear, write as often as you can. If you can't send them often, make them long. Kiss the little ones for me and tell them Pa loves them and would like to do some tall kissing, but Ma will have to do it for me a spell and they must kiss Ma for me. Tell them to be good and learn to pray for Pa and Ma and themselves. My dear, I love you with all my heart and pray that heavens richest blessings may rest and follow you continually. Pray for me and write all the news and what about the Post Office. I want to write to Lou if I can. Good bye and may God bless you. From your unworthy husband.

C. T. Ackley

Co B 7th Iowa Inft. via Chattanooga Georgia
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife

I have a few minutes. I will try to write you a few lines. I and the rest of the boys are well. We have been in a big fight. I have but half of an hour to write, and you must excuse the shortness and dryness of it. At the first chance I will be more particular.

We left Roswell Sunday and have been marching and building works and fighting every since. Mostly night and day we came south east. East from there 21 miles to Decatur on a railroad 6 or 7 miles of Atlanta east. We laid there one night, then marched half way to Atlanta, built breastworks, then advanced one mile, built more the next morning.

Yesterday we left at 8 marched 2 1/2 miles, got here just in time to meet the rebs who were trying to get on our flank and capture our supply train and, but for our timely arrival, they would have accomplished it, but we put a stop to it. They did not get a wagon.

We had no works and took position in an open field with woods on three sides and the rebs were on those three sides. They made a bold and stubborn attack and got nicely whipped and lost five to seven hundred prisoners and a large number killed and wounded. This regiment lost no killed and six wounded and one this morning, three yesterday in Co B and one this morning. None that you knew.

I can't feel too thankful to God for preserving me unhurt. It was very hot and we were very much fatigued, and we had no time to eat much till near night, and then we had to build works as we had drove the rebs from the field and held it and we did not want them to come unto us without works to support us. We have good works, but don't expect to fight behind them as it has not been our luck to fight behind our works, but it has been to build them. There was fighting the whole length of our lines. The rebs charged all along and were handsomely whipped and lost very heavy in killed, wounded and prisoners.

We have looked all day long for them to try it somewhere but I guess they will not pitch in here again. We have not got Atlanta but are less than two miles. We are four miles from Atlanta, and it is thought they will get in there today. I can hear cannonading that way. We have been hearing of it since Sunday. It is very heavy the most of the time. It is middling quiet in our front. Company B is on the skirmish line one mile in front of our works.

I have just been there to take them their mail. Egbert and Job are the only ones that got any letters. It has been some time since we got any letters. They hold back a long time and then come in a pile. I have had no chance to write since we started from Roswell. You must forgive me for not writing, as when we have not been at work we were under orders to be ready to move at a moment's warning. Sometime we get our knap sacks open and portfolio out and orders come to fall in. Then we have to fly round. We don't know one minute what we will do the next and can't make a good guess.

I am well. I feel to thank God with all my heart for protecting me and pray that he may protect you and the little ones and give you good health. Write as often as you can, my dear. I get your letters after awhile. They are precious to me yet I have to burn them as I can't carry them. I keep a lot on hand all the times.


Tell the little ones that Pa loves them all. Kiss them all around for me and reserve the most love to yourself and write as often as you can and how do you get along and write all the particulars about children, crops and everything else.

We got a receipt from the express company of the pay for our box, and Egbert sent it to Woolsey. You will not have to pay, but they will owe me on it. Write when you get that money that I sent. I sent some in two letters, two dollars in each one. You will excuse the shortness of this as the mail will not wait.
We lost some considerably. Among the killed is General James B. McPherson, one of the best officers in the U S. Army. His loss will be deeply felt throughout the whole country, but we still have good men in the field and the rebellion is bound to give under. The rebs lost more than one general and colonels. It is reported that General Hardee is killed. He was in command of the reb army here. I guess he is killed or a prisoner. The rebs lost over 3,000 prisoners yesterday, and killed and wounded is four or five times as large as ours.

My respect to all that may enquire. My love to you and the children. Write soon as you can. Pray for your affectionate but unworthy husband.







C. T. Ackley

to Mrs. C. T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

As I think I have a little time this morning I will try to pen you a few lines, as my letter of yesterday was short and it was dated the 24th when it was written the 23nd.

We left the Chattahoochie river near Roswell the 17th at noon. We had orders the night before to be ready at 6:00 in the morning. We were ready at 6 but as there were other troops to move ahead of us we could not go till noon. We went southeast six miles, and camped for the night. Left on the 18th at 6:00 in the morn. Went eight miles and camped. At 2:00 p.m. we heard cannonading on our right and slight skirmishing in front.

This regiment, all but the seven color guards and the color bearers and a part of A company, were thrown out on picket, but saw no enemy. But blackberries were very thick and we all had a chance to get all we wanted, and the 18th I captured a hen and here I cleaned it and cooked it and had all the chicken I wanted as the boys were 12 mile off on picket. But they killed a two year old heifer and we drew beef so that we had good fare. The 17th as we were camping three sheep came along and were soon captured. Egburt, myself, and one other caught one; it was about a yearling. We had one hind quarter. We cut the meat mostly off the bone and fried it for supper and put the bones on and boiled them for breakfast and second got a few potatoes and we put them in and stewed it down and had some apples stewed, so we had a good breakfast. After we caught the lamb we saw a woman coming and thought if she said anything, we would let it go but she passed without saying a word and Company B had another sheep at the same time, and Lieut Smith came up and told us to hurry up and dress it as she might go to the Colonel and he might interfere and we had it dressed and cooking before the animal heat was out, but the Col did not trouble us.

A woman went to General Dodge and told him that they were killing all her sheep, hogs, and chicken. He said "Madam I can't stop the boys. They will take such things." He asked her where her husband was. She said, "In the southern army" and two of her sons. He asked her how they came there if they were Union. She said they were forced in. He asked her how long they had been in. She said ever since the war commenced. He told her not to tell the soldiers of it, as they might possibly not leave her a house or anything else. He then asked her if he could have his headquarters for the night. She told him welcome and he could have anything she had that he wanted.

At 9 o clock the 19th we started again and after marching seven miles and halting a great many times, we came to the town of Decatur, the railroad six or seven miles east of Atlanta. We passed the town about half mile and camped on the ground where the rebs had winter quarters last winter. We did not meet with much resistance as it was a flank movement. The rebs were not looking, for the town was not fortified, but the depot was destroyed. There was a lot of tin ware and other stores. The 20th we left at noon and went towards Atlanta 2 1/2 or three miles and worked most all night on breastworks. There was skirmishing in our front but the rebs were falling back. At 2 o clock p.m. the 21st we left and went forward one mile and it rained hard, but our rubbers kept us pretty dry. Here built new works most of the time. Since we came to Decatur there has been heavy cannonading either to the right or left, with occasionally sharp musketry. Here we were not over two miles from Atlanta. By climbing trees in some places the city could be seen.


At 8:00 in the morn of 22d we again resumed our march, this time was nearly south flank again. Arrived where we now are by marching, whipping, and preventing the loss of a large train of wagons, and also the flanking of a portion of our army. The prisoners all agree in saying they were after our supplies, that they thought there was only Blair's troops - that is part of the 17th Corps here with a long train of supplies, and they could easily drive him, capture the train, but they run against a snag. Lost heavily in killed, wounded, and prisoners, and accomplished nothing. Was as much as 5,000 captured and a large number of wounded were taken by them as they were mostly in the woods.

24th the ball was opened in one right with cannonading and some musketry along the skirmish line. I must stop and help clear ship. Will finish this as soon as possible. [Ed's. note: Ruth, who typed this, reported that this was very difficult to read, and so the transcription may not be entirely accurate.]

July 25th All right and well. We had no engagements here yesterday but there was considerable cannonading to the right of us towards Atlanta and some musketry, but don't know what was accomplished, but fighting Joe is there and he is never still and seldom repulsed, if he ever is. He does not give it up, but keeps at work till he accomplishes his ends. General Logan takes McPherson's place. General Stoneman with his cavalry has been around south of Atlanta and destroyed the railroad and destroyed a lot of supplies and captured 4 or 5,000 negroes with shovels, picks, axes, and (e?) for building works, which will be quite reinforcements too from the rebs and we hold the railroad here so that their railroad communications is badly deranged. We are four miles south of east of Atlanta.

Yesterday we packed up about 11 AM and moved about eight rods back and went to building works. Worked hard till dark and most of our regiment had very strong works. Some other regiments that did (not?) get here as quick as we did have to work this morn. We have the best works that we have built. They are calculated to be proof against any missiles the rebs can throw against it and we have batteries every little ways. We are on a rise of ground. 40 rods front is a small creek then it is up hill. The other there is some brush between us and the creek but they are cut down.

The rebs can't pleasure us but one way better than to pitch in to us here - that is to lay down their arms and surrender, but we don't expect they will do either at present. They will have to do one or the other or leave this part of the country. Old Joe's big war dogs are barking very savagely. They were some noisy all night and more so this morn.

You may want to know more about the fight on the 22nd. The land is rough, some like that towards Elder Inmans. We came down one of the ravines. It was mostly cleared, but some brush. There was one or two regiments ahead of us, and as the skirmishing became warm in front, we had down behind some bushes and rails piked up. We were in a road and a battery was next to us on our right. They loaded their cannon as quick as a man can a musket, and soon the air was full of smoke. About 3/4 of a mile from us was another hill. There was more of our troops and we could see no enemy in our front, so we could over there and see them. (??)

The rebs came out of the woods to charge them. We saw them going towards our men in a good line. Our men were over the hill so that they could not see each other till very close together, and they were coming up another ravine between us and that other force. Just then the Captain of our battery rode up to Lieut Colonel Parrot and said "Colonel, they are coming around in the brush to get my battery." The Colonel said, "Alright, the 7th Iowa is here to tend to them. Come if they want to." Then General Dodge rode up and said, "Boys hold this road! Don't give them an inch, if they come on to you." The Colonel told him not to fear as his men were all right.

There was not much doing in front of us, but it was hot to the right. We were ordered to right face, march, double quick about 20 rods, then laid down flat in an orchard. We had two men in Company B wounded in the road and one here, in about ten minutes. We were ordered ahead on double quick to the support of the 66th Indiana, which the rebs were charging across the ravine, like that beyond Hank's field. There was woods on the other side about 40 rods off. When we got up to where the 66th was, the rebs were just getting back into the woods. We gave them one or two rounds and then the white rags blew up in the edge of the woods.

Then the orders were cease firing, and then we hallood to them to come in as they would not be hurt. Then they began to come in thick and the dead and wounded covered the ground in the ravine and the side hill to the edge of the woods.

The 66th lost three or four killed and 15 wounded. We had no killed and six wounded. I don't know our loss or the rebs either, but the rebs lost 15 to our one the whole length of the lines. This division buried 400 rebs and captured 1,000 prisoners. There was about 5,000 captured on that day and a large number each day since.
Crumb and a Dutchman, while on the skirmishing line, the two came unexpectedly upon two rebs eating and they surrendered and they brought them in. Crumb went a little farther ahead and came close to quite a squad of rebs, but the brush were so thick they did not see him and they heard our men all round in the woods and they got up and dusted, and Crumb done the same. A reb jumped up within 20 feet of one of our men and shot him through the foot and then left and our man had just discharged his gun at another one and so the one that hit him got off sound.

Now my dear, I love you with all my heart and pray that God will bless you with health and strength to bear the heavy burdens of your lonely life, and that he will help the right in using up this rebellion so that you may have me to bear a small portion of your burdens and help to support and train up the little ones. Tell them Pa is well and loves them and send them lots of kisses which you have to distribute to them as you may think best. Tell them Pa wants them to be good children and help Ma all they can and be kind to each other and pray for me and Ma and themselves.

Have they got the little books that I sent them in letters? Nora a little hymn book. I sent you a little money in two letters. Did you get two dollars in each one? Send me a quire of papers and a bunch of envelopes, not quite as large paper as this. It is not as handy to carry. Get buff envelopes if you can. Send them in one package and it will cost only two cents postage and send a stamp or two in each letter if you can get them. I will hope it won't end till it ends the war. Tell them you are a soldier's wife and can live and support his children on no pay, so the Ch Supervisors say.

C. T. Ackley

What are you doing bout the Post Office? Do you think you will take it? Can you get a house? How do you get along? Write all the particulars. How is crops? They are harvesting now I expect. Today is my birthday...31. I have got a pair of reb gloves, woolen, and a man that lives in Chickasaw says he will carry them to Elder Babbcock's and they can send them to you. He is going home soon. I found them in this battle field. They will do you some good if you get them. Pray for your affectionate husband.

C. T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

Just received welcome visitors: three letters from you. Am glad to hear from you and that you are well. I am thankful to the kind Parent above that he still remembers us in mercy and giving us good health, as I am enjoying the same. You say I must know that you have other duties but writing. I do know it. I did not think that you did not write, but there is something wrong with the post office somewhere, as we get no letters for a week or two, then we get a lot together. I got three just now from Alonzo. Yours are mailed June 28, July 9 and 12.

Don't know as I can get this done today but will try. Must stop to get dinner. Tough beef, pork, hard tack and coffee.

All the boys got letters from Marble Rock. It is the only place that the mail does not come regular. I don't know the reason. The 27th at one in the morning we left where we was when I wrote the last. 29th. I did not get time to finish last night. By the time dinner was over there was heavy fighting on the right. It commenced at 11:30 and continued till 3:30. The rebs made several charges and were repulsed each time. They drove the 15 Corp back and the 2d brigade of our 16th division went to their help and drove them back so they stayed, and Blair with the 17th Corps made a charge and, it is reported, captured the railroad and held. Don't know as it is so, but know the rebs were repulsed every time. They threw shells all around the 7th, but a kind and powerful hand protected them as none were hurt. The most of the shells did not burst. We should be thankful to God for this protecting and preserving us, and I do for one feel to thank him with my whole heart.
The day I wrote my last letter we were ordered to be ready to march at a moment's notice but did not move till one the next morning. The 27th we marched very hard till daylight then halted for breakfast and waited for Companies B & K who were left on the skirmish line till daylight. They came up and we started at 10 and marched till 3 and then in a very heavy shower of rain we formed a line of battle and as the rain stopped we were ready to move. We were ordered to leave all but our arms and Haversack and canteen.

We were to move in the shape of a charge behind the skirmish line to take possession of a hill one mile in front. We advanced through that thick wet brush and timber but the rebs fell back before our skirmishers so that we did not see any of them and we took possession of the hill and the pioneers built a strong fort. They worked all night and there was six pieces of cannon in there by morning and they took two more in the next day.

We of the 7th did not have to build any works as we lay behind the fort but they were building breast works into the right of us. On the 27th we were nearly east of Atlanta. Now we are on the opposite side. Then we were on the left of this army and now we are nearly on the right. We have to go from one flank to the other quite often you see. While they were fighting on the right yesterday, on the left, Hooker was going in strong. The 14th Corps is on our left commanded by General Palmer. Next the 20th Corps by Hooker. Then on the extreme left the 23rd Corps General Schofield, supported by Cavalry on our right. (This) Is the 4th Corps, General Howard's Corps. Howard is in the place of McPherson. Then 15th General Logan. Next the 17th Corps General Blair. Ours the 16th General Dodge.


General Sweeney on the 26th refused to obey the orders of General Dodge and was placed under arrest. He is an old soldier and lost his right arm in the Mexican War but was very overbearing and was disliked by the whole command. General Sweeney (got put in his?) place.

The fighting the 21st and 22nd and 23rd the rebels lost 22,000. Our loss 5,000. Quite a difference, but where our Corps was engaged there was more difference. Captain Reinniger came to the regiment last night with a lot of other men that have been left behind. They took the wrong road after crossing river and came very near getting in a trap as they went towards the rebel lines and as they were passing a house a woman came out and said "For God's sake boys, don't go any farther for there is a rebel picket post a little ways ahead!" so they 'bout faced pretty quick and limbered to the rear lively and thus saved their bacon.
I have not heard the result but the rebs lost very heavy. There was prisoners taken and some of them were drunk. They said their officers were mostly drunk. It is more quiet today but there has been heavy booming on the left in the morning and occasionally all night and night before last and last night there was fire burning in Atlanta. We can see the edge of the city from the hill where the fort is. I am sitting under a tree on a cracker box in front of the fort, but on lower ground. We are on a ridge and have a ditch and breast works to get into if needed. I can see some of our skirmishers about 100 rods in front of us and they are popping away the most of the time. Half of our regiment went on the skirmishing line at dark and the left wing went out at 10 this morn to relieve them so Co B are out in the woods popping away at the rebs but don't know whether they can see any of them or not, but they make some noise to scare them (even) if they don't hurt them.

The 27th one of our boys saw a citizen of Atlanta. He said the best houses in the city were being torn to pieces by an occasional shot or shell that the yanks send over there, I suppose to keep them awake, and I guess it is thought the rebs are leaving here. If so we will have to travel.
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife,
As I did not get time to finish my letter yesterday, nor did the mail leave either, I will try to write a few lines today. Don=t know as I will have time to write much or when it will go. If it had gone yesterday, I should have sent what I did write. So if disjointed or disconnected letters do come, you will know that I have not time to write as I would like to. But everything is just so here. We don=t always have time to eat. We are always on this campaign supposed to be ready at a moment=s notice. Yesterday, [for example], as I was writing, orders came to have everything packed to fall in at a moment=s notice, so you will see we are not at liberty to do as we please much of the time. This morning while at breakfast, we were ordered to be ready to move at 8:00, but it is past that hour and they are at work strengthening the works, but we will not stay here long.

Governor Stone of Iowa was here yesterday and made a few appropriate remarks in which he said he came here to look to the welfare of the sick and wounded soldiers of Iowa, and he said as far as possible they should be sent to their homes. That is good. He was accompanied by a Dr. of Iowa, and they visit all the camps and hospitals where there are Iowa men. He praised us a considerable and said if we kept all right here, things would be all right at home. He did not know all of the Supervisors.

There is some cannonading. The Rebs threw some heavy shells near us this morning, but done no injury as I have heard. One that struck about 20 rods off did not burst. The boys went and got it; it was nearly 18 inches long and 6 around, though flat on one end and peaked at the other, something like a top. It weighed 84 pounds cast iron, almost an inch thick, and was filled with small balls or pieces of iron and powder. And when they burst, then balls fly all around.

What about the post office? Try not to work too hard. Let some things go undone. Russ has been to make you a visit at least. Tell him it is all right. I am glad there always is girls as well as boys. You never, as I can remember, gave me reason to think you did not love me very much. I know you do, as I love you also with all my heart. I feel thankful that you send me money, but before you get this, you will get others that will tell you that I do not need it and [am] returning the compliment by returning it to you with interest. Write how many letters you get with money in them and how much. I guess I will send you a dollar and a half in this one, and I will have 5.50 left, but think will send you some of that another time. You need not tell anyone that I send you any, but you can tell them that I have got no pay, and the Supergougers may give you some notice. Tell them C. Gates said he would break and wait for pay till we raised a crop on the land. And which is better, to give to those that lay it out for fine clothes, or for something substantial? They must be saving of the county funds or they cannot get their pay for meeting so often and doing nothing. The poor fellows must be supported some way as some of them are too lazy to work, and the funds would look better paid to such than to women and children of men who have gone to peril their lives for the men that stay at [home] to devour the widows and fatherless. I wish Darland and Gleason and some others could hear all that we all write for their benefit. Tell as many folks as you can and trust in God for all things and your wants will all be supplied. You need not send any more money, but you may send stamps. I found 10 in one and one in another and also paper and envelopes.


You will try to get the plastering done if you can. If you can=t get anything done on the room, get you a table by all means if you can and bedstead when you get money enough to spare. There is no letter cross enough to write. [I] get along, yet there is due me now 6 months= pay and 8 dollars bounty. At first I got 60 bounty, 1 month=s pay, and 2 dollars premium. Then the law is 40 after two months= service. Then first pay day after 6 months= service, 40 dollars. After that 40 every 6 months. So you see, you are a little mistaken, but I don=t know how long it will be before I get any pay or how much I shall get when we do get some pay. Maybe only 2 months pay the first time. But will get some when we get so there is a chance to take care of it.

The governor said we would have a rest when we get to Atlanta, and that won=t be very long, I think. I want you to use what you want when you can get it and get yourself good comfortable clothes for winter B and the dear little ones, too. If the boys could have some things that are thrown away, they could be dressed nice and warm. That is out of the question, [though]. Tell Rosenkrans not to let everyone have the wagon. He ought to pay 25 cents or more a day. He has large pay for what he has. If you can=t keep Fido, tie him all the time. If he is gone, you can=t keep him very well. Have heard that dogs have been killing sheep there.
I would like to spank Emmerson as he lays on the floor. It would do me some good [even] if it did not do Ma=s boy any. Write to Sarah to send her man=s likeness, to send a photograph, and you can send me one. Tell her I want one. I have known some by that name, maybe have seen him. John=s folks have done well on a big boy.

I know money goes off fast, but I want you to be as comfortable as you can if there is any to spare. I thought timber would be a good investment.

Kiss all the kids around for me. I love you with all my heart. Good bye. Continue to pray for your

Affectionate husband,
C.T. Ackley

That about the tape was captured. It was a long time before I could think what you meant by the present I sent, too, but I guess it was a ring, wasn=t it? I did not buy it or anything like it. I found it. The tape I got out of a house where we had the fight May 15. Write soon and all you can good. Much love to you and the dear little ones. Kiss them all for Pa and tell them to be good and pray. My respects to all who inquire good by dear

C.T. Ackley



He wrote the following letter²¹ My dear, I find that the mail goes out at 11 and I thought I would write a few more lines. I am well and I pray that these lines will find you enjoying the same blessings. It is Sunday, but in the Army there is not much difference.

We moved back about 20 rods on a line and with the fort built breast works in front of our regiment, but we got them done by dark but they are cutting the timber in front. I don't expect to fight behind them. I guess the rebs will not attempt to charge them, but they will be good to get behind if they happen to shell us. Some of their big shell come around once in awhile but have not injured us yet.

We have no guns in positions yet of equal range with the one they are using, and as it has took some time to get a bridge over the river that would carry them safe over, but there is some near here, and it will not be many days before they will find their match. Then if they don't leave here the guns come up that took 8 yoke of oxen to draw one, and we had lots of 10, 12, and 32 pounders before, 200 or 300 of them, and now we have some kings.

Does the little one in the rocking chair know whose likeness he is looking at? I would love to look at him and the other precious ones. If it was not for the laws I don't know what we would do. I know it costs to live. It cost some high here, but I have not spent much. Five to the Sutters, but got that back with usury when I got in Tennessee. I had five and some of the boys owes me two or three, but I have used all I wanted except for writing material and that was not always to be had for love or money. I am pleased to get long letters. Write as much as you can.

Tell Nora Pa's glad to hear that she loves him and is getting so big and smart and hopes she is a good girl. I can read all you write...only one word...that whose mill roof has blown off. Can you read all of that fine stuff? I thought I would be more saving of the paper, but it is more plentiful now, thanks to you for it. I can read it all that you send but that one word...I called it Grahams. Write what it was.

If I don't sign "unworthy" it does not make me more worthy. Keep your money and get your table. I have received 1.50 from you and I have sent you 4. Would send you 2 in this if I had the change but will 1.50. Can Nora sing from her book? E has got his by this time. Has Emmerson got his 1/2 dime that I sent? The receipt for the pay for sending that box has gone to Woolsey. A.P.A. can't have too much chance to gouge, as he is under a boss, and all he has to do is when an order comes to Collins from the hospital, he tells Dock to hand out what is on the bill, and Collins keeps the account himself.

Since I wrote about the Sanitary Commission and did not know as much as I do now. Jud and a number of others that has been in the hospital say they would be a great deal worse if it were not for the Sanitary Stores. Although their may be some gouging it is a great benefit.

I shall be glad when the time comes when the little ones wake in the morning they can see their pa. When you went to Pelts you went as long without eating as we do sometimes. You did not hurt the man you hugged did you or he you? You have beat me on that score. Gleason will have to try to have a few extra meetings of the board, so as to get his pay to help him now. His frame has blown; it has been so long it is rotten. Maybe the soldiers get some whiskey sometime. Jud Egbert and I draw ours and work ourselves in it some and throw the rest away. Wet or dry we are better off without it.


As to what Darland says we think just of it as we do of any of Jeff Minion's as he is no better than the smartest of them. Next year he will want them to pay him something monthly, as he perhaps will be just as lazy and as mean, if the soldiers don't get home. But I hope they will tell father he must trade his white faces for the calves if he (worht mose..???) give him some bad they will be easier to winter then calves.

The children ought to take something to cleanse their blood. I will try hard to be home next winter not wholly to get gooseberries. We have some blackberries once in awhile. Nora was smart to look over berries and so was Elburn. Give them an extra kiss for Pa. How is Mrs. Baker and how does Dock Baker get along? We heard he was wounded.

The fighting on the right the 28th very heavy. The rebs made six charges on our men and were repulsed each time with very heavy loss. Old soldiers that have been in many savage fights say they never saw anything like the dead that covered the ground over which the rebs came and went. The loss on our side was very small.

It is most mail time. I will close by giving you my heart's love and also to the little ones. I shall not think you have forgotten me or don't love me if I don't get letters very often. But write as often as you can and as much. Remember me in your prayers. Goodbye from your affectionate husband to E.D. Ackley.

C.T.Ackley

He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

It is with pleasure that I take the opportunity to pen you a few lines. I got a welcome letter from you. They are indeed the most welcome visitors I expect while in the army.

We are in the same place we was when I wrote the last. Have made no move but the whole army is not as we are at present. They are making working with caution to accomplish the capture of the fated city without exposing the man anymore than is necessary.

The cavalry are raiding all around. We don't know where till they have hit the rebs somewhere. The reb prisoners and papers say they are agoing to fight it out here and it looks like it. They don't say they must either whip the yanks here or be whipped. It is useless and folly to keep on the retreat any further. The men are getting their eyes open. Johnson has been saying that he had Sherman right where he wanted him and still kept running from him. Some of their papers say that the soldiers will not fight if they retreat any farther south. We hope it is so and they will make their last stand here. We are tired of chasing but can chase if they make up their minds to run. And we feel confident that we can give them their rights and put an end to the rebellion here if they will stand the test. They throw a shell over this way once in awhile but none of the 7th are injured. Last night a lot of our batteries on them and the thundering was pretty for awhile. The rebs made some replies. Some of our large guns came up and they are getting them into position and wanted to draw their fire so when the big ones were ready they would know where to send the missiles. The reb gun don't appear to throw with much accuracy.

There will be something done here before long. Don't know what or when, only that the rebs must be whipped and the rebellion crushed. I understand that Elder Inman has almost been in a fight. I should feel bad under the ordinary circumstances the error of his fighting but if he uses a few copperheads it will be good news. I have reference to Johnson's and Seaver's mess.

Did Montague say he was agoing to answer my letter? Is all of that land redeemed and how much was the money? It has been warm here but no mosquitos yet. It has been some rainy a few days and it is not quite as warm as it was.

Is Mrs. Prichard well now? If a mate to Prince is worth $12 the calves ought to fetch more than 8 but I guess it will best to let them go and get a mate to him for it will not be half the trouble to winter yearlings as it is calves. If I could be at home we could keep them all but I don't know when I shall but hope and pray that it will not be long. Some of the boys that did not re-enlist are going home now and some of the sick and wounded are going on furlough. I did not expect C Peet would, but heard he did not behave very nice to Ann Sours but if he does make you trouble don't be afraid of hurting him.

Is anything wrong with Lyme Horr? What kind of a snake was it you found on the shelf? I know everything is getting high but I can't get my pay till the right time comes. My eyes are open wide and the supervisors can't open them wider if they go to Dixie to help Jeff whip us. Sprague has not got much spunk as the fare at Nashville is far ahead of it here. I guess he was afraid of guerrillas or homesick. Poor man. He must raise provision for us so that we can fare better.


I have read all in your letter but don't know as you have read all in some that I have written. Emmerson wants to be ahead of all does he? I should like to see you all. I will send a pretty little paper in this. This paper I write this on is rebel captured. July 22 I got 1 1/2 sheets. I have other paper but as soon as you can, send me paper and envelopes and stamps. Is the sow going to make a good big piece of pork?

I guess I won't scold you about insuring much till I get home. It is right if you can spare the money. It ought to cover the house against all fires. Does it? Did Peters insure it? I heard bad stories about him and Mina. If it is so he ought to be shot or hung but I hope it is not so. Is it and Marcy C and Truax boy? Say nothing that I write only hanging and shooting and write all you can find out about it.
Yes the soldiers get 16 now. When I get pay you had better take the Dubuque Times or some other paper. All kinds of papers come here. Only 29 months now. Keep as good spirits as you can and try to not work so hard. Did you get that over to Martins sowed with Hungarian? Try and get Hank to get hay for you for that Mc note. Some say hay is plentiful; if it is, good. Try to get M to cut a day with the machine. He will stack the grain all in our yard, won't he? And tell Hank and our folks they may stack there if they have got lots of straw. If Hank has grain on his place try and have him stack some of it there so you will have plenty of straw. It will be handier to thresh than in the field and handier to draw than down to Mcs place and I should think he would have straw enough on that place. If you get that steer of Gideon let him have some of them little notes if he will take them. He sees the men and can ask them for the money. If you could see Sherman you had better tell him if he will pay all of that this fall. you will throw off the interest. If he has any stock to sell, maybe you can get G.M. or Sam to take it if you can't get hay without try to get him to cut or draw for you.

Write as often and as much as you can and if little fingers make paper or envelopes look rough it is just as welcome here and perhaps more. My dear I love you with all my heart. Tell all the little ones that pa loves them and would like to get hold of them and I want them to be good little children and love each other and ma and pa and help ma all they can. Kiss all around for me and pray always. Who bought the reaper and what kind and how much cost? Charles Gates must pay 50 cents per day for the waggon to draw loads. Write soon and remember your affectionate husband.
C.T. Ackley

E.D. Ackley Marble Rock, Iowa

I send you 1 dollar in this.



He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

Although I have sent you a short and simple epistle, today I could think of nothing that would pass the time away as pleasantly as writing to you, although I have no news yet. I thought I would begin a letter, but don't expect to complete it for a day or two, but it will be letter and will be read if it gets through safe.

I wrote that I would send you a pair of secesh gloves by a boy that was coming home, but I guess that I shall do them up in a paper and send them by mail. The boys left here yesterday, five that belonged to Co B, all from Chickasaw. Almost all of the boys wanted to send something and they had a lot to carry for themselves and had to march one day. I thought it would be as cheap as to send it by them and just as sure. One is named Jefferson Bailey, one Levi Mills. Bean was regimental wage master. Mills brigade Wagonmaster for Colonel, now, General Rice. Carkin was connected with the Surgeon. Smith has been away as blacksmith. Bailee was in the Signal Corps till after this company was began, then he came to the company, so it does not take too much of the fighting strength of the company. Some go from other companies. Don't know the number leaving the regiment. One that is wounded and I heard was going on furlough is a sergeant by the name of Phneass Hoysington of Cedar township, Floyd Co. If I could have seen him I could have tried to have him come see you. He is a fine man.

Pious John Parrish's time is out in October. There is a chance to enlist again under the new call, for one, two, or three years with bounty according, and if anyone wants to come to this company there is now a chance. Now, before the old boys went away the company was full. Don't know when the Captain and Lieutenant will go home. The Captain has gone to Chattanooga with the boys. When they are mustered out, he will come back. In a letter written in front of Kenesaw, near Marietta, I wrote something about our breastworks and said I would write more at another time. I will, for the want of anything of more interest, do it now. Outside of the logs and dirt, at the bottom of the works, is stakes that were driven in the ground slanting outwardly four or five feet high, sharpened at the top. It would have been pretty hard to climb (even) without guns and bayonets to keep them out. Four or five rods from the works the ground was dug full of holes two feet across, two or three deep, and the timber all chopped off and cleared off to the holes, then fine brush and leaves thrown over the holes. It looked smooth. I saw an officer ride over there. He did not know of the holes and come very near being unhorsed in consequence.

'Most night. Good night. Love to you all. Give the children a good night kiss for me. Keep love for yourself.
August 4th....

I will try to finish this today. It is some rainy and I have got Lieutenant Sam's tent to use. Company B went on the skirmish line last night and I slept in the tent, but I got wet all through going after water and it (the rain?) riled the spring so that I did not get any, and by the time I got back the shower which was heavy was over and I went to another spring 80 rods off and got water.


One boy by the name of Hiram Surface was wounded in the arm above the wrist, this morn about 2:00 on the skirmish line. Not very bad. The bone is bruised, not broken. There was very heavy fighting on the right and on the left, both at once. It commenced about five last night, and at the left it was terrible. For over two hours the cannonading was very heavy and the musketry a continuous one. Don't know the result, but think it favorable to our cause or we would hear it. It was very near Atlanta.

Supposed by some that our men were taking some of their works as their artillery stopped all at once in the midst of the fight. On the right it is reported that our men charged their works and at first were repulsed but charged again. Took the works and held them. Don't know as it is all so.

We drew rations yesterday for three days. We got beans and rice enough for a good mess of each for all, and we got ham enough for a good mess and some pickled pork hard tack. By the by, did you get some hard tack in my blanket? I sent some and the rest got some. We got plenty of coffee and 25 lbs of sugar for 57 men for three days. The coffee is good and already browned but not ground. We pound it mostly. We cannot make as good coffee as you can at home. Am not good cooks and have no conveniences for cooking. I can get along very well with what we have to eat.

Once in awhile we get desiccated potatoes. They are cooked, grated, dried some way. We soak them and they swell very much, then boil them or fry. They are the best fried, if we have enough grease (and) if we don't let them get sour, and sometimes we get mixed vegetables. All kinds mixed up, pressed and dried. Some don't like it, but it makes first rate soup for me. If we were not moving so much we would get some kraut occasionally. Collins, the agent of the Western Sanitary Commission, told me while we were at Big Shanty that he looked for kraut to be issued to the regiments if we staid till it come, but we left. He is at Marietta now and will come to Atlanta when we get the city. He keeps as near the front as possible.

I am going to try to send my little white head Union boy a cap by mail. I have got a good one like the one I wore (at?) home. The boys have mostly drawn hats. I have got one. The one I got May 15th on the battlefield is entirely worn out. I drew a pair of pants August 1st but let John Parrish have them, and he will draw me another pair as he can. My old ones have a hole in the seat but I am going to mend them. Have got a good pair that one of the boys were going to throw away. Shall keep them and if we stop at Atlanta shall try to send some things home to make clothes for the boys. This cap, if it comes, you can cut out some from behind if too big, guess not much, and I will try to send some blue cloth to put around the bottom to keep his ears warm when it is cold. If this goes good I shall try one for Emerson. Do you think it will pay to send some such things? If I can send them by mail they cost me nothing. The postage is all. I have got a paper to send this one in a Waverly magazine.

If you have not sent me any envelopes, send them, as I sent the last one I have, but some of the boys have some. Send some stamps as soon as you can get them, as I have only two or three, after sending mail today. You will think I want the worth of the money I sent you. It is almost the case, but it is only once in awhile that we can get envelopes or stamps here and envelopes are 40 and 50 cts a pack and paper 50 to 75 cts a quire. Don't send quite as large paper as this as it is larger than will go in my portfolio, but is good to write long letters on. This sheet is very dirty. It was the outside sheet you sent and I have carried it a long ways. You can put a quire and a package of envelopes in one package and do them up so the ends will be open and it will cost only 2 cts. Lots of the boys get them that way.


We get more coffee than we use. At the Chattachoochie River near Roswell we sold 2 lbs to the sutter for 30 cts per lb and a few days ago I let a lieutenant have 1 lb. He is to pay 42 cts. That is what they have to pay the government. If we could send it home it would go good with you. There is four shares in it, Judd, Job, Egbert, and myself.

I don't know what to fill this sheet with. Is there any more talk of your having the post office and getting a mate to Prince? It will be less work for you if you do get him and let the calves go, and we will soon have a team. You traded calves to accommodate them, and they ought to be as easy as possible with you. Was the calf you got as good as the one you let go? How much wheat do they think you will have? Will you have enough for your bread? Is potatoes good and how many did you plant?

How does the children get along? Are they good? Tell them Pa wants them to be good children. Love Ma, Pa and each other and pray for all of us. Give my respects to all who may enquire. Keep all love for yourself. To you it belongs and I send you all, in my weakness and unworthiness, I am capable of bestowing, and write often and all the news. You can kiss around for me. Pray for your humble but affectionate husband, though far away.

He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,
Once more I take my pen to write to you again. I am well and all the boys from there. It is quiet here this morn except the occasional booming of cannon and some firing by the pickets. Yesterday in the afternoon was a lively time. All the noise you ever heard at the 4th would not be heard by the side of what we had yesterday.

Orders came to advance our skirmishes at 2 PM and not be too fast as it was to be a feint to cover other movements that were in progress on one of the flanks, the right, I guess. As they advanced, the rebs took leg bail for their works and our men after them. While chasing them, Crumb was slightly wounded near the hip a little behind by a piece of a shell thrown by our guns. It only bruised him a little, did not cut any. He is able to go around when he is a mind to.

Before they could get any breast works, the rebs charged them, and the captain that had command of the whole line was drunk and they did not know what to do, and they were driven back to the old line, but we lost in the 7th [Battalion] 2 of the regiment was out, and they only had 3 killed and 9 wounded. I was safely insulated behind good fortification from 2 to 2 miles from the fighting. The colors don=t go on the skirmishing line. They are left in the works with a reserve, which yesterday was 5 companies, and 5 out of the 14 20th Corps is on the left and the 4th on the right in the fray. If it had been the intention to make an advance and hold the ground, we would have had to follow the rest as a support. Only 2 of the 7th was all that was out of our brigade, but the 2nd Iowa went just at night to relieve our boys. The fighting lasted till dark. It was near nine o=clock before Co. B could be heard from, but they all came in all right.

I was some uneasy about the boys. I thought that I would feel better if I was in with the boys as I would have a chance to know where and how the boys were, but there was more danger than there was here, for the boys said bees never were thicker than the balls were around and over their heads, and where I was, there was none, only while a shell came toward us. At the time the fighting was here, there was heavy fighting on the right several miles. I guess it was the move we were to cover. Don=t know what they done there.

Our men went so as to have a good view of Atlanta. The boys appear to be satisfied with the affair as far as they were concerned. If the chief of the outpost had been a sober man, the rebs would not [have] come as far as they did. His name is Benjamin Barber, formerly of Co. 9, 7th Iowa on the left where Co. B was. They did not give an inch. They got where the rebs could not see them, and if they came ever in sight, the boys would sock it to them. The rebs could not hit them from their cannon, but they threw shells in ravines as though they thought we were coming down there, but on the right the boys gave way and some of them ran. It is thought the rebs are fixing to evacuate here. It is about time.

I don=t expect to finish this [letter] today but sent one yesterday and a paper with a cap in it for Elburn. Our Cavalry are making raids all around. They destroyed the railroad 20 miles south of Atlanta, captured a train or 2 of reb supplies and baggage for this reb army and got lots of mules and horses, and Negroes followed them in.


I will close for this time by giving you my love. There is to be an inspection of arms at 5 PM, and it is about dinner time. I have not had a good chance to get my clothes scalded on this trip, and I have got some creepers, but a darkey is going to fix them this afternoon. Scalded pants, shirt, and drawers and a good bye for today. Kisses for all.

6 [AM]. I resume my pen this morn. I am well and the boys the same. Crumb is a little lame yet. He will be all right in a few days. I guess there has been some skirmishing in front this morn, but it only made us get our things on and get into the works. It is quiet here now, but there is firing by the skirmishers every little while night and day, and the most of the time there is cannonading and fighting on the right or left. The rebs opened a few cannon this morn, but their missiles fell short of us, and our batteries opened heavily and their guns soon stopped.

It is thought by some that the rebs would evacuate this city soon, and by others it is thought they will trade titles with us here. Prisoners and their papers say what is the use of falling back all the time. If they can=t whip us here, they can=t [go] any farther and what is the use of letting the yanks go any farther into this county and making it desolate? They say this is as good a place to wind up the war as any other, and better as it will save them a great deal of marching and fighting and suffering and keep their lands from all being overrun, and if they can whip the yanks as Johnson and the other officers tell them they can, now is the time. Every union soldier thinks about the same; if we can settle here, it is as good a thing as we need. We think they can=t whip us, and I guess they think so too, for they would be more willing to try it, no doubt, but there will [be] hard fighting, but Atlanta is doomed, and it is hoped she will pull this part of the rebellion with her. And I guess Grant will take [care] of the other end in good time.

The day we came here, it was rainy, and we had our rubbers out, and when we were ordered to charge through the woods and take this hill and we were to leave our knapsacks, we spread the rubber over them and after we were fixed on the hills, some of the boys went back after the things. It was dark and someone took my rubber to themselves, and I can=t find it. It was well marked. I guess someone that has gone home must have got it. I don=t know when I will get one. They don=t draw any more clothes till next month. At the fight the 22nd, I could have picked up any quantity but could not carry any more than I had at that time.

I washed some yesterday and boiled them. Sure gray backs. Lieut=s darkey got some things to wash with.

[Note: There was no closing to this letter. Perhaps it was not all; or, of course, C.T. could have stopped writing abruptly and simply put the envelope to mail in haste. Indeed, that is not usual for him.]



He wrote the following letter²¹ [This partial letter has on the top of the page a number. The entire document was assigned the number 101 by Larry. The content includes a date of August 9th, which had to be 1864, so that is the date assigned for logging. ]

page 3d

...If he can't, try Sherman. If you can't get a chance, get it done if you can. What does Sally and Mrs. Westbrook get for their work? Who helped them in harvest? I knew you could drive the reaper, if it was not for the children, but you can't stand carrying bundles. Christina has worked too. She writes baby is quite a writer. I would like to have caught him at it and caught you all the biggest kind. What kind of folks are Westbrooks? I should like to milk for you and see if I could get a few kisses. What do you think? Emmerson is a pretty good fellow to count. I am in a great hurry to see the children and you, the most precious of all.

You think the call of 500,000 does not look like coming home, but we all think it does. If they have them in the field, we could soon clear up the scatterings. We have men enough to whip and flank them and keep them, but after an active campaign of 110 days and a march of over 400 miles in the hottest of weather, we were somewhat jaded and our ranks thinned by sickness and dirty, some ragged and our families suffering at home for money due us and it was decided to rest, clean up, get clothes and pay, as it was out of the question for us to take care of our money on the campaign and the pay masters were ordered back but they are busy making out the pay roll and I guess we will soon get pay.

Letter 2nd, mailed Aug 9th. Do you have good meetings? I have not heard a sermon since I was in Nashville. You had quite a house full. Was Mrs. Sprague's children with them?
Ask Father and Gideon to hep you about as much as they can. Tell them they don't come home good and the children - Page 4 No. 51 - are not large enough to go after them or to leave alone while you go after them. It is not much trouble for them to fetch them for you. Stir Sprague up to write another new seat. What is the creed?

John is lucky on the draft. What does the new draft for Militia amount to? How do you think Aunt Dorcus feels about Edwin? If you see anything of the Oneonta paper from the 7th, lay it to me and keep quiet. We are also waiting for the conscripts which the draft we all hope will soon fetch out and the president puts off the draft for any length of time or fails to enforce it. There is a lot of solders that will not vote for him and it is doubtful of his election, but putting the draft through will insure his election.

I am going to write a long letter if I have nothing of interest to write. The cry last year was that they could not get their crops harvested gut I see there is a way provided notwithstanding the absence of so many laborers. How is the potato crop?

Tell Mrs. Snell that we can't cont spare our pets, but there is plenty of black ones in some parts to be had for the catching. She can send Snell down after one to Nashville.
Am glad Nora is a good girl. Tell her pa loves her very much and wants her to be good. Tell them all so, and keep lots of love for yourself. When I get pay you must buy two bed steads, then you will have them, for I don't' know as I will could make another when I do get home. Expect I shall be too lazy to work.

How many oats do they think you will have? I expect you will have a nice table soon, but you may keep the old one to show or for the parlor.
L
must quit and get supper - beef steak and coffee. Finish in the morn. Good night. Supper done and a little time to write. We had beef steak fried in the tallow form the inwards and fried hard tack, coffee, and sugar, and some pickles. We bought a gallon of them. We gave 50 cts. 6 of us went in. We buy it the same way the officers get their rations. Joe got the order of Folsom for them and four pounds of dried apples. They cost a schilling per lb. Not very good ones.

Yesterday Egbert and I went 1½ miles to the slaughter yard and bought a heart, liver, and tongue of a beef and gave 50 cts for them. Joe and his mess mate had part of that so there was six of us and it made 3 very good meals. We had to get the gut tallow to cook it in. They would give us all we could get off of the inwards.

We have been pinched somewhat of late in the eating line, as the division quarter masters has been fleecing us and they have just found him out. His name is Palmer, and a captain. The company officers went to headquarters and complained that the....

[This letter ends abruptly, indicating that another page contained the rest.]
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife,

Again I take pen to endeavor to write you a few lines, although it is not very convenient as it is very exciting here. The rebs' pickets and our pickets aren't over 10 or 15 rods apart. The 8th we moved about 100 rods and built works and staid all night and it rains a good deal. I have got another rubber. Someone took Egbert's the same night that mine was taken, but he got one in the place of it and when we left in the morn of the 8th we were ordered to leave all but canteen and haversacks and men were sent back at night for the knapsacks and blankets and I have the one he had. No one claims it. It is good one. It rains some everyday and makes it rather nasty, and yesterday we moved nearly 2 mile and finished works that another regiment commenced in the night. We are probably within 12 miles of Atlanta. Reb pickets are not over 20 rods in our front and last night our men went nearly 2 way to their rifle pits and dug more and are in them now cracking away at each other. There is now and then a shell comes from them but they come as near their picket as ours. Their shells (since writing the first page have eat my dinner, boiled rice and sugar and a small piece of ham and a small piece of hard bread. I have had a touch of diarrhea and have not a first rate appetite but am getting better. Guess I shall be quite well in a few days. The boys are well.)

Their shells have not done us no harm yet. Five men of the 2nd Iowa were wounded yesterday at our right by the missiles from our own cannon, that are behind us. They have a strong fort near our regiment for cannon. The pioneers worked there all night and today they don't want to bring cannon here till the fort is done, as the reb sharpshooters are so near they could pick off our gunners. I expect that there will be guns here before morning. If the rebs don't leave there will be a big artillery duel tomorrow, I think. But can't tell many minutes beforehand what we will do. The reb sharpshooters have wounded two men in the 7th. One in Co A broke his arm. He was in a rifle pit in front. The other was looking over the works. He belonged to Co F and was one of the Color guards. It went into the top and back part of his shoulder and down his back 6 inches (TORN OFF SECTION OF LETTER)

I saw a lot of the generals - Sherman for the first time. Had a good view of him standing around. He is very plain looking man with some hair and whiskers, tall and rather slim. Looks pleasant. General Howard is a good looking man with dark hair and whiskers, with one arm off at the shoulder, I think the right, lost in this war. General Williams has commanded the 20th Corps since Hooker has gone. Short, thick with iron gray hair and husky whiskers of the same color. Very plain with buckskins (TORN OFF)

....and were about crossing the Chatachoochie this way and if they had not got caught would probably by this time been within the rebel lines with lots of very valuable information. They will, I expect, soon end their days. One was a major. One a captain and an orderly sergeant. As I have nothing of importance to write I will close today by giving you my love and also tell the children that Pa loves them and wants them to be good children help Ma and be good to each other. Pray for Pa. What does Elburn say about that cap? Can you fix it so that it will do him any good? Goodbye for today August 12th. My dear, you will please to excuse me for not finishing this letter, but I have not had time. Yesterday the rebs were shelling us all day and we had to lay in the ditch close to the works. It was some showery and in the ditch was some mud but we did not look for mud, but when we heard the shells coming looking for yanks we hugged the ground.




He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife,

I have received a precious letter from you and although I have sent one to you today, I will commence another, but it may be several days before I shall get it done and mailed. I am ever pleased to get a letter from the loved ones, if it is rather old. It is (dated) July 26 and the paper and envelope were mailed August second and I got it two days ago. Paper and such things for sometime have come before the letters, and I am confident you mailed one letter the same time, as it has been the case several times and it is the same with the other boys. Someone is to blame. I don't know who or where they are.

About that overcoat, it was sent in a hurrying time and I was on picket at the time and wrote you a letter. Don't know what I did write, but we got the receipt while at Roswell and it was sent to Dock, as he sent the box as we was all on picket, and when the receipt came to us, Dock was not there and Egbert sent it to Woolsey. I think when we get to Atlanta, if we stop I can send some things home.

We can't send anything on this campaign and if we send anything from any place we have to get a permit from headquarters and they don't like to have us send any clothes, but if we get them where they are thrown away, and if the officer that oversees the packing is friendly, he will help us some. I guess drawers cost between 75 cts and $1.00 and if we ever get where the railroad runs regular, I think I can send some things home. Have two old pair of pants and John Parrish owes me a new pair, and when we get where we can send things home, I think I will send the old ones home.

I guess either pair will make one of the dear boys a pair that will keep them warm a good while and I guess I can get some more and some old coats that will make them coats and I guess I can send some drawers. I have got a pair of Sesch drawers that Egburt copt on May 15th. They were new and he wore them a little and they got dirty. He was going to throw them away and said I might have them and I washed them and have them on for the first time. They are home spun cotton and I want to send them if I can, and the other pair that I have got are alike them that I wore home. They are some that was thrown away when we first started on march and they were nearly new and mine was ripped behind and I threw one pair and took them. They are thin in the seat, otherwise will wear a long time. If we can send things home I will send them home.

I shall send home all I can, but don't make too much count of it till you get them. If you want some, you can get the cloth if you can and not make it up till you know what I send home. If that cap that I sent comes through all right, and you think it best, I will send Emerson one when I get one. Since I left Iowa I have drawed a dress coat that I sent to Chattanooga when we were at Kingston, but don't know whether shall get it or not. It is most as good as new and lots of the boys sent things back the same time.

We put a lot of things together and when we get somewhere to stop we will try to get them and one pair of pants and at Huntsville threw the old ones away, two pair of shoes and one I sold, as I was leaving Prospect for one dollar. The other are new now and I am wearing them, one rubber blanket, one pair socks (but let Jud have them and he is to get me another pair), one blouse (and let Joe have that and he let me have a quite a good dress coat and is to draw me a new one), and one pair of pants (let Parrish have them and he is to draw me another pair). The shirts that I wear home are pretty good yet and will last a month or two yet. It is time to get supper. Good bye.


Morning Aug 18th

I resume my pen to complete this scrawl. There is nothing new of importance. Joe is not very well. Dr. Sours is grunting some. The boil is very sore under my arm. It is the right arm. It makes my head ache some. Jud was at work all night on fort. There was five from our company. When they want men to work they send to the Co order to detail men for fatigue. Any kind of work here is called fatigue that the soldiers have to do except cleaning up the ground around our quarters that is called (?). We were called up early this morning and ordered to police our quarters immediately and we done it before breakfast.

For breakfast we had bean soup, hard bread, coffee and sugar. Jud came in as we were eating. He went out last night before and did not expect the work very long and did not take anything with him and he had a good appetite for breakfast.

The cannonading was pretty heavy all day yesterday. One of our batteries, the 1st Missouri Co H is the name of the battery that belongs to our brigade. They have 6.12 pound Napoleon guns. They are not for long range but for one mile they can't be beat and their gunners are first rate. They can keep it thundering continually if they want to. They done the most of the shooting yesterday. It was calculated to open all along the lines but the forts could not be finished so there was not as much done as we expected.


He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

Having a little spare time, I thought I would spend it in as pleasant a way as circumstances will admit. Therefore I commence penning you a few lines to inform you of my health, which is good, except a few little boils. The one under my arm is well and I had three coming, one on the back bone between my hips, one above the left hip three inches from the backbone between my hips. They are not very large. The boys are well except Joe and Sours. They are complaining. Joe is most over his, but Sours is better. Neither have been to the hospital. We are in the same place that we were when I wrote the last letter, but Jud, Egbert, and Hiram are in front at work in a big fort. They are getting the forts pretty thick all along our lines and they have good range of the town and the reb works and forts. The rebs threw a few shell over here this morn. One piece struck a rifle about 20 feet from where I am now writing and then passed through a tent 10 feet off and went on down the hill. But the guns in our fort soon dried up that. They made the rebs draw in their guns out of sight and it is the last of that we have heard of them. Our gunners keep a sharp look out for them. It suits them to see the rebs poke out their big guns and then send their compliments to them instanter and the rebs hole their gun quick.

I was not here when they were shelling this morn. I went back to the hospital and got some pills and to try to get some tobacco of the sutter. Don't grieve about my using tobacco very much but you may write to scold a little if you want to. The boys say, "What do you want with tobacco, you have not took a chew since you have been with the service?" but if anybody wants to buy the boys will tell them "I guess Ackley has some" - but I don't keep it long. Three or four days ago I bought $3.70 cts worth, but it is all gone before today, and I want to get some right off, but there has none come to camp today and I am afraid there won't. I got my money back and a dollar in sutter tickets and one of our boys owes me another dollar. I took the knife and sold it to him for two dollars. He gave me $1 in tickets. I also have 30 cts in tickets for the same tobacco.

He is our old cook. His name is Hoysington. He lives in Floyd County near Nashua and I got another knife for some of the tobacco with 75 cents and today I went 2 miles and bought nine pies for 10 cts a piece a little larger than a tea saucer. You see I was in for a good meal, but when I got to camp I was minus six, but had 15 cts in cash in my jeans for each one, and I let Sours have one and he would pay me if he could, but he is not able to eat much and I brought one on purpose for him, and another sick boy wanted a little and I gave him 1/4 and another wanted some pretty bad and offered me 10 cts for 1/2 and I let him have it, but I intended to keep two for our dinner, but had 1 1/4 and Hi came along while we were eating and I gave him a small piece so I had my money back and ten cts, 1 pie for Jud, Egbert, Job and my humble self, but I gave 50 cts for a gold pen - extravagant, but you will say, "His writing looks as if he needed a little better pen", but it won't help that a mite, as I sold it when I got to camp, to George Craig for $1.50, due pay day. The man that I got it of wanted some pies and had no money and he offered to the bakery for five and they did not want it and I saw it was a good one, so I told him I would give him what would fetch him the pies and he handed it over. It was a large nice pen but if I undertook to keep it I should break or lose it and I sold it; did not mean to keep it when I got it.

Aug 16th.


Dear loved ones. I will try to finish it up this morn, so that it may depart to bear tidings to you of me. I left off abrupt last night, as the rations came and Jud and Egbert were at work and I had to attend to the drawing of theirs, and by the time it was over it was supper time. As I got the things out this morning to write, a man came up selling tobacco and I invested all the money and borrowed $2 more. Quite a dealer. I bought $5 worth and went to the front 1/2 mile and in less than an hour it was all gone and I ran back to try to get to our camp before he left but could not but I had 75 cents to show extra. Not a very heavy but small profit, and quick return is a good motto for merchants.

The left wing of the 7th went off the skirmishing line last night, but Jud and Egbert had to work on the fort till after dark and so they did not have to go and Jud is not very well this morn. I guess he worked too hard. It is very quiet along the lines today, but it was very noisy all night with muskets and there was a big 32 pound gun in the fort where they were at work and they threw a shell about every five minutes into the town. It got out of gear this morn and they have not fired it since about sunrise. Some of the wood gave out and there was another big gun to the right of us that barked the same as ours. It made a rattling in town and I guess it kept them awake, but they did not open any canon on us in the night. They got shot up so sudden yesterday morn that I guess they were some afraid. Four or five days ago on our right three or four miles the reb pickets and ours made an agreement to get up a sham fight and either shoot over each other or shoot blanks and they would give themselves up to our men if they would move out as if they were going to advance our lines. They did so and got somewhere between two and four hundred prisoners. They were Texas troops, mostly conscripts; they gave up, officers and all. The rebs found out what they were at before they got inside of our works and opened on them and killed and wounded but our men paid them off. The gun in front is sending its compliments to the town folks again. They got some of the building on fire last night, but the fire wasn't very extensive. Egbert has gone to see if he can get any pies or light bread now. I shall look very sharp for a letter today when the mail comes as I think there was one mailed for me Aug 2 as that was the time the paper and envelopes was mailed and I have that most a week. If you have not sent any stamps since you sent the paper, if you can without too much trouble, send a few more in some of your next letters. It is about as good a way to send a few at a time. I shall have three after I send this. I let a boy have a sheet of small paper and an envelope for two stamps. Envelopes like the last you sent sold here yesterday for 50 cts a pack. Paper is from 50 to 75 a quire. When you send anymore send part smaller kind of paper if it is as handy to get as this.

I will try to remit a little more as soon as I can. If the sutter gets some tobacco pretty soon I can get my $1.80 in tickets into money. I have now 3.80 cts in cash but that is not a very large pile to trade on when we are not moving. I can trade some, but you need it at home, but I want to hear from all that I sent before I send anymore. I sent some in three letters. Your last letter said you had got one with money in it, you was surprised to get and had not had time to read how I got it but you do know before this time. What do you think of my speculating? If Fido won't stay at home you had better get a puppy, if you can, and sell Fido or kill him, but you ought to have a dog this winter, or the vermin will take all of the poultry. If you can get another pup, try and keep him tied up. Tell Nora she must be a good girl and help Ma, as she has got her some new hoops. Tell them all Pa loves them very much and wants them to be good and love Ma and Pa, and pray for us and themselves. Write all you think of, and you must not sign yourself "unworthy wife," as it is not right. Accept my love, my dear.

Some think Sherman could drive the rebs out of Atlanta any day but he did not care a fig for the town. It was the men around it he was after. Some think Longstreet is on his way to reinforce the rebs here. If he comes, there will be lively times, but we will have reinforcements in a few days. Remember me to all the curious and inquisitive. Write often and pray for your affectionate husband.

C.T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

Again I am seated to pen you a few dry lines. There is not much news to write as we have not done much here but dig to build forts and breastworks, but we have thrown a great many missiles into the town. Shell, solid shot, and hot shot knocked down a great many houses and burned some. There has been several fires and last night they threw some hot shot and kindled a good fire, but it is quite still and it did not spread much and did not burn many buildings.

It is very quiet here this morn. The 32 lb. gun opened its throat and spit a quid over to Atlanta yesterday. There was heavy cannonading along the lines. The rebs opened on us, and we had to get up early and pile into the ditch before it was fairly light as their shells came into our camp. There was a colored cook belonging to the 52nd Illinois wounded severely in the hip. They came back here and stay and cook as their regiment is on the front line, and fire is a good thing for the rebs to shoot at and there is more danger in standing and walking around out of the ditch. Here is a steep hill, and when we are down the side, there is not much danger.

Sam Folsom had a ball go through his pants and just grazed his leg while he was washing the 16th. Yesterday morn I went back to the Chattahoochee River with the Union. I bought $8 worth of tobacco. I had about $3 and I got $1.50 of Judd and $1 of another fellow and Joe sent 2.50 and I got 6 raised biscuits at 5 cents apiece and 1 we ate. I have not sold much tobacco yet as it was almost night when I got back. It is 6 or 7 miles to the river and as rough land as you ever saw. The railroad bridge is all completed, and two wagon bridges. The pontoons they have taken down the river to Sandtown Ford 10 or 12 miles. These are not cloth pontoons. They are wood and shaped something like [unintelligible].

We heard a few days ago that Killpatrick (he was wounded near Reseca in May) had got back and taken command of the Cavalry and had made a raid on the Mason railroad, the only one the rebs had left leading to Atlanta and tore it up and held it, and yesterday I saw a man that was with him and helped to tear up the road. If it is true, the rebs here are in a tight place and will have to fight soon or leave, which will not be so easy without [the] railroad. Stoneman with the Cavalry went on a raid and done a great deal of damage but were partly surrounded, and Stoneman with 1,000 or more of his men captured. The guerillas have been interfering with our railroad. They made a dash between here and Chattanooga and tore up about 1 mile, but it is all right now. The cars could run yesterday and have heard them whistle this morn, and old Wheeler undertook to take the road at Tunnel Hill, 20 or 30 miles this side of Chattanooga, with the intent of blowing up the tunnel. He had powder sufficient to do it, but our troops were too much for him and whipped him good and took a lot of his men after killing and hounding some of them and captured all of his cannon powder, a pretty good offset for Stoneman=s failure, but . . .accomplished a great deal in destroying roads and stores, but Killpatrick I guess can match them. He has gone on a raid; started yesterday morn. No one but high officials knew where, and it is uncertain whether they do or not.


The weather is still warm, but we don=t have to work very hard, and the most of the boys like whiskey, and they get it twice a day sometimes. Egbert, Judd, Joe, and Tom draw their regular jiggers and pour jit on the ground. Sours is not well yet but he is better. Joe is returned to duty. We have had no news for 3 days. Expect it is on the account of the guerillas in the rear but are expecting it [the news] today. Have had no letters since the 12th. The 16th I found an old acquaintance by the name of Adison Gardner, some of William Gardner formerly of Laurens, now of Wisconsin. He is first lieutenant of Co. G 1st Wis inst. They=re laying at our left rear. I went and found him. He told me some very bad news: You may have heard it before this gets to you that Henry Ackley was mortally wounded last spring at the battle of the Wilderness and has since died. He was in the hospital at Washington, and Julia went there and took care of him. Poor Julia. I feel sorry for her. Sam is married again and lives in Wisconsin, and James Gardner was also killed. Egbert Gardner has enlisted and is before Petersburgh. Aunt Hanna is dead. Billy=s folks are well. Aunt Lizzy lives out there. She bought a place and she and Aunt Faney and Stephen live together. Stephen teaches school. I expect Adison over here, and then I shall learn more about the folks.

Now, my dear loved ones, how do you all get along? I am well and hope these unintelligent lines will find you enjoying the same rich blessing from a kind parent. You have got all 3 of them letters that had money in before this. How much did you get? I don=t know as I shall be able to remit very soon as I have let the boys have some things on time. I bought another gold pen yesterday. Gave two dollars for pen and holder. One dollar down and 15 cents in tobacco and 25 cash and sold it to Job for the same price, 50 cents down, the rest as soon as he can. I owe 25 cents borrowed and only have 15 cents but I have $6.50 worth of tobacco and $1.75 sutler tickets and the boys owe me about $1.00. After I get this letter mailed, I am going to try to sell some tobacco. I have always sold all I could get pretty quickly, and I guess I can again.

As I commenced this, I thought I could not think of enough to fill a large sheet, but I can fill this one with marks if nothing more when there is nothing much transpiring. And I got no letters for a week or more. It makes pretty dry letters, but as flat and dry as this letter is, I will remind you dear ones that I still love you with all my heart and pray that God will deal very gently with you and give you strength to bear your heavy burdens and that the little ones [unintelligible] may be raised in a manner pleasing in his sight. Tell them pa sends them much love and still wants them to be good and pray for him. Write about the harvest and how much grain you will have and how the corn is and all the news and continue to write as often as you can and ever pray for your husband

C.T. Ackley

To Mrs. C.T. Ackley and children, read to our folks about the Gardners and they will know more than you about who they are. Good bye, dear ones.



He wrote the following letter²¹ I again seat myself to scribble to you although have not much news to write.

General Dodge was wounded in the head yesterday about 10 a.m. It is not a very severe wound, but it caused quite an excitement for a time as he is a fine man and a good officer, and was so common and plain and every day, so much alike, that he was highly respected and much loved by both officers and privates. He was out to the front line viewing the works and the town and noting the effects of the cannon, and he started to go out to the skirmish line about 20 or 30 rods in front of our main line and a bullet scraped the top of his head and knocked him down, and those who saw it thought he was killed, but it is not said to be very severe, but will incapacitate him for duty for awhile.

Crumb is in the hospital. He was not very sick, or his hurt bad, when he left, and I have not heard from him since he left here about a week ago. I expect he has gone back to Marietta, as all the sick and wounded that are able to go and will not be fit for duty soon are sent back, as it is more convenient and easier to get the things they need. Most of the wounded that will not be fit for duty in that time are given 30 days furlough home, if they want to go home. Some out of our company have gone and I expect some that live in Floyd County. I shall not see any of them before they go. One is a Sergeant the name of Phineas Hoysington of Cedar township.

I have got no mail since writing my last. There has been no mail here for four days, but they say there is lots of mail where we will get it tonight. Hope so don't you? If you get that paper with a cap in it, write what you think of it. I shan't send anything, unless I get where I can send a box, till I hear what you think of sending such things and sending them by mail. Did you get a paper with a kind of a sock or cape that I sent? I have got three or four blocks of piece work, that I have had some notion to send, one at a time in a paper. Some of the men have sent some. I gave one to Job and he sent it to his mother.

I have sold all the tobacco, that I got over to the river; out of about 13 dollars (worth) that I had, I have got $5 now. If I had got $50 worth, I could have sold it all before this time. It was all gone last night and there has been quite a number here today after some. I did not go around over 1 1/2 hours to sell it, and I went back about two miles today to try to get some more, but did not succeed, but a man about a mile back had gone to the river after some. He keeps it the most of the time and he was to be back at two o'clock. I want to go over tonight, but it is four now and some rainy, and we are looking for mail every minute.

Last night we had to move again about 1/2 mile to the front line to relieve the 52 Illinois in the works we built on the 9th, and was relieved by the 52nd the 11th. It is about time to cook our coffee. The cooks cook our beef and will soon be here with it. Job was sick in the night and vomited. He was quite sick in the morn, but is a great deal better. Now good bye for tonight as I shall have to quit and not finish it till tomorrow.


Yesterday Joe went to the butcher yard and bought a beef liver and part of a heart for 50 cts and we bought 1/2 of it of him for 25. 5 cts each and it was the best thing we have had for a long time. We had pork enough to go, grease enough to fry it. It made us two good meals. We don't have quite as much meat as we can eat, but we get along very well, as we have other things. We want more meat as we have no butter or any gravy or anything else of the kind. The night we moved, the cooks were left in the old works and someone stole the beans, mixed vegetables, and desiccated potatoes.

Aug 22d

I again resume my writing although Lieut. Gardner is here, but it will be time for the mail to leave by the time I get this done. He sends his kind regards to all that ever knew him. He says he knew you. Tell Father and Mother about him. He says yet that he has a notion to take a trip up in that country, if he gets out of the service sound. He had a wound at Chickamauga that rendered his first two fingers. His time is out the 1st of October, then he wants to go home, make a visit, then he is a going to look around some.

Job is better. He is not in much pain. He is not 1/2 bad as I was when Dodge put his horn into my ribs. The doctor says he will place him off of duty for a few days and then he will be alright without going to the hospital. Sours is grunting but he is better a little.

I guess the left wing went on picket last night. It rained most all night but is pleasant this morn. If this is disconnected you will please to excuse me as I am talking to Add three words to writing one, but talking and writing must be done. How do you all get along? I am well and hearty but am out of tobacco nearly. Have only 30 cts worth, but have sent to the river for three dollars worth, and too busy myself. I have to wait on Job what he wants, which is not much as he has found out he can stir a little without hurting him much.

The bullets whistle through once in awhile and our old 32 pounder sends its compliments to Atlanta every little while, night and day and the other cannon speaks once in awhile, but the rebs have thrown no shell here to us since Thursday. But there has been fighting on the right.

Add says he don't know the particulars of Henry's death, only his mother wrote that James was killed and Henry was wounded through the hips in the battle and Julia was there taking care of him, and in another letter she wrote he was dead.

My dear, I send you my love, for I love you with all my heart. Tell the children Pa loves them and wants them to be good and keep praying, for Pa loves them and prays for them. Write often and all of the news. Pray for me. I hope I shall get a letter today. Good bye, Love. The paper is most full and it is most mail time. Write often all the news. Good bye from your humble but affectionate husband.

C.T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

Again I resume my pen to write to you again, but I have not got any letters yet, and it is about the same thing here and therefore I shall have to write a very dry letter, or none at all. The weather is warm. We have had considerable rain of late, but is clear now.

The big 32 pound gun is burnt, so that they had to run it out and get another, which they did and continue to throw shell into the town at intervals night and day. Last night they set a fire in town which burnt for some time. There is a fire there most every 24 hours. The first big gun burnt out at the breach(?). The hole got too large and out of shape, but it can be fixed again as good as new. They are calculated to fire 1,000 rounds before it is dangerous to use them and they fired it about that number. The bore is 4 1/2 inches in diameter. When it hits a building it makes the pieces fly. The rebs have not opened a canon on us for several days till this morning when they threw shell pretty lively for a little while, but done no harm as I know of, and our batteries opened so brisk that the rebs quit. It is very quiet now at 11:00. In our front the big gun is only about 10 rods from us and we lay down and sleep with it booming all night and some musketry 20 rods off. It does not disturb us, but let the muskets commence a sharp firing and it will open our eyes instanter, and it does not take long or need orders to have us all up in our places with our guns in our hands.

I shall not try to send this for a day or 2 if I don't get a letter tonight, but shall try to fill the sheet soon, as I think my dear will read it if it is dry. Dear, I still love you and hope and pray that the Lord will continue to bless you with good health, and also the precious little ones, and that he will hasten the close of this cruel war and let us return to our houses.

August 25. Dear ones, I again resume my pen for a few moments, although I have no news. We had orders this morn to be ready to move at 9, but by the time we had our things packed the order was countermanded and we settled down again, but we expect to move tonight but don't know as we will. It is thought here that we are going to fall back a mile or so and let the left of our lines rest on the river and straighten the lines so that we will not have as long a line and can spare troops to operate on the flank, as it is exposing men too much charging strong works as the rebs have here. If we can flank them and hold their railroad they will have to come out and attack us or leave for other parts. The news from other parts of the army is very good, but the Copperheads at home is the only thing that keeps up this wicked war. How the rebs tell this and it is printed in their papers that if they can't keep up, their friends in the north will resist the coming draft and defeat old Abe at the next election; they will accomplish their object. We are glad to hear of the arrest of some of the leaders in a conspiracy to defeat the government, but would be more pleased if they would execute the whole gang. If we had 200,000 more men we could make short work of it and the draft will soon catch them. Are they doing anything to escape the draft there?

No letter yet. Goodbye my love. I must go get some fresh water and by that time it will be supper time. Have to go about 100 rods for good water. My pens are getting poor. If you could get a few good ones and do them up in a letter to me I will feel much obliged and maybe you will have less trouble in reading my letters.

29th

My dear you will think it takes a good while to finish this letter. It does, but I have been doing something else. The night of the 25th we left at 9 at night and marched 4 miles back west. The pioneers had been there, commenced works and in the morn we had to finish them. The bile [boil] under my arm was so sore and bad that I did not work any. It is the second one that I have had under my right arm in two weeks. It is most well.
We had orders to be ready to move at 9 a.m. Started at ten, marched and halted off and on till daylight and had come 6 miles. The works in front of Atlanta were evacuated not because we were whipped but the rebs had got sick of chasing us and we did not wish to be slaughtered in front of works. They had been at work a year or so to make them strong so some kind of a flanking movement was started.
We stopped at day light, had time to make coffee and eat our breakfast, then started and marched 15 miles in a south westerly course. Came within one mile of the river, then turned more south. Camped a little before sundown in a pasture covered with scattering pines. A nice place that. Had orders yesterday (28th) morn to be ready to move at 7 but did not start till noon. Went about six miles. Camped in a nice grove at 5. Found some green corn cut it off and boiled it and salted and peppered and put some grease in and it was first rate. The night of the 27 we got a few ears to roast. This morn we had some more boiled the same way we had been Yesterday we marched in a south easterly direction. We are near the Montgomery railroad. Have orders to be ready by 7 but it is later now; don't know when we will or which way. There was no mail in or out since the 25. That is one good reason of this not finding you before this. When you read some of what I have been doing in very hot weather with a nice bile under my arm and a big knap and 2 or 3 days rations, a gun and 40 rounds of ammunition, you will not think I am very much to blame for not writing and sending this before now.

I am sitting on a knapsack with my portfolio on my knees and the boys are lying and sitting in all positions, expecting orders to "fall in", then there will be a scratching to get their things ready to fall in. Everything is in my knapsack except portfolio pen ink and memoranda book and I can get them in pretty quick. I am generally on hand in time, when the "fall in 7th Iowa" comes.

I am well and hearty, but my arm is sore yet. I feel as much like marching as I have on the campaign, my arm excepted. Capt. Reiniger came up the 27th. I expect to go in a few minutes. Good bye. I love you very much.


Last night in my dreams I made you a visit but awoke to find it only a dream. I wish it was a reality. How do you and the little ones get along? May God ever continue to bless you and give you health and strength to bear your burdens with faith believing that in good time the Lord who is ever merciful will return me to your arms and this wicked rebellion will be put down for which let us continue to pray. Pray for me dearest and ask all praying Christians to remember me with all soldiers, some of which are very wicked, swearing, drinking when they get it to drink. It is issued to them most every day and card playing also abounds, none of which I do yet. Still I am weak in good works and do not pray as much as I ought or read my Bible, but I read it about every day, intend to every day.

The tobacco trade has nearly played out for a time at least and I have spent a little money of late and I don't know as I can send anymore to you till I get pay or stop where I can make some. Orders to take our rubber blanket and leave our knapsack and be ready to move at 8. It is that now. Good bye, dear ones. Love of an affectionate husband and father. Pray for me. Good bye. If I get a chance I shall send this as it is if not shall fill the sheet.

September 5th

Dear wife, You will undergo a great deal of anxiety on the account of not getting mail from me but there has not mail gone out since commenced this the day I wrote the last in this.

We went 7 miles and tore up a lot of the Montgomery railroad at a station called Fairburn. We destroyed it in a way that it can't be repaired without everything new. Burnt the ties and heated the rails and bent them all. Then we went back to where we left our things. The 30th we started early in the morning. We crossed the railroad and took an easterly course towards the Macon and Western railroad. Afternoon they had artillery and drove our cavalry back, then the artillery opened on them and died up theirs, and the left wing went to support the 2 d Iowa to drive them out. They drove easy. We lost no men here.

He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife,

I will append a little more to this already long letter. We were notified that mail would go out at 11:30 for the first time for 2 weeks. I have wished many times that I could send you a letter knowing that you would feel very anxious to hear from me, poor stick as I am, and I am also anxious to get some letters. Have had none since August 12, and that mailed July 26. There must be a lot of mail for us somewhere. Last night mail come to us for the first time since we left Atlanta on the last flank move, but there was but a little. None from Iowa. I got one from Joe. He has been getting mail all the time. It came as far as Marietta and there was stopped till the army got around to where it could be got to them without danger from the rebs.

We are camped in a grove 4 or 5 miles from Atlanta. We left the works in front near Lovejoy station at 8 o'clock at night of the 5th in a rainstorm, with the mud in some places over shoe and the night dark. We marched and halted for 4 or 5 miles and lay down about 2 in the morn and lay till 4 then started and passed through Jonesboro and camped about noon in our old works that they built when we advanced. Lay there till the morn of the 7th then marched 10 miles in the direction of Atlanta. Stayed there till morn then came 6 or 7 miles to this place. We expect to stay here a month and rest and get pay and wash up and get clothes. Some of the boys are pretty ragged. I expect we will get our pay in a few days.

The rebs followed us some to Jonesboro but the 14th Corps gobbled a lot of them and I have heard nothing of them since this campaign has ended. Atlanta has fallen and many other places. Them rebs have been badly whipped at all points and now General Sherman has promised the troops rest and pay. The President sent an order highly praising this army and Grant done the same. Now if he will take Richmond, the rebs will be hard up but don't know whether they would give it up or not. If not, we with a rested and reinforced army, will pitch into them in about a month. They say they have raised as many men as they can.

I sincerely hope and pray that the war may end without another campaign. If not we shall have a large army of conscripts to help us. How did the draft work up there? Was there anyone that I knew drafted? I hope the draft has not been postponed this time. If it is put through it will be a damper to rebellion. Do you get any news from the east?

Now my dear I still love you and it has not been my fault if it has been some time since you got a letter, nor neither do I blame you, as the mail come to this army was stopped at Marietta and we could not send any out. I knew what the matter was and you perhaps did not, therefore it has been the cause of some anxiety to both of us and this is such a long one it will pay for 2 or 3 if you don't' get tired of reading it. How do you get along? Don't you have it very hard. Be as careful as you can. Don't work too hard. How does the little ones get along? I would like to get ahold of you all. Kiss them for Pa. Tell them he is well and loves them and prays for them and wants them to be good and pray for him. Joe wrote to Julia that we wanted her and you and Ann and Em and Sharps folks to fix a firkin of butter to send to us. Tell Mother and Julianna to put in some with you all the S wives and mothers but Crumb. We will let you know when to send it. Write soon and pray for your affectionate husband.

C.T. Ackley to E D Ackley

He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife,

Last night I received a good lot of kind and valuable letters. Three from you which are the most welcome things I have had for about a month, and I got one from Alonzo and one from Willis Ackley in answer to mine I sent to Aunt Sally. He wrote at her request. The folks are well. It was mailed Sept 1st. Your mother and grandfather were well. Erastus had been severely wounded in the face near Petersburgh, and it had been four weeks since they had heard from him. I guess I will send it to you and you can read what it says quicker than I can write it. I also got a lot of stamps. Thanks to my kind wife I shall have no excuse in not writing to her every opportunity when she is so mindful and kind in furnishing paper and envelopes, stamps, but the long pull that I did not send was not in any way my fault as this army could (not?) send mail, but the first chance I sent a big one. You will have to rest before you get it read.

We are in camp and expect to stay a month but have heard rumors that Sherman had orders to start at once for the enemy. Don't know as it is so and we also hear that there is an armistice of 10 days and that the draft had been postponed 10 days. Don't know the facts of either case, but hope all will be done for the best toward the ending of the war. You think the order for 500,000 more men does not look like my coming home or the war ending very soon, but here we think different. If Grant had 1 or 200,000 more he could flank and whip the rebs in Virginia as quick as he was a mind to and 100,000 here would help us amazingly, not that we are not enough for them but we have been marching and fighting ever since the 29th of April.

Have marched over 400 miles, over almost impassible mountains and impenetrable forest and the most of the way was disputed by an enemy, but hill or dale, rock or river, rain or heat did (not?) hinder our driving and whipping them at all points and taking from (them) their greatest city on the account of the large manufacturing establishments, the largest of which covering an acre of ground and for making arms and ammunition and gunboat irons was destroyed by the rebs.

The arms and ammunition destroyed by them or captured was far in excess of any other campaign of the war. It is said this city was capable of making more arms and ammunition than any other city in the world, but it is fallen notwithstanding all its boasted strength. The works are the strongest by far that I have seen and so confident were they that the Yanks would not be able to take the city, that neglecting the warnings of General Sherman for the women and children to leave in a certain time or suffer the effects of Lincoln powder, many remained and some were killed and some wounded. There is some with both legs taken off. They dug holes in their yards and covered them with logs and plank and threw the dirt on to protect them. The city is full of such holes.

I have been up there once. It is 5 or 6 miles. I am the only one in the company that has been there, except some that have been sick in the hospitals. Captain, now Major, Mahon sent me up there to get a cord and tassels from the color sergeant belonging to the regimental colors. He was wounded and in the hospital and was going home on furlough. Since he has been away I have to carry the colors and expect to till he gets back.

It is much easier to do than to have a gun to carry and keep in order. Hoysington that went home on the Cedar on furlough got back here as soon as I got your letter. He said he saw Elder Inman. The weather is quite cool now and if we go on another campaign I guess it will not be quite as hot as heretofore. But I hope we may get rest awhile, yet I am ready to go if it is for the best, but I feel as much like going as I have at any time on this campaign.


I am very sorry that the little pet is sick. Be very careful of him and of yourself and the other precious ones. I am glad the kisses are always ready for pa and he would like to get a chance to take them at the source but must wait awhile, but I live in hopes that the time may soon come. I will try to trust in the Lord who doeth all things well and in his own good time. It will come around. Surely we can see the hand of One higher than we are administrating to our needs I expect to get pay soon and then you can come out of the kinks a little. There has some sutters come to the other regiments and the tobacco trade has played out with me on that account. I have only got $5.00 in debt to ours, and the boys in the company owe me more than that and I have $1.50 of his tickets, just as good as the money to pay the debts to him or to get anything from him. I only got tobacco of him twice till his was gone, but bought the most of teamsters and peddlers.

This letter will not go till tomorrow. The mail goes out at 11:30 and this morning at 8 we had to go on inspection and before that was over the mail had gone and I had not time to write. All I have to do is put the colors out in front of headquarters in the morn and at 5:30 p.m. we have to go on dress parade which takes about one, hour then I carry the colors after parade, roll it up, and put it in the adjutants tents, but I cook most of the meat for Egbert, Jud, Job, and C.T.A. and they fetch most of the water.

We expect if we stay here that we will have soft bread soon, as they are working on an oven. There is a mill within 1/2 mile of camp and some grain there. Uncle Sam is running the mill and will appropriate all the grain that can be found, but it is scarce here, but out of the track of the armies there may be more, but where the army goes, they take wheat and corn just as they can get for the horses and mules.

I have not got the paper you sent last but guess it will come soon. The latest from you was mailed Aug 20th and Wilis's Sep 1st. Looked for some more mail today but failed to get any. None from Marble Rock for any of us. The people there are dying off more according to their number than here in the army. The health of the army is good but they are somewhat worn down and tired out. Sours is not quite well but is getting along (Hi Clay is always grunting-private - and I guess Martha is the same). Crumb is not very well but he came from the hospital a day or so ago.

Your husband has stood it about as well as the best of them and carried about as big a load. In fact my knapsack was rather large, but I hated to throw anything away. A short time ago I threw away an old pair of pants. If I could have carried them till I had a chance I would have sent two pair of them home and them with a pair I have got would make Elburn a good pair. If I can I shall send some things home. The laugh of the boys will - if they do laugh - not hurt me and I don't care for it, if my family can be benefitted. I don't know whether I can send things home from here or not. When they get settled I shall try it.

I must bring this letter to a close as it is long and most dress parade time. I wish you could get Sprage to fix the house. Tell him if he wants to be a friend to the widow and fatherless he will help you and besides you will pay him and I will feel grateful to him and he will be doing his duty and showing his patriotism. Get him if possible.

Accept my heart's love and love to the dear children. Kiss them for me. Tell them to be good and pray for pa. Tell Em to growl for pa. Will he say pa's boy. Write soon and ever pray for your husband.

C.T. Ackley


He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife,
Once more I am seated to write you a few lines. I am well at this date. Jud is better and is on guard today. Sours is most well. Crumb is getting along, but private-Clay is grunting as usual. I have got so I hate to ask him how he is getting along. He has more ailing him than anyone I ever saw. I guess his wife is just like him and they both write discouraging letters to each other. This must not keep you or hinder from writing all the news good or bad as you know I am apt to look on the bright side of things and it will not discourage me to have you write both good and bad, which you will oblige me by doing. Ever remembering that I love you with all my heart and pray that the time may soon come when a kind parent will permit me to return to you when writing will be in the shade. And now I will try to answer your questions and letters in detail commencing with one mailed Aug 2nd. What did you get for the New York bill? I wrote that I had not got the last paper that you sent, but I had it some time. It had been so long I had forgotten how things was, but I have it. You need not be so particular about getting smaller paper as I can wrap a newspaper around this and lay it in my portfolio. It is just about as large as the portfolio. Send that is the handiest to you if you can. Send to the falls and get a ream. Twenty quires make a ream. I shall not sell any of this paper unless someone wants a sheet or two of large paper, but I sold a few stamps to men who had none and I have lent some. I got some stamps in the tobacco trade. I had 5 or 6 when I got them you sent. There was a good lot in each letter and did not find them in this stack of papers for a day or 2 and I don't know how many I got. Between 20-40. It will last some time.

I can get bottles but don't know as it will pay to send Camphor. Have not much headache or choke. Have had some diarrhea but black pepper will cure that on me about every time and we get it most every time we draw rations and I have kept it in my pocket most of the time. Do as you think best about the P. office. If Sprague would only write to me I would write him such a letter that he would fix that house. I don't see why he can't as well as to go to Nashville to work for better board. Don't you think so. Don't be afraid to talk up to him. You must lay it to me. Tell him I say he must fix it and no excuse will satisfy me...you or the cause of my benevolence, humanity or justice. He will get his pay for Uncle Sam is going to distribute the g backs soon. The children may not have as good a chance to go to school, but then they will not learn as much wickedness, and when I get home I will try to educate them some way, and I thought Johnson did not want to give it up. I guess doc can live with Christina a great deal better than you can. Your position is a hard one but, as you say, the Lord's eye is upon you and he will take care. Oh! That we would place our whole trust in him and rely wholly on his mercies and do our duty before him, but I hope you won't be sick. Perhaps Gabe was not to blame but I almost think he is as I have seen him before. Ask him, if you ever say anything to him, how he expects you are to support you and three children if crops are poor and hay scarce and I getting no pay as I have not yet, but the boys here and in other towns say they all fare alike, but I don't know but it is the language of all the boys that when they get home there will be some new officers in Floyd County at least. Will the sow make pork enough for you? How does your old pork hold out? Is the pig a sow? If not tell Julina to have Martin fix it. Do the heifers look as much alike as they did? Are they nice ones? Have your calves come to light yet? Give Mary a little scolding, if you write to her, for not writing, and tell her to write to me and have J and Lucy to write. I have answered Willis' letter and Lou's. We got the receipt for the payment of the express fees on that box and sent it to Woolsey when we were at Roswel. Give John Sarah and all a good scolding for not writing to me and you. I have written to John and no answer. I am glad if you have grain enough to eat and sow. Does not Martin want the land next year? If he does try to get him to plow the buck wheat.





He wrote the following letter²¹ [this is part of a letter.....it apprears to have been written the 18th of Sept. because there is an addition dated Sep 19 and he speaks of not getting the letter ready to be mailed "yesterday"....]

Men were being starved and gen Rice said they should have enough to eat and the things was looked into. It was found that Capt Palmer has smuggled us out of 20,000 dollars in rations and he was arrested and I heard put in irons. He ought to be that. Many boys would like the job. He was an eastern man. We drew rations today and got as much sugar as we did the last time we drew and then we drew for 5 days and coffee and the usual amount of the hard tack 1 lb a day and beans and rice. I had just as lives have this large. I have got used to it so that I can carry it handy.
When you get paper if you have the money get a lot of envelopes and send about a quire. It will last me nearly a month and I wish I was where I could take the cunning kisses. The precious ones do they talk much of pa? You need not trouble yourself about socks for me as I have never drawn but two pair and let Jud have one and he is to draw me another and the 2ed pair I drew yesterday and them old thick ones. I think the 3 pair will last me all winter. Some of this was written in the dark--now by candle light--and if you keep all the toes all covered at home you will do well. The army socks are not first rate but don't cost only about 3 shillings.
What did your folks= sheep do this summer and what is wool worth? The third letter mailed Aug 20th comes next. A nice long good letter. Your skunk fight was quite an affair. They quit coming after chickens if they come yet can't you trap and shut the hens up and tie the dog and set the trap door and perhaps you may catch the scamps. Have you got rid of the smell? How do you get along and is the little pet well of his trots? Be very careful of them and not let them eat too much trash and you the same.

I only paid 3 cts postage on the cap. Did you pay any more? I think I can get hold of some old clothes that will make good clothes for the children. If there is a chance to send them and they will let me do it I have a pair of Sesch drawers that are good and an old pair like the ones I had last winter. I yesterday drew 2 pair of cotton drawers and 2 shirts and shall try to send the most of them home if I can. The shirts that I had at home will last a long time yet. They have no holes in them unless rips and I can sew them up. Am not afraid of the laugh if can get anything to keep you comfortable and if I send a box shall try to send some coffee.

Has the sty got well? There has been no bad diseases since we have been on the campaign. Was some small pox at Pulaski last winter. I should like the good night in the way you wrote but the Lord's will be done he will bring it around in his own good time. Let us put our whole trust in him. Good night dear ones. I can't write my feelings but send you my hearts love and pray that God will be very kind and merciful. Pray for us all and a speedy end to the war in an honorable way. You have done well selling butter. It is worth 45 government price.

What do you think of helping to fill our firkin? I think I will try and make arrangement with Collins agent of the Western Sanitary Commission and have it sent in the care of N A. the smart (?) you wrote about. Don't work too hard any day if you can help it. How are the sick in town? Is there any more? Try to get some time and get the old shanty daubed if you can. What sort of a woman is Johnson's wife? I have heard they both liked whiskey. Do you think it is so? The little dear N & E to go after the cows. Poor little tired boy. If pa was there tell him he would not have to go after them and do a great many other things that they and ma has to do now. Where does S. Cline live this year?


This is pretty long and if I have time I will make it longer. We had inspection at 9 this morn and it was rainy and we did not get up very early and things was wet and it took sometime to get our breakfast. I am almost afraid I will be late with it but want to tell you what I have to do. Put the colors out in front of headquarters in the morn when it is fair and at 5 1/2 dress parade then have to carry the flag out. The whole regiment get in a line into rank -----like thus and the colors then exercise with their guns a little then read orders if there is any new ones then dismiss us. Then I roll up the colors and hang them up in the adjutants tent. On Inspection the same way but it take 1 1/2 hour to inspect the arms and dress parade 1/2 hour. First thing in the morn clean up around the quarters then breakfast then the men clean the guns and I tend to the flag. Yesterday sewed it up where it was torn charging through the brush. It is a nice flag with Belmont Fort Donaldson Iuka Corrinth & Siege of Corrinth and is entitled to several more now. Then have nothing to do till dress parade again but tomorrow they are going to drill company drill from 9 till 10 battalion 2 to 3 p.m. I shall not have to drill company drill but battalion and have to go.

Do you see I do not have very hard but cooking meat and coffee takes some time with no conveniences and it is not home and I cannot see the faces of my loved ones but I can write to them and get letters in return. That is more than some can do. There is many in the army that can't write and some have not the kind loving family that I have who I always know are thinking of me and ever remember me in their prayers. Pray for me loved ones and in gods good time I will be with you. As I write I hear that Mobile is ours and gold has fallen 100 per cent which looks good in our favor and a few days ago Sherman and all our big officers the reb officers met under a flag of truce near Jonesbora and we have heard that they agreed upon an armistice of 40 days. Don't hardly believe it but it may be so if something is up since we have been here. Some 20 of Killpatricks men went out and only part of them returned and they went out to look for them and found 8 or ten of them killed. All but one shot through the head and he was shot in the neck. Good evidence that they must have been taken prisoners then they were murdered.

Sep 19th

All well this morn. I was too late to get this in yesterday and I thought I would write some this morn. I got a letter from Jim Gifford. They was all well the 19th but Emeling Brougham had lost her youngest child and Ben's oldest sick and Charles Kenyon has lost his right arm from hurts at the battle of the wilderness and Sam Ackley was taken prisoner. They say you wrote recently and bragged of your fat boy. But they say he would be a rouser if his pa was there to hoist around and handle him. What you think? It has been dry there and crops are light but I will try to send it to you in the next letter. This is too large. Capt Reinnerger starts for home this morning. I have just bid him good bye. After he gets home if you get a chance to go over there you must see him and he will tell you all about me and maybe tell you some news. Don't be bashful but ask him all the questions you can think of if it takes a half a day. He says he is going to make it his especial business to attend to the doings of the supervisors.

Now good bye my love. My pen is getting poor. Don't know as you can read this. Write as soon as you can and all the news. Give my respects to all who deign to enquire but the love of my heart is yours and the little ones. Tell pa is glad they are good and wants them to keep being good and learn to pray for me. Write soon and remember in your prayers. Your affectionate husband.

C.T. Ackley

The envelope may surprise you for it is a reb. Got 2 at Fairburn Aug 29th. Love to you.

He wrote the following letter²¹ Another very welcome letter from my dear wife. Am sorry to hear some of my dear family have been sick, but feel to thank the good Lord for his mercy in raising them and restoring them to health again. Tell Nora pa is sorry she has been so sick and he wishes he had been there to help ma take care of her, but I have been and will still pray for her. It is so sickly there. You must be very careful of yourself and the little ones. Don't let them eat too much trash, and if there is any sign of diarrhea, give them spiced tea or camphor or something else that will check it as soon as possible. I have written so much today I have run almost ashore for anything to write. Wrote some to you and a letter to Jim's folks and two for a man that can't write and in one day is considerable, but the 3 were not any longer than the one I sent to you today. Your letter I will now try to answer. I found 3 stamps in it and the sheet of paper. Thanks dearest, although I am not quite out. Poor Nora. I am sorry for her. Did she cry much and was she good to take medicine? Is she well now? You spelt it so that I know what it is though it is not quite the right way to spell Jrhgsie. No matter, that young boy wants fetching down a peg or 2, does he not? Does he show spunk much if you punish him? It is the most sickly it ever was there. Sours got a letter Sept. 3 that most of Rex's folks and Mr. Clark was very sick. I don't think [I] will read this in the morn, but Burt is writing and I thought I would make good use of the candle and try to write some every day. The dog medicine came in play good. How is he now? Do you think Inman's medicine [will] cure Nora? Be careful and not let the diarrhea get the start of you.

I shall try to get home before that corn is gone to help you eat some of it. Do not work too hard. Is Mrs. Joe Inman sociable and neighborly? I got up twice in the night last night but have not had to go since I put plenty of pepper on my food. Yes, my dear, the Lord is continually watching us, and it is his power that protects and preserves us and we should be very thankful to him and try to do his will and trust his promises. Hooker was relieved of his command here as he was wanted in the East, do not know where he is but guess he will not resign as long as there is a chance to fight the enemy of his country. I see some generals most every day. Captain Samuel Mahon has got the commission of major of the 7th. We expect Lieut. Col. Parrot will be here to command the regiment. I can find no fault with him, only he drinks sometimes; so does Major Mahon, but I can get along with Mahon and guess all that want to do their duty and be good soldiers [can], but he is very strict. No, privates have no voice in choosing their officers, and the governor gives them a commission.

Tell Johnson that it is wrong to send out mail to CC as mail that goes there takes longer than to go the other way. It will not be too much trouble to send things if they will allow me to send things. Don't know how it is yet. The cap I sent cost me nothing. Don't know as I can get any more as cheap. I have visited you several times in my dreams but did not know as I did the night you speak of or that I told you I was color bearer, but I am. But it is no office, but the most honorable post a private can occupy. As to being an officer, Lieut or Captain, I am not fit for that, and the old boys think they have the first chance and the officers seem to think so too, but I am all right. Never failed to do my duty and never was reprimanded in the least.

I don't know as any of the little ones will know me when I get home or you either. But I guess you and they will soon find me out. I am not ashamed of your letter. Don't care how they look if they only come often and bring news from the loved ones at home. Will Jo Baker's letter make a peace man of father or Joe?

I am a peace man but only by the vindication of the old flag and the bringing traitors and rebels to terms or death. I, with most true men and soldiers, go for honest old Abe and Andy. It's no more than we expect of Joe and all cowards. It is for the safety of the officers to end the war. They have left homes and friends and their lives are as much in danger [as] a private's in this army. On this campaign we have lost more officers in proportion than privates from high too. We lost one of the best generals the US could boast of, McPherson and other generals, colonels, majors, captains, and all others and have heard that our Gen. Dodge, one of the best of generals, was dead, was wounded on the picket line in front of Atlanta and went home. Hope it is not so. Good night, my dear ones. It is time for bed.

He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife, you will look in vain for several days for this letter before you get it, but it is not my fault as the next day after I commenced, we had orders to be ready to march at 6 AM and leave our knapsacks and that probably we would come back in a day or two and left all that were not well to watch the things. We came to Atlanta and went to work clearing off ground for a hospital and putting up tents. Was kept there till the 26th. On the 25th at 8 PM we had orders to be ready at 8 in the morn and we would take the cars at 9 for Rome, but we fooled around till 3 PM. We got on the cars and started back. We was on the cars all night and till 8 yesterday morn. We are encamped about 1 mile from Rome. Don=t know anything about what we are going to do but expect to stay here a spell. It is a nice little town, larger than Oneonta, and a large hospital. I am well and most of the boys the same. Clay was left in the old camp, not very well.

We are about 75 miles from Atlanta, 20 miles from Kingston, where we was camped a few days last summer. We signed the pay roll Sunday and perhaps would [have] had our pay if all had not been ordered from Atlanta, but I guess we will soon know as the troops here have been paid. If I can get 30 days furlough, had I better come home? I could stay about 10 days with you and it would cost me 50 or 60 dollars. I do want to see you, but it is taking money you ought to have to make you comfortable. There is an order issued that 5 per cent of the regiment can be furloughed at a time. It would give 2 or 3 at a time. If I go, shall not till the 2nd batch which will be the 1st of November. Write soon and continue to pray for your humble but affectionate

C.T. Ackley


He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife,

I will try to write you a few lines. I am well and hope and pray that this will find you blessed with the same manner. I have been in hopes of getting another letter from you by this time, but not yet got any since the one that brought the painful news of the sickness of the dear little pet. There must be letters on the way that ought to have been here before this time and it seems hard to bear the suspense, although the next letter may bring worse news. Write my dear all as soon as you can after getting this and tell me all the particulars, but I expect you have written to me. Oh my dear I can't make it seem as if the little precious one had gone, if he had never to return. Let us try to be prepared to go to him when we are called to leave this world. It is lowery and rains some every day. We have got some tents but have not got ours up yet. Use our rubbers for roofs yet. We moved our camp yesterday about 1/4 mile. We was in a rather low ground and now are on good dry ground, with water handy. Most men think we are going to stay here all winter, but no one can tell.

It looks as if there would not be another campaign and we all hope there will not. We have heard that Jeff(erson Davis) has sent in propositions for peace and I guess it is so, and if it is equal to saying he was whipped and was nearly ready to quit on any terms. Sheridan has been whipping them in Virginia very bad. We look for great news from Grant soon. If he takes Richmond before election Old Abe will be the next President and if so I think there will be but a little more fighting.
Rome Oct 9th

My dear wife you will find this letter has been some time being written and in the first place I will explain. When I commenced it I had just sent you a letter and thought I would not try to finish this for 2 or 3 days and perhaps I would get another from you, but have not up to this date. The 3rd and 4th of this month we was busy getting lumber to fix us shanty and the evening of the 4th we had orders to pack up and be ready to move at 7 p.m. with our knapsacks, our blanket, and 3 days rations in our haversacks and we got ready to go. No one could tell where but it was rumored that the rebs were making a raid on the railroad at some place. After 7 we were ordered to lay down and be ready to fall in at a moment's notice. We lay till morn without being awaked and then we got our breakfast and soon orders came to be ready in half an hour.

We left camp at 9 and went to town and staid there till noon then we heard we were bound for Altoona, a station of the railroad 35 or 40 miles southeast of here towards Atlanta, and the reason we did not go the night before, the train that was coming after us was a long one, and they put an engine in front of it and one in the rear, and the train being empty and the road very crooked, they came pretty fast and in running round a curve the rear engine pushed rather hard and threw the center cars off the track and smashed the train generally, and we went to town in the morn and we stayed there till noon. Then we took the cars and rode till we came to the place where the train was smashed up and we got off and walked past that train and there was another train waiting for us. They took us within 3 miles of Altoona and then we took it on foot. There we heard that there was fighting in Altoona. It was nearly dark when we got off the cars and very muddy. We marched pretty fast part of the way on the railroad track and part on the road. We soon found that the rebs were whipped at Altoona and when we got within 1 mile, we began to find dead rebs laying by the side of the railroad.


It is very rough and a deep cut in the railroad and forts on the hill, but only one fort was well manned. We marched on into the town and it was dark and rainy, but were ordered to go to work building breastworks. One company at a time built in front of themselves. Our company did not get tools till morn and then it rained very hard, but we worked with our rubbers (ponchos) around us. We did not get much sleep. We had to talk some with those that had been in the fight and it was expected by some that the rebs would come again that night or in the morn and each man laid down in his place closest his gun. I laid my rubber on the ground and laid on that using haversack for a pillow till it rained so hard. I took it and rolled in my blankets with a stone under my head and I had very good sleep but could not keep my mind from home and dear ones.

In the morn I went over the battle ground partly and beheld a most horrible sight. Men cut and maimed, killed and wounded all around, and during the night we could hear the groans of the wounded. One wounded reb lay in the ditch within 30 feet of Company B and dead ones as near. I have been over many battlefields, but the men were laying thicker than I ever saw them to be and, exception in a small compass around the fort, the number of rebs greatly pre-dominated, and in the ditches where the 39th Iowa fought. Rebs and union men were mixed together. The rebs had 8,000 and there was not over 2,000 of our men there in time of the fight. The rebs charged them and the 39th stood until there was some bayoneted in the ditch and their color sergeant killed and the colors captured. Then they fell back into the fort and the reb lines extended on three sides of them. General Corse left here at the first and he was wounded in the side of his face and a part of his ear was cut off and after this the Col that was in command talked of surrendering. Some of the orderlies told the general and he came out and told them never to surrender as long as there was a man left and the rebs were finally driven back. The fight commenced at 10 in the morn and lasted till 4 p.m. and we got there about 7. If the cars had not run off the track we would have got there bout noon as the battle was the hottest and if we had we should have come in behind the rebs and there would not many of them got away. The rebs loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners amounted from 1500 to 2000, and many of their wounded escaped. Our loss from 500 to 800. We staid there 3 nights then marched back. The high water had injured the rail bridges so that we had to march back. It took us part of three days. We got back the 9th.

Oct 11

Dear I am still blessed with good health and pray that this letter will find all of my dear family enjoying the same blessing. It was a month yesterday since the last letter I got from you was mailed and it has been the longest month and I have had the most anxiety of all the time I have been absent. There has been no mail clear through for 2 weeks. The rebs interfere some with the road and the high water has carried away some bridges. It is clear and pleasant for 3 days and we have had frosts 3 nights. If the mail goes out today I shall send this. It is expected the rebs will give us a try. There is some excitement, and for 24 hours we have been building works. Sherman sent word to Corse if the rebs crossed the river away from here and did not attack him/us, let them go north as the farther we went north the better. Sherman is following them up. There is not as much excitement as yesterday. I guess the rebs will not attack us here. If they do they will find us ready.

Write as soon, as often as you can. Accept my heart's love and prayers. Pray for your affectionate husband.
C.T. Ackley

Tell the dear children Pa loves them, is glad they are good, and wants them to be good all the time. Kiss them for me. Love you all. Tell them to pray for Pa, and Pa will pray for them.




He wrote the following letter²¹ I will try, my dear wife, to write you a few lines this Sabbath afternoon although I have no news of much import. We have had a visit from A.J. Asper; he is well and hearty. He came day before yesterday and went back last night. He went to town and was going out on the train this morn. He came from Marietta. The hospitals are all moved from there, and he brought the stores of the commission to Rome, and he is now going to Atlanta. They have an office there. He got his pay some time ago. John Parrish left here last night for town to take the cars for home as his time is out.

I sent a new shirt and a new pair of drawers that had never been worn at all by him, and Asper sent some money by him also, and he has written to Tina to have Woolsey go over and get [it] when he gets home, and you must. If you can see any of them, send for the shirt and drawers by the one who goes after the money. They are cotton flannel drawers, and the shirt is some like them that I wore home, only darker colored. The shirt is marked with ink a large A on one side of the collar and the drawers CTA on or near the waistband. I wanted to get pay very bad before he went, but the rebs are scalahooting around and around and tearing up the road [so] that it is not safe for a paymaster to go from one place to another with the money.

Now, my dear, the last letter I wrote to you, I did not write as much to you concerning the project you had in view as Asper came, and so many came in to see him, I could not write much and the mail goes out at 2 8 in the morn, and I wanted it to go the first mail. I partly think it would be better for you to go there to live if you don=t get the school. I guess you can get a certificate if you review the books a little. If you live there without teaching, you will get some time to rest and visit, but if you get the school, you will be closely confined most of the time. Do you think you could stand it to teach and take care of the children? Nora is large enough to go to school, and I don=t know but Elburn is if he would not be so familiar that he would bother to be kept still, but he is also old as lots of children. If it would work, you would not have to wade the snow as you will if you stay at home, and it would not be near as hard for you. What is your plan with the stock? If the cows don=t come in till fall, they will give milk all winter and maybe you could manage to take one of them with you. The milk would be worth so much this winter. Won=t Martin or Gideon take care of the stock without charging too much? If not, you had better sell some of them, but I hate to have them sold. But better that than to prevent your going where you will not have so much outdoor work. Gideon could do it handier on the account of water. If Martin would take care of them, he could draw straw enough from there to make a stable for them to run in to cold weather, and it would not be very much to draw the hay over there. Toward spring when the straw is gone, maybe you could get the privilege of some straw of Sprague and buy a little hay of someone over there if you take a cow along. And Sprague has a good place for stock. What will he charge you for the use of the house if you don=t get the school? When you go to get a certificate, get Sprague to go along with you as he is acquainted with the superintendent and maybe you will be more apt to get it. How many scholars do they have there?

25th. Dear Wife, you will think I am a long time writing this letter. So I am, but it is a lone one and I have been in hopes of getting a letter from someone before I sent this, but I guess I shan=t, for I want to send it in the morn. The regiment went out yesterday on a march with 3 days= rations. They crossed the Paslavanla and took the Cedar Bluff Road down the Coosa, and I guess they went to guard a train of supplies to the main army, which is west of us somewhere chasing Hood back south. Sherman sent a lot of teams here for provisions, and I guess the 7th went to guard them back. Hood=s northern raid did not amount to much, and he soon was glad to make tracks south with Sherman at his heels.


I was not very well yesterday, and they left me in camp. It is the first time the regiment has moved without me since I have been with it. I hated to be left but thought it was better than to fall out on the road. Sours started and he has had the rheumatism lately and his leg gave out and he came back. Clay and Job are here. They were on picket and were not relieved till the rest had and there is several more here. The weather is pleasant but the nights are quite cold and frosty. We do not hear any news lately. I expect you hear more from Grant than we do. I guess you have seen Capt. Reinniger as I heard you was over there the day he got home and some of the women saw him. What did he say about your unworthy husband? Did he say anything B and was it good or bad?

Sam Folsom is sick and in the hospital, and I guess he will go home soon but don=t know as he will come there. They are going to send the sick and wounded home as fast as they are able to go. It is a first rate plan, don=t you think so?

Now, my dear, you must write as soon as you get this and let me know how your project succeeded and what the prospect is of your going to Sprague=s to live. I don=t think you could content yourself to leave one of the children and board around. Tell the dear little ones that pa loves them very much and wants them to be good children and pray for ma and pa and themselves and help ma all they can. And if you get the school, tell them pa wants them to be good and try to learn to read so that they can read for pa when he gets home. My dear, I love you with all my heart and would like above all things to see you but can=t for a season, and let us pray that the Lord will hasten the time that healthy peace will spread the land and [that] I with others may return to our families and that we may receive daily that strength which alone can sustain us through the sore trials of this life, that at least we may come to conquer through Christ.

I wrote to Sprague some time ago and don=t see why he doesn=t answer it My dear, do you want me to get any pictures taken to send to you? If you do, when I get my pay, I will. The other boys talk of getting some if we are where we can, but I don=t know as any more pictures will do you any good as you have some. Get yours and the children=s when you can, but you need not send them to me till I tell you to as some of the pictures that the boys carry in their pockets have been spoiled, and I don=t want you to pay money and let me lose it, although I should like the pictures very much but don=t know as it is advisable. How does Julina and her girl get along? Are they smart? Is the girl a big one? How is Mrs. Baker and her little one? Is it a boy or a girl? Have they caught Abe Johnson yet? Is Lynne Hood coming here?

Now, my dear, I send my love to you. Must write an answer to this as soon as you can. Good bye. And pray for your affectionate husband

C.T. Ackley

He wrote the following letter²¹ (This letter has no date and no address, so must be a partial one. Since it is after being in Atlanta, it likely was written in fall of 1864.)







...The boys have lit a candle and the mail does not go out till morn. I will try and write a little more. The pain in my breast began while at Atlanta and I smoked there one day till I was pretty drunk. I wanted to give the pipe to a man about 10 feet off and I staggered so I could hardly get to him and oh how sick I was. I went back to a privy and parked like a good fellow and physicked too. I had felt bad a day or two and after this I felt a great deal better and now I smoke most every night and it makes me sick some. I can't always get good smoking tobacco but Folsom's darkey let me have some last night.

Ain't you afraid you will soon have a smoker for a husband? It may bother me some but if it will help that pain and I think it does and it was first ordered for me by my loved and loving wife, so that I guess she won't scold me much but hope she will write just what you think. It is not as bad as it was. I guess I will leave it off when the pain leaves me, if it does not get a firm a hold on me, and I don't like it yet. I have not got me a pipe yet, but I guess I shall not bother to borrow.

I guess Bill Wagner was pretty mad to be accused of stealing, but it is right and the meanest kind of stealing to steal a dog, and from a helpless woman whose husband is periling his life and neglecting his family that Bill may have a home and a good government and laws to protect him, his family, and property, while it gives him a chance to stay home and enjoy himself as best such men can, without lifting a finger to sustain that government.

It shows very little patriotism for a man that will steal from or do anything else. To trouble and bother a S wife is at heart a traitor. Joe says if you can prove that Bill tied up the dog or tried to keep him or coax him away, you could get what those that knew the dog thought he was worth, but he was worth more to you than anyone else, if he would stay, as you need a dog to keep cattle away and protect the hens and geese, but don't think it will pay to sue him, but it will do him some good to tell him of it once in a while, and I don't think I ever owed Bill a cent.

I always settled with Wash and has been 4 years since any sawing was done and when I settled with Wash he said, as my house had burned, he would throw in all he had done. You know I paid the note they had against me when I sold the oxen and if I did owe him it would looked better for him to have spoken to me and not waited till I had gone to then steal from my wife to get pay.

He or anyone else can't collect a cent of you and if I do owe him I would paid it, if I had known it, and will when I get home. Don't you pay him and tell him as much of this as you see fit. The latter part anyway.

Good bye my love and lonely and much loved wife, from your loving husband

C. T. Ackley.


He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear and much loved wife,

With delight I received a very welcome letter from you last night. I feel to thank God to hear that he is still blessing you with good health. I was also glad that you succeeded so well at the Institute and was considerably vexed that Sprague had so completely shown their friendship. What was the cause of their using you so mean, for it was the meanest kind of trick, meaner than any one that pretends to be a man would serve on another man. But come to Brothers and Sisters in the church, then, to think of the only war widow in that church, then to make her fair promises, which causes her to spend much time and strength and the spending of money that must be very scarce with her and she is in need of many things makes the thing look very small in my eyes. They certainly can have no honorable reason to disappoint you in that manner as you think they have. Sprague had promised you the room, agreed to furnish you wood, and Henry had promised you the school if you got a Certificate; now to back out in that way looks as if the word of any of them was of little account. They knew it was so late you could not get another school this winter if you wanted to. I had high hopes of your having a warmer house and near neighbors this winter. But you had been so long without an opportunity to look at school books, I had some fears you would not get a certificate. That was the only thing I could see in your way, and that was overcome, and then they had only been deceiving you.

You may think I write too much about it, and perhaps I do, but I can=t help it. But it is all for the best. Let them work. It seems strange to get a letter and not hear of the precious children. But you were so anxious to see them (as I to you nearly). How did they get along while their dear ma was gone? I did not mean to be understood in my letter that I could get a furlough, but they were going to furlough 1/20th of the troops at a time, and I did not know but I might be one to get one. But it has played out now as I expect to go on another campaign soon. But I will guess we will get pay before we leave. They will pay in bonds that are drawing interest, and we can send them by mail and they can be sold to merchants and bankers. You will have to sign them over to someone else if you get any.

You must have had a good time with Capt. Reinniger and Lieut. Hawks. But I will make it all right when I get home. Did Capt. tell you anything bad about your soldier husband? What did he say? What kind of a soldier did he say he was? Tell Leanora and Elburn pa loves them very much and will come home as quick as I can. They must love and pray for me and ma and help ma all they can and be good all the time. The election will soon come off and I think it will have some influence on the war, and things look favorable. Sheridan is whipping the rebs in the East, and Price has been badly whipped in Missouri. The rebs are losing all around and will have to give in before long if old Abe is elected. This letter will not go until tomorrow, and I will try and write some more. Smiley is here. I see him often [but] have not for several days. She was very clever. Write as soon as you can and tell me what you are going to do. Will you try to get another school? Maybe you could get Anthony Clay=s brother-in-law to fix the house or get Hiscox to plaster it outside and in if you can get time. Had Sprague got a letter from me, I answered his a long time ago and am in a hurry to get another from him, and then I will give him a touch that I think he will feel. I think I will stop. Pray for me and remember that I still love you with all my poor weak heart.

7th. Nothing new to write, only another tale of love. I still love you with all my heart. Kiss the children for me. In your last letter was 2 envelopes and 6 postage stamps. Thanks, dearest. I have not got entirely well yet. They don=t have me do anything yet; am threatened with Jaundice. I am around and go where I please. The other boys are pretty well. Write as soon as possible and ever pray for your absent but loving husband. My respects to all who inquire.
C.T. Ackley




He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Beloved Wife,

I will try to write you a few lines. There is considerable excitement here about elections as it is election here and there and all over the country and the fate of the country depends in a very large measure on the results of this election. If Lincoln is elected, there will be a substantial peace and a union of this whole country, and if Mc [Gen. George B. McClellan, Democratic opponent] is elected, perhaps disunion and no substantial peace. God only knows. But I think there is not much chance for the little general.
We drew our pay yesterday. I drew $184.30 and I think I shall send $175 or so home. Don't know yet how we shall send it. I shall send some in letters, I guess, some in this enough to get you some shoes. I shall get it all home as soon as possible. Joe Frost paid me $5.00 on the town bounty on Peter Halsted's account which I expected he would pay at Davenport but did not. The most of our pay is in interest drawing notes, some compound interest and compounded every six months and some coupons which draw 7 3/10 per cent interest, payable every 6 months. I think I shall send a 50.00 coupon, and if you want to keep that amount on hand for any emergency and don't have to spend it, it would be a good one to keep as it is not taxable for anything and the interest payable every 6 months. This is only a suggestion. You can do as you think best. These different notes can be used the same as any other green backs. If you get $50 dollar ones, perhaps Hi can change one of them. If not, you can send them to the Falls [Perhaps Cedar Falls] or St. Charles [Charles City?] as you may wish to use it. There are 2 months pay due us now, but I think we will not get pay till the year is up, then get another installment of bounty and 2 months pay more.

Smiley has just been here and said the last mail he got from home was mailed Sept. 25th, and therefore the news you wrote was almost a month later than they had got. He said he was glad you had been to meet his wife. He is well and fat; he doesn't look like the same man he did when I saw him when he lived in Iowa, and I guess he is making money pretty fast. He has all he can do at high prices, and he speculates in tobacco and paper and other notions. It is raining, and I don/t know when we shall leave here. I hope not very soon but rain doesn't make any difference with our staying. The paymaster is going back and he offers to take the money that the soldiers want to send, and I think of sending it by him. He will take it to Louisville, Ky, and there express it. We are to put it in an envelope with the directions where we want it sent and he will express it, take the receipts and send them where we say. He is a stranger but is a government officer and has charge of a pile of gov funds and has a guard, and I guess it is the safest way we can send it now as there is no express office here, and we may move from here before we get another chance, and I don't really like to trust it all by mail.

I shall try and send this letter in the morn and when I send the money, I will send another as quick as possible, and when you get the money, you can expend it to suit yourself as I am not afraid to risk you, and I want you to clothe your precious body and also the little ones so to shield them from the cold as much as possible this winter. When you get the whole of the money, you had better send it to the Falls and get a ream of paper. Get good, but not any larger than this 20 quires ream, and also several packages of envelopes and a good lot of pens as in buying a lot you can get them much cheaper and then you will have them on hand for a long time. I don't know yet how much money I shall send home, as much as $175, I think. But may send part of it by mail.

Now, dearest, how did you find all the folks when you got home, the little ones in particular? What did Nora and Elburn say when you got there? Pa wishes he had been there to stay with them while ma was gone. Oh, my dear, I love you very dearly and am in a great hurry to have this war end so that I can clasp my dear family to my bosom once more. They are in my heart.

Now the time goes slower now [that] we are in camp, comparatively [more] idle than when [we were] on the active campaign. Have you found out why Sprague=s folks served you in that way? Why did they not keep the school as they agreed to? What are you going to do? Write all as soon as you can and remember that I love and pray for you. Tell N&E pa sends them lots of love. Kiss them for me. Tell them to be good for pa and pray for us all. It is supper time and I will stop as I shall want to write some in the morn. Good night, dear ones.

Morning. All doing well. I will send you $5.00 in this and 50 cents to each of the children. You can do what you think best with it. [Tell] them pa sent it to them with much love to you all. Good bye. Write soon and ever pray for your absent but affectionate husband

C.T. Ackley

To E.D. Ackley, Marble Rock, Iowa

He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

After over a month, I again resume my pen. The 11th of Nov. we left Rome and have been on the move almost ever since. We have been in our present camp 3 days, the first rest of any account we have [had], and we have marched over 350 miles through the rebel country. I feel very anxious to hear from you, and we expect to get mail soon, and I am also anxious to get you a letter as there has been no communication outside of Sherman=s army, but now they have with Fort Pulaski, and we soon expect mail facilities.
My dear, I am enjoying tolerable health. Have some diarrhea. The boys are all well. Job was slightly wounded the 6th by a spent ball on his right elbow, but he is returned to duty. Now, dear, it has been so long since I have written or received a letter, I don=t know what to write, yet I love you with all my heart, and you and the dear children are constantly on my mind. Oh, I hope and pray that you are well and have enjoyed good health for the long dreary month that I have no news from you or you from me. I hope the letters you did get and the papers will give such news to you that you have known we could not send any mail to anyone and that I am not to blame for not writing.

We tore all railroads up behind us. I have often wished for a chance to send a letter, but when we first started, the officers said we might not get mail either way for 40 days. I was quite unwell when I left Rome. After the Flu, the Yellow Jaundice took hold of me and I was very weak and left in the ambulance and rode in it for several days, then I caught a Jack and rode him. The 26th of Nov. I took the flag and have carried it since. The Dr. said the morn we left Rome he had ought to send me back to a hospital, but I was getting better and dreaded a hospital so badly that I told him I had rather go along, but I was sorry I did not go back. But we are near the end of this campaign, and I guess I shall be all right soon.

We are 10 or 12 miles from Fort Pulaski, 8 from Savannah, 10 or 12 from Fort McAllister at the mouth of the Ogeechee. I hope as we are so near they will take us where we can see old Peean [Ossabaw Sound, perhaps?]. The tide effects the water where we are. The little Ogeechee is near us and the tide makes it a pretty big stream part of the time and overflows the roads. There is some rebs on the other side, but it is rather quiet. We have heard very heavy cannonading for several days, the gun boats thumping at the rebel forts. Fort McAllister was captured yesterday with over 30 guns and 4 or 600 prisoners. A part of our Corps was there assisted by the gunboats. The report is that our loss was only 60 killed. We marched a month without any resistance, but part of the army had fighting before we did. There was another man slightly wounded in the arm the day Job was, and that is all the men the 7th have had hurt thus far on this important campaign.

We are very anxious to hear from Grant and the rest of mankind and if the other armies have made the thing move as we have. The rebellion must be nearly played out. Look at a map and see the hole we have made in it, cutting it entirely in two from the Ohio to the Atlantic.

Now, my dear, I will bid you a good night and fill this sheet when I get a chance to send it. Good night, near ones. May God bless and protect you.

16th. My dear,


I will try to write a little more to you but don=t know when I can send [the letter], but the report is that there is lots of mail for us near and we are looking all the time for it, and then we can send out mail. We are laying still, waiting for what I don>t know. Our living is rather poor at present. There has been heavy fighting in Tennessee. But you know more about it than I do. I will try to answer the last letter I got from you, mailed Nov. 1st. I was on the march [and] am sorry you rode so far for nothing. There is no use writing about schools or what you will do as it is so late you have probably had to settle to some thing teaching. A little cheaper would perhaps be better than living there. I don=t care if you do sell my Maggy, and I hope you got the money. I sent $175 in a check, 5 in one letter, 3 in some others. What are you doing and how are you getting along about how I felt on hearing of the death of the precious little pet [that neither] Hiram nor any mortal can describe? You know before this that I got the news after we had fallen in to march on a short raid, and although somewhat prepared by other letters, it shocked me very much. We had to have a color guard, and they have to report to me, and the Sergeant Major notified me as I was reading the sad news, and as the men reported, it was some time before I collected myself enough to notice them and assign them their positions and duties. But, my dear, rest assured that I do not attach any blame to you but know [you] done your best and more than you were able. You also know why I have not sent home clothes. Have you got the shirt and drawers I sent by John Parish? Write often and all the news. I will try to write some of the particulars of the campaign
Excuse poor writing and accept the love of your affect. husband and love and kisses to the children. Tell them the rebs have not got their pa. Good bye.

C.T. Ackley

He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I have a chance to send mail today and although I got no letters, and all the rest got letters this morn but myself. But I know it is not your fault, for I know that you still love me and have written to me and I will get letters perhaps next mail. I got a quire of paper and a pack of envelopes. Thanks, Dearest, and I think if you had not been well some of them would have written something about you.

Ann wrote she got her check and Woolsey got his and you got a letter the same time. But she did not know whether you got your check or not. We have no news of account. But some from Marble Rock that Martin has got to be esq. Does he feel pretty big, and what does Wm Judd think, for I see they crossed out his name and Wady has superseded old Ben all right.

I hear it is pretty cold in Iowa. But I hope you are not obliged to stay in the prairie in that old house. Write as often as you can and as much as you can. Write all the news. Mary and Johnson have been fighting. I think they, with some of the other fighting ones, had better come where fighting is the main business and it might do some good, some of the women not excepted, what do you think? Does Mrs. Bedell live alone or not?

I can think of not much to write as I wanted a letter so bad. But I shall get a lot of them before very long. Do the dear children talk much of Pa? Tell them Pa loves them very much and would give a good deal to see Ma and them. Tell them Pa wants them to be good children. Love Ma and Pa and each other and be good to help Ma now Pa is gone. Tell Nora she must try to do housework and learn to cook and Elburn must be a little man, for Pa is gone and he is the only man there. Tell them to pray for Ma and Pa and themselves. Kiss and hug them for Pa and they do the same for me.

Get yourself and them clothes that will keep them comfortable if you can. If you could have gone to the Falls when you got the money and bought all you want you could have perhaps done better. If I ever get to where I can send things home I shall try to send things that will help clothe the children. But don't know when it will be.

We are still laying in camp, but don't know how long we shall stay here, maybe a week and maybe not a day. Sherman has his headquarters near us. I shall have to bid you good-bye my dear. Accept the love of your absent unworthy but affectionate husband.

C.T. Ackley

to E.D. Ackley: P.S. George Cornelie is quite sick with bilious colic but is better.

Later. Just got a most welcome letter from you. There is such a lot of mail it takes a while to get it distributed, but one come to me while I was writing. Glad to learn that you are well except the boil and I know they are bad enough. If you can get that office you can keep warm and I shall feel better, and if our folks or Martin Egbert or Hawks folks come there with a team, have them draw you some ice and it will help you considerable.


Oh, the supervisors, they softened at last before leaving their office, in spite of old Ben's hypocrisy and meanness. But he is now turned out to grass and will probably have to stay there. The women ought to jump him some of them every time they see him, the old I don't know what to say of him. Let him go.

It was so about the vets, some of them getting drunk and tearing a house in Keokuk, and some of them thought the whole regiment would have to help pay. It is some of them that was there had no hand in the outrage. I told them I had never been to Keokuk and I would never pay a cent and no law could ever force one of us to pay a cent, and I would have drawn no pay till the war ceased or my time was out. I told them that I had no hand in it, and was if they were not willing to pay their proportion all they had to do was to tell who the miscreants was and that would clear them. But it is settled and all the vets paid it and I sent my pay home.

I drew 184.60 and sent a check 175 and 5 in a letter, 2 in another, a 50 cts each of the children. I hope you have the money and can make yourself comfortable.

Sour's last letter was mailed Nov 26 and yours 22. His letter said Bill Waggoner had moved into Johnson house and I am afraid you can't get the office.

We can hear cannon and musketry most of the time, but it don't hurt us at all now. We are in rice country and it is rather low and wet, but it is healthy here in the winter. But the weather is warm the most of the time. In the middle of the day we want to get in the shade once in a while. We have frosty nights and a cool day or two. But I must close my dear. Good-bye loved ones. Remember me in prayers. I got a letter from Lou. He says he was going to Hillsdale to school. Has he gone? Write soon to your affection husband.

C.T. Ackley




He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I will try to write you a few lines to inform you that I still love you and to let you know how I am getting along. I am doing very well. We are laying still and have been for over a week, and may for a spell yet, but don't know how long. The boys are well, except George Cornelie. He is quite sick yet but he is some better today. I have some diarrhea.

We have made us a hut covered with pine boughs to protect us from the sun in the middle of the day and heavy dew at night. The dews are like rain and the fog very thick. We are so near the ocean. I got a good letter this morn from you mailed Nov 8th, and although it was older than the one I got the other day, I was glad to get it and I will try to answer some or all of it. Before this time you have got letters from me that will inform you that the rebs have not got the 7th yet, and that we are ready to give them a warm reception if they try it on. They throw the shell pretty near us, but don't bother us much. They threw several near Gen. Corse headquarters about the time I commenced writing. It is about 80 rods from our camp.

I don't see why you do not get letters. I write as often as any of the boys and sometimes oftener. As to my forgetting the loved ones at home, that is entirely out of the question. My thoughts are on them almost constantly. Last on my going to sleep and first on waking and often in my dreams. My dear, when I forget or cease to love my dear wife and precious children I shall be insane, or if letters don't always come when you expect, don't think "he don't love me or has forgotten us". But ever remember in all circumstances that I still love you with all my heart and ever remember you in my prayers.

I wish Sprague would answer my last letter to him. It would do me good to tell him what I think of their conduct to you, causing you so much trouble for nothing, as you could have got a school somewhere else if they had not promised you that one. It would do me good to hear the reason. Tell him I am looking for a letter from him, but before you get this you will be in Johnson's office or some other comfortable quarters.

I hope you can tell the children Pa has done lots of marching and expect to do more and he don't think it very nice, but would like to see them march around the house. Tell Nora Pa don't want any pay for the shears, only love and kisses and a good girl. Have you got the letter with the money I sent to them, 50 cts each? You will think my pen is poor and therefore you will excuse such scribbling. I think I will write to your mother. But have written to John and Lewis and got no answers. But I think I will write to her as soon as I can.

My dear I have written in a number of letters of hearing of the death of dear little precious pet. At times it don't seem possible that he is dead and I shall see him no more on the earth, but I hope and pray that we may all meet in heaven where there is no war, pain, or sickness or parting. Pray for me dearest.

The rebs did interfere with our communication while at Atlanta and Rome. I am glad McNabb paid that note. Try and get pay on all them notes and I also hope Sherman will pay that. You will then have considerable money. If Sherman only wants to pay one note, offer him the interest if he will pay the whole interest due Jan 1st $8. If he only pays one note, it will be $48.00. Don't release any of the property till the whole is paid. I had heard some of the Johnson and Mary affair and that J and his wife have parted.


There must have been high excitement about the capture of the 7th. When we sign the pay rolls it is made out for each company on a large paper and pay day comes every two months, and if we are where it is thought we can get when the paymaster comes his clerk reads or calls the names and the amount and he counts out the money. I drew $184.60 sent 175.00 in a check and five in a letter 1 to the children and 2 in the letter with the check in all $183.00 and I have a watch and over 15.00 in money.

On the first of this campaign I made some on tobacco and then I captured a Jackass and after riding him a few days I traded him for a mule and got five to boot and 1.00 for a bridle and I lost a saddle that I gave one for so I made five on the Jack. But since I have gone into the watch trade and I don't know whether it will pay as well as tobacco or Jackass or not. I bought me one for $15 and have not sold it yet but I got it cheap and so I guess I shall get my money back if no more.

20th I will try to finish this letter. Last night we had orders to be ready to move at dark with only arms and canteens and the orders was not loud talk or other noise. We went about a mile towards the river and part of the regiments went to the river. The intent was to cross the river and surprise the rebs and take a fort, but the watch was found too deep to wade and it was given up, but our skirmish line was advanced to the river bank and fortified. We got back to camp about 1 am.

I guess some of Nora's writing said she was a good girl and loves Pa. Is she very sorry that little dear is dead? About that land. I guess some good timber would be more profit than that. At 300 I should like to get hold of some timber as soon as we can. I had rather give 25 or 30 an acre for Greenswoods timber. I have never been where I could send things home since we left. We left Prospect and there they did not like to let us send home things, till the day before we left and we always have to get a permit from our commanding officer and have some one to see the goods packed and they don't like to let us send good articles, but if we could get near an express office, I shall try it for I could get many things for nothing. Would make clothes for children for nothing that would last a great while.

Don't father take the Oneonta Herald? If he does you perhaps have seen my letter. I thought the editor would send me a paper. McNabb has fizzled, out like Baker. It is as good as could be expected of him as he never did amount to much. Alvah never was an abolitionist. Some called him a copperhead. I am a stronger one than ever and most of the soldiers that have any pluck or patriotism are the same. It is time for the mail to go and I will write more in this in another letter. Good-bye. Write soon and ever pray and remember that you are still remembered and loved by your unworthy but affectionate husband.

C.T. Ackley





He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

As my letter yesterday was cut short by an alteration in the time of the mail leaving, which has been 2 o'clock but was 10 yesterday, and I will bother you with another letter, although I don't expect to finish it today, as the rebs in our front left in the night and we are under orders to be ready to move at a moment's notice. I have not much news and shall write some black abolitionism to bring the thing home to ourselves. I find they have the same love for their children or as much as white folks on this campaign. It rains and I shall have to say good bye, my dear ones.

Dec 26 My dear ones you will please to excuse me for not writing sooner, as the day I wrote the above we started from that camp at 10 and marched to Savannah, nine miles. The rebs evacuated their lines in our front in the night and also left Savannah at the same time and the 20th Corps took possession of the city. It was almost a bloodless victory, but one of vast importance to us, as it is a great outlet from the center of Dixie and only three days from New York, and our supplies come from there and we can run boats up the Savannah river a long ways and that gives a chance to operate on different points in the interior.

We are 104 miles from Charleston and it is thought a part of this army will go there. It is reported that the 14th, 20th, 17th Corps are on that road now, but I can't tell if it is so. We captured over 500 cannon, some of large size, and vast quantities of rice, corn, and other supplies. We have been shifting our camp and been building shanties since we have been here. It is thought by some officers that we were going to stay here some time and perhaps all winter, but we don't know anything about it. We had orders to build quarters and we had to scratch to make sure of lumber and that is one reason that I have had no chance to write and all the boys but Sours and me are at work. S and I am writing and the mail goes out at 9 this morn and therefore this letter will be short, but I will make it up in love and give you a long one as soon as I can.

I got a letter the 21st from you. It was a very long one and I was very thankful for such a good long letter, although I had one later. This was mailed Nov 19th and the latest one was mailed the 22nd. I shall not have time to answer all of it this time but will answer a few questions. That sister of mine I suppose thinks she is perfect and an honor to her husband and friends, but I don't think so, and if she would mind her own business and attend to her house and family a little, she would be some more thought of. But you are well acquainted with her, to let her tongue trouble you, for it don't me.

About that Rex timber. If you could have any money to make payment I should like to have some timber that is good rail timber. If you could get three or four acres of it, and then we could try some other time to get some saw timber. If you think of buying any of it, get M and G to look at it and get as good as there is in the lot. Rex has a piece up the river near John Clays that he wanted to sell. It is first rate. If he wants to sell it get them to look at it and if you could get that and three or four acres of the rail timber, we would have plenty of rail wood and saw timber. If Sherman pays, that will help and I think I will get pay soon. Good-bye. Love to you and the children. Write soon and ever pray for your husband.

C.T. Ackley





He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I will try to write you a few lines to inform you how I am getting along. I am not very well. Have had the diarrhea for some time and have been taking medicine, and that or something else made me sick. Had something like the cramp colic. Was pretty bad for 2 or 3 days but am considerable easier today. Think I will get along soon. You must not worry about me as you will be kept posted. I don=t know hardly what to write but will try to answer a part of your long letter. I hope you have got a P.M. that won=t get drunk and send the mail by. I thought you would get letters that would tell you of my receiving the sad and unwelcome news of the death of the precious child, and although he can never be returned to us, but we can go to him as we have assurance that he is enjoying eternal rest in heaven. Oh, dear, let us be faithful and meet our precious little ones in heaven. My dear, I need your prayers and the prayers of all praying people. Pray for me continuously.
The old color sergeant has not got back yet, and I am color bearer, but last night and tonight I was not able to go on dress parade, and I let one of the color guards carry it, but in a few days I will be able to take it again, I hope. The color sergeant or anyone else could not get to us after we started on this campaign till we opened communication with the coast which was done about 2 weeks ago. I did not smoke long when the jaundice hit me. I left it off and have not smoked since. Our Drs. are nothing extra. If a man comes to them, they often pretend to think he is playing off to get rid of duty or something, but one of them done first rate by me at Rome and on the march. When I was not able to walk, he would give me a ticket to ride whenever I asked him and he seems to take notice of me, but they are not like the doctors at home. The drum beats a sick call every morn, and those that are sick go to the Drs. tent. I have been every morn since the 24th, and they have not felt of my pulse at all. He looked in my mouth this morn and said it was coated some.

Why don't you take some paper B the Dubuque Times would be good B to give you the news? Does Father take the Oneonta yet? If not, I have a notion to send the money and have it sent to you. What is it, a year now?

Old Hood on his northern raid did not make quite as much as Sherman going south. You know they traded off. Hood said he was going to carry the war into Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana, and Sherman let him go. He gave orders not to molest him in crossing the Chattahoochee, and when he got well past us, we pulled up and started for Savannah, which we captured with a large amount of guns and stores. There is an immense lot of cotton here. They say enough to pay Sherman's whole army, and they are shipping it away. There is quite a number of boats coming in and out daily. It only takes 3 days to go to New York from here and in good weather some boats go in 30 hours.

It is getting dark. Good night to you and the dear little ones. Kiss them good night for pa and all pray for him.



Dec. 30th. My dear, My letter don't get along very fast, but I will try to send it tomorrow. The other boys most all got letters this morn but me, and they were old letters, Nov. 4th, most of them. They are all well. Sours says he never had better health in his life, and Clay is tough and don't grunt much now he went to the Odnanee train a few days ago as guard. This is the wagon train that carries ammunition for this division. On the march it is no easier if we stay in camp, but in marching those guards can put their knapsacks and other baggage in the wagon and have them carried all the time and where the road is good, they can get on and ride once in a while if they get tired, I guess. It will suit Clay, and he is only 2 mile from us and is here every day. We have got a pretty good board shanty, 12 feet square. It was built for eight, but Clay was the 8th. We have L.I.R., Frost, Sours, a Dutchman by the name of Blash E. Hawks, T.J. Ackley, Job A Clark, and myself. Joe does not swear much now. I intended to finish this letter yesterday, but it was cold and windy and I could not keep my fingers warm away from the fire, and the boys went to work building a chimney and laying a floor, and a grunting man like me without much ambition had good excuses for not writing or doing anything else and the only place I could be out of the way and keep warm was in the bunk, and I kept it pretty close. They got the chimney and the floor done, and a fire made it quite cheerful last night. In the morn it takes me some time to get up ambition to do anything. I have yet to get up [unintelligible] round a little and perhaps do a job in the privy, then go to the doctor's tent to get my medicine and by that time, I take another lay down, and this forenoon the boys were building a table in the house and there was no chance for writing. And about noon Clay came with some little oysters, and he gave me some and I thought the soup would taste good, and I got them out of the shells, and it was a job as they are very small and all grown together in all shapes, but I got some cleaned and made me about a quart of soup, but it was not very strong and I ate about 1/3 of it, I guess. After it was done, I took a short lay down and by that time the day is most gone. It is quite pleasant today. Last night a rebel blockade runner with a full cargo of tea, sugar, coffee, and clothing, and none of our boats molested them and they did not know as we had taken Savannah and they came up and anchored and in the morn, Uncle Sam's boys took possession of it peacefully. It is rumored that Gen. Grant came here today. There was some guns fired. Some think it was a salute to Grant, but I don't know as it was, but he was expected today.

Dec. 31st. My dear, I had not got that long letter answered and last night between 7 & 8 my heart was made glad on the receipt of two very welcome letters containing the good news of the good health of my dear wife and children for which I feel to thank a kind and merciful parent for this blessing, my dear and much loved family. One letter was mailed the 8th and the other the 13th. It seems you got that money and spent it pretty quick, and your selection of timber suits me to a tee. It is good and is handy to us any time it would get cold in the evening. When the river freezes over, we can cross straight over to it. But it is near Clark/s timber, and they are not very particular if they do get to cutting over. Have Grd [?], Russ, and others, who can, go over it and keep a look to it as often as they can. You have got a school at least, although not the most desirable one. Where do you board? By the time you get this, you will have the ice broken. Will they carry you sometimes when the snow is deep as their children can't go on foot in storms? It will go about as hard as anything to leave that precious white head although he will be well off and have good care and be kept warm, I think. How many scholars do you have or expect? Write the particulars. What shape are those pictures in? One case or more or on plates, photographs are the handiest, but they cost too much. Judd got Em=s last night. I guess you may send them as soon as you can, and they may get here before we leave and they may not, but they will follow up and catch me somewhere and we may stay here some time if I get them and we go on another campaign like last spring. I may send them back again as they are apt to get used up in lugging and tumbling around and getting wet. It will do me good to see them although there is one missing.

How did you let the cows go and how long? Sometimes I think it would be as well to sell the wagon if you are not there and it stands out in the weather [which] hurts it a great deal. It ought to fetch $50, but if you can get it taken apart and put up, it will do. Use your own judgment about it. If I am gone 2 years more and it stands out, it will be rather old. But I hate to go without a wagon as I have done. Tell Mrs. Baker I am sorry if I injured the young soldier, but I done it ignorantly and innocently. I read to Bert and some more of the boys what Marg said. I must say good bye, my dear ones. I send you much love. Pray for me and J. permit. Don=t be such an unworthy wife on paper as it don=t sound right. Love to you all. I shall come ever another today. Goodbye. With love, your affect
C.T.A.


He wrote the following letter²¹ I will again try, my dear wife, to finish answering your long letter and the two that I got last night. They had inspection and muster at 9 and have just got through. I did not go on inspection. I don't have to do any duty till I get better. Am not in much pain, but have not much appetite yet, but pills I am taking seem to do me good. There is not much sickness here now. Two from this company is all and there is, only three or four sick ones in the regiment. The weather is cold and changeable there, but you will have warm quarters now and will not have to wade through drifts to feed hogs and cattle and fetch in wood. I am glad you got out of the cold house, although you have not the most desirable place, but it is better. Had they not ought to give you 20 and board you. You would had it easier in Johnson's office, but it would cost considerable more and in fetching water it would be as hard as the school. You might make Elburn a pair of shirts out of the shirts, or Nora a petticoat, and you wear the drawers or use them to line E's clothes. If I could get you two shirts you could wear them yourself. I suppose Hi thought as you wanted money pretty bad and I got such large pay, that you ought to sell him that wagon very cheap. He is such a poor man - but if you sell it, it is worth 50 to anyone and I don't know but more, if you can't get it under ??? somewhere, I don't know but you had better sell it, but I hate to have it go but it will injure a good deal, if it can't be sheltered. It is too late for old Ben to leave you out in the cold, but it will hurt him very bad when he hears you have bought some timber, I am afraid. What do you think? But let him rip. How does Dan's wife get along? I don't know whether there will be a chance for pictures here or not. The name you give, baby suits me well and perhaps them better than any name I could send.

I am very sorry that my wife, that was so good and dear to me when I was at home, is good for nothing and unworthy as she is the only one that gives me any information in regards to her deterioration. I am inclined to think there is something out of place, and it would be a great favor to me if I don't see it signed "good for nothing" or "unworthy" any more till I am more worthy than I now am, or till I get home to learn the facts, that sister is a very worthy and harmless piece. If you don't want to tell the truth, I will accept your promise, but don't expect any better usage than formerly, and if I get as good without doing better myself, I shall be satisfied. I am never tired of reading your letters. Let them come long and thick as you can. Has your bile gotten well? Tell the children Pa would like to come home and stay without their [the army?] hanging onto me but a third of the time has gone, and I am in hopes of getting home before the full time. Kisses and hugs from Pa, and tell them I love them and they must be good to Ma and each other and pray for me. I think ought to fetch N a doll.

I expect it is dinner time and I will stop till dinner is over. The boys have been running around over the floor and the writing shook some. If you can't read it, say so and I will try to do better. The second sheet of the long letter is lost or mislaid, therefore I don't know as I can answer all the questions, but will do the best I can. Is Baker as good to send home money as he is clothes? How much has he sent home and what does she do with it? Is she saving or does she flaunt like the rest of them? How long did Albert live with Sheperson? The most of the clothes I wear as long as they will wear. I have one of the old Dubuque shirts yet, but it will go before long; if I get a chance to send new shirts or anything new home it will pay if for nothing else for my own use when I get home. They are cheaper than can be got anywhere else. If I can, I shall send home coats and pants or parts of them. I have got a good blouse that was going to be thrown away and have worn it some time, and Job owes me another one and when he draws it I should like to send one of them home.

Mrs. Snell was calculating to make her pile in boarding you. She is as patriotic as the most of the men I know. The folks are very sorry for you and all the rest of the S wives, if we could believe half they say, but I can't do that. There is more hypocrisy shown in that way than I ever thought existed. Before we left the people all said their families shall not suffer. But as soon as we are away doing battle and suffering all manner of hardships, that they may enjoy the blessings of peaceful homes and have a government and general laws to protect themselves and their families and property, then the wolf appears, and if they can't devour the soldiers' families, they will have nothing to do with them. They must have two prices for doing anything for them, and if they charge them a small pittance for anything, the use of a wagon or the like, they are badly used. If they could go on and have the privilege of going on a campaign and several fights, they would change their hands so much that their own families would hardly know them, is the sentiments of this shanty and lots of others. Read it to all you get a chance to. If any wants to know what I write, read it to them. Carry it in your pocket and read it as much as you can, and tell them how we feel and what we think of the cold shoulder arrangement. Don't be bashful of reading it. If I was there awhile, I could talk it to them and more, too. If you have any projects in your head, don't be afraid to write. Write all the plans you want me to counsel with. It will not bother me in the least. I guess you can't get the chance of keeping house for Wm H Johnson and therefore will not want my advice on that. The length of the epistle did not bother me and would not if the sheets had all been full. "Affectionate wife" looks and sounds better than "good for nothing" and "unworthy", and you will write accordingly and please me.

It is getting dark and I can't see. I will write a little abolitionism, if I can see. Mc and Baker do full as well as could be expected of either of them, as slavery has caused the war and all the bloodshed and suffering in this country for four years, and will ever cause trouble till it is entirely done away and, as for the slaves, some of them may not be any better off now than they were before, but those that have a chance to do anything for themselves show conclusively that they are capable of taking care of themselves with half a chance and, although very ignorant the most of them are, but they are capable of receiving instruction and becoming an intelligent, industrious, and happy people, which they can never be as long as slavery holds them.

It is dark so good night, My Love, to you all good night. My Dear, I wish you a happy new year and hope I may try to make it a happy year for you, but I fear I have never increased your happiness very much. But if possible, I will be a better husband in future than I have been in the past and there is plenty of room for improvements.

Politics again. Slavery has been the cause of your being separated from your husband, and that is enough to make me stick to abolitionism closer than ever. If you had seen the train of women and children that followed us through this country. They knew if they went with us, they were free and they were afraid if they were left, they would still be slaves. The male portion of them were mostly run off by the rebs. There was all sizes, ages, and colors. Some walked for several days. I saw them occasionally not larger than Elburn was when I came away, and women with little ones in their arms struggling for freedom. One family or parts of families got a one horse cart and there was 11 little ones in that and some of the women driving the horse and I guess they took turns. Don't you think they were entitled to freedom? They appear to think freedom is a great thing, where they are not afraid of having their little ones torn from their bosom and sold like pigs and as they appear to have natural.

Don't try to do much between school hours and don't walk around much. Accept my heart's love and write and continue to pray for your affectionate husband.

C.T. Ackley








He wrote the following letter²¹ . . .affection for their children as the whites. Those of us that know the love of and the blessings of precious children by bringing it home to ourselves and see how we would like to have our little [ones] taken away and sold to what we know not. Yet their little ones are just as precious to them as ours are to us. All the difference is we have a little better education than they have. But they are no more ignorant than the most of the poor whites through the country. We have traveled on the two campaigns we have been on. Those that are employed by the government as teamsters and cooks know the worth of the time and money and some of them are good on arguments. Some of them that are religious, and all they know of the bible, they have heard from someone, yet they will make a very good argument, and some are hard to beat in argument, although some of them may be worse than they have been; but the time is coming that they will be elevated and more enlightened and be of some benefit to mankind. Generally, in this city and all cities we have passed, there is plenty of all colors, some lighter than their masters and plenty of them are children of their masters. I have seen some with hair almost as while as my little boy. When we was in Atlanta, we stayed across the road from a negro family, a youngish man and wife and a boy 7 or 8 years old, about as dark as Lex Gifford was when he was that age, and this boy was keen. The woman was what is called a good looking mulatto; the husband was rather dark. The father of the woman was there and pretty black and quite intelligent. He said the owner of the big house was a Dr. by the name of Ford, and he bought this woman when young and when 14 or 15 years old. He used her for his mistress. He coaxed her some time for fear his wife would make a fuss if he resorted to severe measures, but at last he whipped her and kept her tied up till he could use her as he wished. And this boy was the result of some of their intercourse. The Dr. was in Nashville or some other place north to keep out of the way, I guess.

I have given you an insight into some of the characters composing the slaves, and if this doesn't fetch you off the fence on the right side, I can give you plenty more, and if Mc is the only [one] that has got you there, I don=t think he is much of an advocate, as his word cannot be relied on in any place or on any subject and besides he is cowardly and he thinks anything to end the war will suit him. Alva Robinson was not an abolitionist. Many thought him a copperhead, and he was rejected from the league on that account. Joe Baker never did amount to anything and always was a coward and tried hard to get out of the army and could not. And then he turned peace man and they are a fair specimen of a peace man and pro slavery but all [are] sound and truly loyal and patriotic soldiers, are strong abolitionists, and if they think their friends are turning into slavery men, they feel they have recruits in the ranks of the enemy causing a fire in the rear, but this is getting long and tedious and it will soon be mail time. Write what you think of my politics. The part of the letter that was lost had some questions about meeting, I believe, and I have heard no sermon since I was at Nashville or been to a prayer meeting. We have no Chaplin and there is none in our brigade. Each regiment is entitled to one and last winter when the veterans were at home, they partly engaged Elder Witted of Bradford, and he said he agreed to come and that is all we have heard of him. There was a meeting a ways from here Christmas, and the day before we had a grand review by Gen. Sherman. We all got in line, then Gen. Sherman in company with Howard Osterhaus, and lots of other officers, rode along the lines and we saluted Sherman by presenting arms and me dipping the flag nearly to the ground; then we marched around them and I was pretty tired when we got through. My love to you all. Kiss the children for pa and tell them that pa loves you all very much. Write immediately to your aft and unworthy husband
C.T. Ackley

Most of the boys got letters yesterday, New Years. Joe, Job, and I got none. Write as often as you can, dear one.



He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife,

I will try to write you a few lines today. There is no news here of account as I know of. Governor Stone is here I believe, for he came here a few days ago and I have not heard of his leaving yet. I look for a letter today when the mail comes in but may be disappointed. I did not answer all the last two letters I got last and I will try and answer them now. The first mailed the eighth. How is D. Comstock making it over there? Will he get that land paid for, do you think? Does he do any better there than he did with the old man? How does his wife get along? Does she have it as hard as she did on the old place? Who is this Hammond, there, that talks of working our place? Where is he from? How does he talk of working it and does he want to live in the house? If times are not too hard by spring and breaking is not too high, I think it would be a good plan to get the balance of that 40 broke. There is to be two rods left for the road and 12 feet for the fence and if anyone lives in the house you must not furnish them wood, but maybe if that is broke early and you could hire some rails split, they could draw them and move the old fence around for use of the road for corn, turnips, or beans, or buck wheat. They might not be willing, but if you get it broke, make him the offer.

Where do you board and what kind of board do you have? Was Johnson willing to take the office back? What is he doing now and where is his wife? Did our folks salt your pork for you? Did they have much pork to sell this fall? Did you have old pork enough to last you? Martin has done better than he ever did before; has he in grain pork. How much was the note that John Gates had? I don't care much about the coat but it was sold cheap enough. He is paid up now. I hope after such a long time there was plenty that wants to sell timber to you. But I think you made a good choice in what you did buy and I am glad you had it deeded to yourself. Is the timber pretty thick and large? How much maple is there on it? Is there enough to bother in making sugar? What did you and the children's pictures cost? If you have lots of chickens, you had better give Mrs Baker one and tell her to make a pie and give that boy all he can eat, as I had not interest to injure one and if I had known there was a young soldier pending I never should have taken anything, but I thought there so many helping her that she would get enough to eat and divide a little with me besides and I think her boy is big enough. I guess one letter is answered and a few questions asked.

So you will know that I have not forgot all my Yankee traits yet, who paid you the money on that check and did they charge you anything? I don't expect to find that my dear wife looks natural. She has had such a hard row and so much trouble since I came away, but I hope she will not get entirely broken down before I get home again. You must be careful of yourself and try to recruit a little. But I don't know as can this winter but take it as easy as you can and I hope you will not have as much on hand as you have had. If I am not home in the spring and you want a school, that one at Kinnies would do very well and if Dan Smiths wife don't live in her house and Egbert's folks builds up there, you might get her house and live there and teach the school and have the little ones with you this winter. Will be about as long as you can stand it away from one of them. But, I am great for planning, but my plans are of but little account and you will think this one of the smallest, but I knew the trouble you had about getting this one and it would be best to look ahead some way. Maybe if she gets well and stays there she would like to have you live with her. Some of the hearts melted a little, I guess, for they say E got wood enough to last her all winter and a good lot cut for the stove, and I heard Mrs. Baker was a going to have a bee who will get wood. Wood will not trouble you if your host keeps it on hand, and if there is none at the school house, you can go to your boarding house and sit by the fire. Have they got a pretty warm house?

I am very anxious to hear how you are situated. Will Sherman pay more than one note this winter? Will you get any more of the town bounty that we got notes last winter? Try and get clothes enough to keep you warm when you go out and also the little ones. I shall get pay pretty soon. I guess 104.00 Would like to send 100 home but don't know as I can quite. You had better not pay more than 1/2 that school mortgage that payment. Keep some on hand and not get as hard up as you have been the past season if you can help it. What is the reason Julina's baby doesn't grow? Is it not healthy or don't it get enough to eat. Tell the children Pa would like to see their cousin, but would give a great deal more to see his own little children and their Ma. Ask E if Uncle Martin holds him a good lot now he is living with him. Is he a good boy there? He must be good and mind M & J. Tell them if Pa was there he would like to hold them some. Who is fixing the watch? Has M a good lot of corn? I will try to be a good boy, but don't think I make very great headway. I will pray for you and you do the same by me and continually.

What color is your old shawl now? Em done pretty well in paying that mortgage. I can work an ox team when I get home and guess I can live without any team for a spell I guess. When you get to flaunting your prettiest send me word and if I can't come then to see you will have a picture taken sent if there can be an artist found capable of doing you justice. I am some afraid you will flaunt very big. It acts like it every time I have sent money and I saw so much when I was home. Does some of the others cut as big a swell as they used to? I write the letter that had Jud's check in and told her it was pretty hard earned money and as something might happen and they might have, she must be as saving as possible of it. I would like to know what she thought of it. But it looks as though it had a salutary effect.

Jan 5th My dear, I will try to finish this letter. I guess I have answered the most of your questions. The boys are all well. I am better I guess. I will soon get along now the flux has stopped and the doctor seems to try to do well by me. Jud and Job went on picket yesterday morn. Will come off this morn. Joe has gone on today. The regiment went to town to work yesterday, but came back last night. They worked on the breast works and forts. Where we are there are a heavy line of works, but they are building them closer to town so that a smaller force can hold and defend the city.

I guess Sherman don't mean his army shall lay still anymore than necessary until the war is ended and he will build strong works so that a small force can hold the place and have as large an army in the field. It is reported that he said he was agoing to clear the whole coast this winter. I don't know as he said so but I should not be surprised if it was done. They are going in lively at Wilmington and that is the greatest blockade running port they have got and about the last and the blockade running is up there now. Our troops have effected a landing and hold their position while the fleet is in a good place to shell their works. I expect some of Sherman's army will go there, if they have not already gone. Some have left here and it is reported they have gone there. I don't expect we will stay here long, but we may a spell. I wish it might fall to us to garrison the place, then we could stay a long time. But I guess it will not.

The weather is pleasant but it is pretty frosty this morn. Joe writes big yarns about our having lice. We do have lice, body lice; all the soldiers have more or less of them. The only way we can keep them off is to have our clothes washed often and scalded, but on a campaign we can't have it done very often and the last one hardly at all, and when we got here they were quite thick, but we are getting the start of them now. Don't let anything trouble you any. Now good-bye my dear. Accept the heart's love of your husband and ever pray for him. Tell the dear children Pa loves them and wants to see you all. Write as often as possible.







C.T. Ackley

It has been some time since I got a letter. Write soon and all the particulars how you like your situation and how the children get along. Give my respects to who may enquire. Keep the love to yourselves.




He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife I will try to write you a few lines. I sent you a long letter this morning and also some Savannah papers in one. You will see what the government is going to do with the free Negroes, and you can read it to some that are afraid they will over run the north. There is no danger of that.

Well, I am some like Mills about the draft. But I think if he or his boy was liable to be drafted he would feel different and he can make money fast by coming as a substitute and he will find it nothing but fun to be a soldier. But I had rather work hard at home and could make money most as fast and just as easy.

Mace is all right is he? Have they any children to send to school? I think if you could have boarded there you would had a better place, I think. Do you think my newspaper correspondence very interesting? I told them if they thought it worthy of publication to send me a paper in which it was published, but I have not got it yet, and also told them not to sign my whole name to it. Did they put the whole name to it?

Who did Bedell leave his property to? The old lady and Bill will get along letter than when he was alive. What kind of a boy does he appear to be now? Is Bailey going back after a wife? If so I hope he will do better than C. Wood did. They burst up pretty quick. What kind of a fellow does Bailey appear to be? Inmans' folks got enough of Mrs Wood pretty quick. She will take the child I suppose.

I have written to your mother and did not think of sending an envelope. I wish I had. I am glad Nora loves her Pa so much. Tell her that I love her and Ma and Elburn with all my heart. Elburn ought to have one of the pictures, ought he not. Your bile hung on well, I think. This I think answers all of your letters, besides asking some questions, and now I will try to write some of the incidents of the last campaign, although I was not able to keep a very perfect account of the first of the trip.

We got orders on the 10th of Nov to be ready to move at a moments notice and all the troops but our brigade left that day and the men of the 11th. We were on order to be ready to move at sunrise and I went to the doctor and he said he would have to send me back to when we got to Kingston, but I was getting better and have such a dread of the hospital that I told him that I had rather go along and that I would be able to march in a few days and I got in the ambulance and nights I staid with the regiment.

Jud or Bert would come to the ambulance and get my knapsack nights and bring it back in the morn. Some of the men was engaged on the night of the 10th, burning the public buildings and manufactories. We marched the 11th two or three miles past Kingston and the next morn the doctor said he did not know what to do with me, but I told him I thought I would get along in a few days. But before three days I was sorry I did not go back.

The 12th we left at sunrise and went 1 1/2 miles beyond Altoona. There is an ambulance to each regiment and about 50 besides called the ambulance corps of the 15th A C. These go behind the whole of the wagons and all the troops, but one regiment as rear guard and generally there is two ambulances behind the rear guard to fetch up those that give out. We have to get a ticket from the doctor to get a chance to ride. I got one of the assistant surgeon each morn; they read thus: "Ambulance train A C 15th. Admit the bearer. J Ashton Acworth, asst surgeon 7th Iowa Inft."


The 13th the advance started at sunrise, passed through Acworth which was quite a village last summer, but the rebs burnt the depot and most of the town in the Altoona raid. It is six miles from Altoona, then Big Shanty where they had burnt the depot which was the most of the place.

The road was full of Negroes and white soldiers fleeing from their homes. As our army was leaving the country, transportation north was furnished to all that came in time to take the cars, before we started as we tore the railroad and destroyed everything belonging to it. I don't know what became of them, but all along we were following by a large army of Negro women and children which received reinforcements every day and I have heard that large numbers of them came through to this city with us. They came in all shapes. Some on mules and horses, in carts, buggies, and on foot. One horse cart contains one women and 13 children all of a size and black as crows. They belonged different children and there were little children not larger than Nora that kept up with us from morn till night.

Then at night the 13th we camped at the foot of Kenesaw mountain two miles of Marietta and the night was enlightened by the burning of the railroad and the business part of the town. It was in the largest place between Chattanooga and Atlanta. Here I got a letter from you mailed Nov 1, the last one till Dec 17th. The 14th we reached the Chattahoochie, near Sand Town ferry, 12 miles below where the railroad crosses. There was a pontoon bridge across at this place and part of the army crossed that night but we did not cross till morn the 15th. We started at 7; at noon we came near Atlanta. We left it on our left.

One mile here we stopped and drew clothing and rations and then went to near East Point where we camped. There was considerable clothing destroyed at Atlanta. Those that had a chance to go into the city dressed themselves well and brought out lots of clothes, which they sold. But they had rather burn the things than to bring them and give them to the men, and let them throw their old ones away, but we could draw what we had a mind or get it for nothing if we could get into the town before it was all burnt. That's the way they will destroy anything rather than to bring it and give it to the men; that's the way they do it.

16th - We left East Point and I walked most of the day by starting in the morning early and carrying nothing but my haversack and canteen.

We passed through a town named McDonough, about the size of St. Charles. Here we began to find forage in the country as there had been no army here before this. Only home guards, and they left as they heard of the approach of the Yanks. There was any quantity of sweet potatoes, hogs and chickens, geese, turkey, corn, wheat flour, meal, salt, molasses, tobacco which the Yanks went in on, and they did not leave much behind and they captured lots of horses, mules, and large droves. We sent men out and they drove in all the cattle and sheep and hogs they could find, and lots of the boys had chickens or pork on their backs most of the time, or sacks of meal, flour, rice, and sweet potatoes. Some of them were large, ahead of only Yankees or Irish potatoes for size, and they eat very well.

We marched this day 20 miles, and done well in tobacco trading. I got out of the ambulance and bought it by the side of the road of man that had captured it. This about the last I have done in that line.


I made a mistake in the above date. The 10th we went 29 miles and camped near Jonesboro and the 17th we marched according to the above. We had orders to move at 6 the next morn and the drums beat for falling in at that time and I started ahead as I had done for a few days and the order was countermanded and they did not march that day. They sent out men to forage and I took my time and went four miles to a village called Jackson and I saw no signs of our division coming and troops that were passing said they were still in camp.

Here I eat dinner with some darkies. An old one and his wife had chickens and corn dodgers. It went good and I gave them 50 cts new postage currency. It was the first Yankee money they had seen and they thought it very nice. They said, when I asked them if the white men were scared at us, "Lor bless you, they was skeered nigh to death!" There was some home guards there and they would go and drive the Yankees back, and they heard a few shots fired and they came back in such a fright that they did not even stop to bid their families good-bye, much more to provide means for their escape. We found plenty of women and children, but not able bodied white men. We were told they were in the army.

I staid in Jackson till about 2 in the afternoon and I heard that our regiment was still in camp and would not move that day and so I started back. I had filled my canteen with molasses and got a quart bottle full besides and 6 or 8 quarts of meal tied up in a towel and also had laid in for a good lot of sweet potatoes. A pretty good load for a sick man. I got back to camp in time to eat super and then came fresh orders to move and about dark we started.

But I had run houd out and could not march and I told the doctor where I had been. He scolded me some and said I must not do so again; never get out of sight of the brigade. He asked what I would done if I had given out and they had took some other road, but there was no road turning off, for I thought of that and did not pass any road.

We went about 8 miles that night and camped about 12. The Negroes said every road for 10 miles each way was full of Yankees and I guess it was so and they welcomed us with many a fervent "God bless you, we are glad to see you". Ask them where their masters was, they said "he has done gone to the army". Ran away. They did not know where. We burnt all public buildings and some others and all the cotton, we found which was a large quantity.

18th started at 6 marched 8 miles and came to the Ocmulgee River at 2. Drew rations and staid till dark. I did not get into the ambulance, but I got behind yet as our brigade was ahead. The ambulances did not catch me. At dark we started crossed the river and they told me the ambulances were over the river and so I went over and found they were a mile back and would not move that night and so I heged on foot and it was muddy and hilly and I did not go far.

There was troops camped all along. I sat down talking with some of them and a little jackass came along going back; a man caught him for me and there was a rope dragging from his neck and got on his back and in less than 2 miles I found the regiment in camp.

Jan 26 I will put some slate pencils in this for the dear little ones, three pieces; perhaps they will get broken. Good bye, Love. Love from my heart for you and the little one. There was a short meeting Sunday and also last night. The chaplin read and sung and prayed and talked to us. Good bye.

C T Ackley

Direct Hospital 4th div 15th A C




He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife

With pleasure I seat myself to pen you a short epistle. It will inform you that boys all are well, fat, and hearty and all that. I am doing fine; my appetite is coming. The diarrhea has left and I am only weak, but it has been over two weeks since I ate as much as I do when well to two meals but yesterday I began to feel like eating and for supper we had oyster soup and I done justice to a good lot. I wish you could have some. Jud and Bert went and got a bushel for 1.50. They let 1/3 of them go and the $1.00 worth made 7 of us good soup. But we had not butter or soda crackers but the hard tack did well today.

I feel quite like getting along. There is a grand review and the boys are all gone to town. They left at 8:00. It is 3:00 now and I expect they will be back soon and I have the rice in the kettle and the coffee water ready to put on when I find they are coming. I can see them from the door when they first start from town 1 mile off.

Captain Samuel P. Folsom came to the regiment this morn. He has got well and looks as well as I ever saw him. I don't know whether he intends staying or not but guess he does. I hope so and so does all from there and all but a small clique of the company wish the same. We find by experience he is the best for everything of any officers that we have had and we tried both the other lieutenants. He came as everything else does to get here, by way of N York. Good night; the boys are coming hungry and I will start supper.

(Jan 8th) Dear and much loved wife and children, I will try to finish this letter so it can start in the morn for Iowa so that you will not get tired of looking for news from me. I sent 1 two or three days ago but don't want you to have to wait very long between them when I am where I can send them to you and it is uncertain how long that will be, as we will not stay here very long I think. But when we leave here we may go where we can send mail regular and we may not.

Capt Folsom says the people in the north are in the best of spirits and think the war is fast drawing to a close and that Copperheads are scarce, but patriotism, money, and most everything plenty. He says he can begin to see through and it seems to me the same. It does certainly look favorable. Hood has got badly whipped in Tennessee. Sherman has destroyed all the railroads through Georgia. Destroyed immense quantities of cotton (and) nearly subsisted his whole army off the country through which we passed.

Captured prisoners, negroes, and large amount of mules and horses and captured this city with nearly cotton enough to pay this whole army off and a large quantity of rice flour and other supplies to help feed an army and a number of cars together with locomotives and Capt Folsom came from New York in the steamer Arago and they were chased by a rebel pirate one day and it came near overhauling them. They turned the Arago towards the blockading fleet off Charleston and as the pirate began to throw shell at them the ships of the fleet came to their relief and Mr. Pirate took flight, followed by some of our ships.

They did not get near enough to the Arago to have any of their shot reach it, but it was fast gaining on them and he said if they had two or three hours longer to run it would probably have overhauled them. The Arago had eight guns and was loaded with officers and soldiers among whom was Major Gen John A Logan and several other general brigadeers and Chaplains, Captains, Lieutenants, volunteers, and conscripts.

They cleared ship and fixed the guns for action, although the Arago was not a warship, and Sam said the pirate was a large boat and could probably have blown the A out of water or sunk her but Gen Logan said if they take us they will have a sweet time of it but they came off first rate and they all got through safe and sound.

It has been some time since I have had any letter and therefore you will excuse the dryness of this letter and it may not therefore be very long, but it will carry to you the assurance of hearts love of your soldier husband, far away in a strange land. Yes, my dear, I love you with my whole heart and will ever try to pray that God will continue to watch over you and ever give you strength to do his will and bear your heavy burdens and you must remember that I was ever weak and needed the prayers of Christians to keep me alive. Therefore you must pray for me continually that I may be kept unspotted from the world. Wine, women, or swearing has not defiled me since I left home, although I can't say that I have not sinned in other ways for all sin and no man can say he has no sin.

Pray for me dear one and may the Lord speed the right and cause right, truth, and justice and speedily bring the war to an honorable close, that peace may spread its balmy wings over this land and may every man be free and every fetter broken. When I am not well enough to do the whole of my duties as a soldier and take my share of everything that comes along, then is the time I am most lonely, I find, and long to be at home with you and the loved children.

The boys have just gone on dress parade and it seems almost as if I was talking to you, not at such a distance but side by side. If I only was there I could put my arms around you and have the dear children climbing my knees. I should be almost unspeakably happy, but will try to keep up good spirits and wait patiently the Lord's own good time when I may once more clasp my dear family to my heart.

Tell the children Pa loves them very much and prays for them and wants to always. They are good children. Tell them to be good, love Ma, and mind her and do all they can to help her and each other and love Pa and pray for Ma, Pa and themselves. Tell Nora if she stays with you this winter she must be good and try to learn to read all she can. Now my dear you will part or call this flat and soft, but remember that's always the case with me. I have written as I felt. Call it anything.

Now write soon and often and write all the news. How do you fare and how do you like your school and how many scholars do you have? Good bye dear. Love to you all. Prayers for you. Pray for your absent but affectionate husband.










He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife,

Although I have received no letters for sometime and have no news to write yet, to while away the passing time in as pleasant as possible I will try to write you a few lines. They will be dry and uninteresting, yet they will, if they reach their destination, bring you tidings of your absent but affectionate husband.

I am still getting better. Do not take much medicine, have some bitters now that I am taking. The rest of the boys are well; none of them have had letters for some time. Something is wrong with the mail somewhere. A little mail comes nearly every day and I can't see why our mail does not come. The last letter I got I received Dec 30th and it was mailed Dec 13th but, my dear, I know you have written several letters since and they are somewhere on the road. I have written you four letters since I received one and there is nothing of account transpiring here and therefore I am bothered for material for a letter and I guess it will be rather short as well as dry and you will please to excuse both. I shall not send it today and may get a letter before morning then I will lengthen it out.

The regiment went to town yesterday to work on breastworks but Jud and Blash were on guard the night before and they did not have to go and Job had a little sore throat and they did not take all. The corporal and Bert did not have to go, only Sours of our squad. They are building a line of strong works around close to the city. There is a line here, where we are one mile from the city, that the rebs built and left their big guns in them, but they are too far off and form too large a circle, and it would take too large a force to man them, and I think it is the calculation to hold the place with as small a force as possible and have all the force we can spare to operate in some other quarter, and the short line of works can be defended by a small force. We don't know who will stay here yet to garrison the city. The most of us hope it will be us; if not I think we will not stay here much longer. The reports are that we will soon go to Beaufort to operate against Charleston or Wilmington and there is also a report that Charleston is evacuated. It is uncertain.

My dear I will say goodbye for a little while and will try to write some more this afternoon.

(4 o'clock pm) The boys just gone on dress parade. I should have to go if I was well, but when I was excused from duty by the Dr. I gave my accoutrements to a corporal of this Co by the name of Andrews from Rock Grove. He was one of the color guards on this campaign and he carries the flag now and will till I get well enough. I shall have to tell you what we had for dinner as I went to getting it when I stopped writing. Well we had to have pancakes and Joe said I must mix the ingredients. I told him then he must wait on me and he said he would. The pancakes were made of wheat flour with vinegar and soda and today I put in a little fried meat grease then we cooked them in a frying pan or spider held over the fire and today those we had for dinner were about as nice as any wheat pancakes I ever saw. Maybe you think I brag a little. Alright, yesterday I made some biscuit nearly the same way and they were middling good. We had fried pork and boiled rice for dinner too, and tonight we talk of having some oysters.

Joe and Burt went to the river this forenoon after some, but were too late. They bring them up in small boats when the tide is coming in. It will come in tonight. Dress parade over and Joe and Burt going now after oysters again. Now they cost $1.00 per bushel in the shell. About noon there was heavy cannonading in town. Some salute, and since (then) I have heard that Secretary Stanton was coming up the river in a boat at the time and they were saluting him. I would like to fill this sheet but am afraid I cannot manufacture material enough.


George Cornelia was here today. He is nearly well and came from the hospital today. He is orderly to general Rice's headquarters. Rides a horse and carries orders wherever the general wants to send. He has been there ever since we started from Prospect last spring.
Now my dear write as soon as you get this and write as often as you can. Your letters are ever looked for with eager eyes and welcomed with joy for they bring tidings from those I love with the whole of my poor weak heart. Yes my dear I love you and would like very much to see you and as I can't for a time, letters are the next thing, as it seems a little like talking to you.

How do you get along with your school and everything else? How does the dear children get along? May God bless you and them. Does Nora go to school and how does she perform and how does my little white headed man get along without his ma or pa being with him? Poor little fellow. How I long for this cruel war to come to an end that the little ones may have their pa once more to help to take care of them. Hug and kiss them a lot for me and tell them Pa loves them very much and wants them to be good children mind and love Ma and love and pray for Pa. As I have run out of news and it is most night and I shall have to fix the pancakes for supper, I will say goodbye. My dear ever pray for me and write often to your lonely and affectionate husband.

C.T. Ackley

(13th morn) Nothing going on of any importance that I know of and no letters for any of us. They did not get back with the oysters in time for supper, but I got out a lot for my breakfast. I ate them with pepper and vinegar on and eat pancakes with them. I had cleaned more than I could eat for breakfast. Joe did not have enough and he had gone with Sours after more.

They say that they are enlisting men out of the volunteer service into the regular service. They give eight hundred dollars bounty, $84.00 down and give a sixty day furlough in the state. If it is so I guess it is lots of this regiment will go into it. Not any, though, from Marble Rock, but if they thought they would have to stay the two years out and could enlist for three years only and get the furlough and the big bounty, they would be strongly tempted to go in and then the regulars are entitled to 40 days in their own state each year. That would be 180 days in 3 years and would only lengthen the time 1/2 a year for them to be away from home.

But your soldier thinks he will not have to stay the 2 years and he is in a big hurry for this time to be out and be at home with his loved ones. His time is 1/3 over and he don't ask to lengthen the time anymore. Joe and Sours are here with a bushel of oysters. Goodbye dear loved ones. Write soon. Here is much love to you from your soldier husband and pray for him and give his respects to any that enquire. Goodbye.

C.T. Ackley

If you get a pack of Savannah papers with some fringe the fringe is off the banner the colors of the state of Iowa; we carry state and national colors. The state colors we call the banner and the stars and stripes we call the flag. I carry the flag. After all this sheet is full, if you get tired of reading the silliness excuse me and put it away unread. Love to you and the children. Write immediately. Good by dear one.
C.T.A.












He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I will try to write a little although I have nothing to write as I have received no letters for a long time and have written quite a number of letters since and therefore my pond has run dry. The other boys B Sours, Clay, Joe and Judd B each got a letter yesterday. They were somewhat old, mailed Dec. 17th. But still they were new, and I was considerably disappointed as there was quite a large mail, and I promised myself a letter and perhaps two, but no, not one. Martha wrote to Hiram that the women all felt very bad and discouraged as they had got no letters for some time, and she said they all said it was of no use to write to the boys as they would never get the letters if they did write. But I think my dear wife has too much good sense to quit writing as quick as they don't get mail regularly, for by this time, she knows the soldiers are liable any day to start off on some expedition where there is little or no chance of writing or sending or getting mail. And also that I would not neglect to write two nor even one week when there is any kind of chance, and you do B and the rest ought to B know that we are somewhat anxious to hear from the loved ones at home. Every mail is watched with eager looks and anxious eye, and when the list is read off, some are sad and gloomy. I am getting very anxious to get a letter, yet, my dear one, I can never think you will neglect to write as often as you can [even] if the mail does refuse to bring mail regularly to you. No, my dear, I love you and you love me, and I am far away and letters are the only way I can hear from you. And letters are highly prized. Think of this and don=t get discouraged if the letters are apart some ways.

Jan. 17th. I will write a little this morn so to get my letter ready for the mail tomorrow morning. There is no news here. The regiment are drilling now. Company drill at 9 and the regiment at 2. Yesterday they worked on the works down town. I don't know what to write, only the old story that I love you with all my heart and the dear precious children the same and look forward to the time that I shall be permitted to return with impatient anxiety. Now I want you to write as soon as you can and write all the news about your school, your boarding place, board, and the children. How does Elburn get along there to Amele Martins? Is he lonesome? The poor little dear. If his pa was at home, I guess the dear ones all would not be knocked from pillow to post quite, although he is not a very good pa or kind husband, but he helped a little. Are the children glad to see each other now when they have a chance? Tell them pa loves them and would be very glad to see them. But as he can't now, he wants them to be good as they are all ma has to keep her company. Mind ma and be kind to each other and love each other and pray for us all. Hug and kiss them often for me. Did you ever learn anything about that John Hall timber? If you are at St. Charles, find out by Huntly who it is assessed to. But I guess I will write to Huntly about it. If it is taxed to him B as it should be, it will be sold for taxes, and if so, I should like to bid it off as I think it will never be redeemed. I think Darland or Harr are figuring for it, and if possible, I don't intend [that] they shall get it. I am not entirely well but am gaining, Write soon. I will stop as I may want to write more in the morn. Good bye for today, Love

Morn. I am going to the hospital today as the regiment has marching orders and I am not able to march. Don't worry about me. I will write often. I am getting better. Am weak and bloat some. The doctors say the diarrhea always bloats when it stops running. I don't know where the regiment is a going; we hope only to town. Most of the other troops are leaving town on some expedition. Write often and ever pray for your unworthy absent but affectionate husband. Love to you and the children. Good bye, dear ones for a time.

C.T. Ackley








088 ? 1865?01?16 ? Savannah GA

[This letter fragment was numbered 86 by Larry. In the body of the letter the author declared it was January 25th, and based on the rest of the context, had to be 1865. That would have placed him somewhere between Savannah, Georgia and Pocotoligo, SC, perhaps on the march from one to the other, and therefore right after letter number 69.]

...with a large corn crib near at hand where I could get some food for my ass. The boys had good fires and as I rode up they set up a shout and all had to examine Jack.

I took my knapsack to the doctor the morn of the 20th and told him of my capture and asked if he would take the knapsack, and I would try to get along without the ambulance. He thought it a good plan. We went 8 miles and it rained all the way.

Now, dear, I will close with this. It is January 25th in the afternoon. Yesterday I had such a head ache I did not write, so this will not go till tomorrow morn. This is long and you will think dry, and I don't know as you can read it all. I wrote a letter for a soldier this forenoon that has something the matter with his side and could not write.

My dear, I love you with all my heart and have thought I must have your pictures. But if you have not sent them, you need not as some get broke in pieces before they get here and others in cases get destroyed, and if they should and anything should happen to any of you, the pictures I know they would do me lots of good, but I'd not want them lost.

If Sherman has not paid you, some of the horses ought to be sold. You had better see Mr. Horr and see what he thinks you can do.

My dear, I love you all. Tell the little ones. Write as often as you can.

The talk is now that the troops of our division will leave in the morning.

Write all the news. Give my respects to any that enquire and keep the love to yourself. If you get those papers, help fix it. Use it. Goodbye. I look for a letter tonight or tomorrow. Goodbye dear one. Pray for your affect. husband

C. T. Ackley






He wrote the following letter²¹ This was commenced the 27th and today is the 28th. It will go out in the morn. No. 15 absent, but dear wife I will continue my history today for your edification. But you will perhaps be sorry that you wrote for me to write such lingo to you but you need not read it all unless you want to. I finished a letter to you yesterday but this morn I forgot to put it into the box till it was too late, but I will put it in tonight. That one left off at Nov 20th and I will commence there in this one.

Nov 21st started in the morn. Passed through a very pretty farming country with large farms and plenty of corn and sweet potatoes and some pigs and chickens. But there was mostly other troops in advance and they generally picked up the most of the poultry and pigs, meal, flour, and molasses in the houses near the road. But by going back a short distance from the road they were plenty.

We this day passed a small town, quite a nice one called Monticello, and in the evening we passed another named Hillsboro. We marched 14 miles. 22nd start at 7. Nothing of interest came under my notice. This day we marched 12 miles and camped at S P M. 23rd did not move till 11 AM, passed the town of Clifton. We had men from all reg and companies detailed to forage, and by this time they had a nice drove of cattle, sheep, and hogs driving them along. But the road was full of teams and we had to march most of the way by the side of the road and there was lots of woods and swamps innumerable, and we marched 20 miles taking us till two o'clock in the morn, and by that time the hogs had all gone and most of the sheep. I lost mine three or four miles from where we camped and I had nothing to put on my head and it was a cold frosty night and my head and ears got pretty cold.

The 27th we started at 6:00, only four hours to get supper, breakfast, and sleep. We came to the Georgia Central railroad at Gordon's Station. Some of our troops had got here and tore up the road for some ways. I think it was this day that another fellow on a mile found a nice sheep entangled in a bramble thicket; he held back and I got the sheep and led it a short distance and we came up with the regiment sitting down to rest and we commenced dressing mutton and the reg moved on. We dressed it with case knives; dull. At that we put the meat in a sack, string it on our beast, and left at Gordon Station about noon. I traded Jack for a mule and got $5 to boot and sold my bridle for one dollar. We came up with the reg at 2:00. They had encamped; we staid till morn. The 25th at 6:00 we are again on the move. The load was good and the teams did not bother much and we marched 15 miles and camped at 4 PM. The 26th started early; I took the flag and let the mule go. We marched 8 miles and came to the Oconee River. We crossed the river and went about 8 miles farther and it was pretty late when we encamped.

I got a little behind. I let one of the color guards carry the colors and I took his gun when I lagged behind. The 27th start at 6:00, go 2 miles, and come to the Geo Central Railroad, which we went to tearing and burning; this was 39 miles from Savannah by rail. We destroyed the road 4 or 5 miles, then camped at 4 o'clock. 28th started at 5, came up to our teams 3 miles in our front, and marched 18 or 20 miles through the pine swamps in company with the 3rd division of the 15th corps. They marched one side of the road and we the other and the teams in the road. Had my knapsack carried and several other days. We had to keep the teams close in hand for fear the reb cavalry might make a dash on them and cut off our cracker line, but we did not need many crackers. We only started with 15 days rations and they were to - and did - last us over 30 days as we mostly lived off the country. 29th left camp at 5:00 and march 18 miles through pine woods and swamps with but very few inhabitants or houses or farms. The houses we did see were mostly log, half-chinked, and not 2 mudded. They nearly all use fireplaces; the large houses have generally 2 or 3.

30th start at 52; in one mile came to an old mill, saw and grist mill, all together as they generally are here, and most of the mills are in a dilapidated, as almost everything does here. It is far behind Iowa and we burn up most of the fences as we go; the rails make a good fire. We generally get a good pile, if there was any fences that we could get hold of, and we generally kept a good fire all night and slept with our feet pretty close to it. We went 13 miles, came to a small town called Summerville, and here there was some very good farms and more inhabitants. We march 16 miles.

Dec 1st march 15 miles, mostly swamps. 2nd start at the railroad again, which we went to demolishing. The man that carries the banner taken sick here. We get plenty of fresh pork, some poultry, sweet potatoes, and molasses. Co B on picket at night; the morn of the 3rd we went at the railroad and tore up till 4 PM then recrossed the river and then went 1 mile and camped. 4th left camp at 62, went 12 or 15 miles. Got quite a number of negroes. Passed some very good farms. Heard cannonading on our left.

5th we start at daylight, marched 20 or 22 miles; nothing transpired of interest. We were now on the Savannah Road. 6th lay in camp all day. Gen Bill's orderlies captured quite a number of horses and mules in a swamp not far off; lots of them were captured all along. They were hid in swamps. The negroes would tell where they were.

7th at daylight marched 10 miles, crossed the Ogeechee and here, for the first time, we skirmished with the rebs on this campaign. Job Clark was slightly wounded by a spent ball on the elbow. But he was able to do duty in 4 or 5 days. One other man of the 7th was slightly wounded in the wrist. The 2nd Iowa had several wounded and 2 killed. Came to the Railroad at Edin Station. Went 1 mile back from the station to camp and built breast works and had plenty of rails for fire as here was forms here. 8th start at 8:00, march 8 miles, and camped near a canal leading from the Ogeechee into the country for the purpose of running cotton, rice, and wood out. Build breast works. The governor had issued orders for all citizens to turn out to retard the progress of the yanks through the country, if in no other way, to fall trees across the road, and there was some trees fell across it, but the timber was pine and open and it was just as good going at the side as it was in the road, so it did not retard us much. We can hear the rebs cars from here.

9th start at 9:00, take the Savannah road cross the canal; went about 10 miles and the 2nd brigade get to skirmishing with the rebs. Co B and a ? thrown out as skirmishers and soon we are ordered to double quick it. We took through the bush and over logs for about 1 mile and we came into a road and where the rebs had works, but the 2nd brigade had driven them out in such a hurry that they left two cannon, and they also took the gulf railroad and captured 1 train of cars. We marched 14 miles.

10th march 4 miles, came in sight of the reb camp; their shell came rather close. We maneuver around some and camp at 2 B and it rained all night. There was the little Ogeechee between us and the rebs and large rice fields, and they are fixed so they can be over flowed, and they had let the water on then so it was water about 1 mile. 11th our batteries open brisk in the morn. We marched back about 1 mile and camped in a field with pine trees scattered over it. 12th in camp all day. Had inspection at 3 o'clock. Have had the diarrhea for several and it is getting into the flux.


13th all day in camp; had orders to move at 7:00, but the order was countermanded. Nord McAlister taken today by the 2nd division. 15th at 6 lay in camp without anything turning up till the 17th when my heart was rejoiced to get a fond letter from my beloved wife and also one from A. Inman. Where is he now? He wrote to me that he was going to Hillsdale to go to school but did not tell me where to write. Last night I was awaked about 12 by what I at first thought was very brisk musketry with very heavy cannonading but soon found it was something different as there was a large fire in town and we soon learned it had spread and got to a rebel arsenal where there was a large lot of reb shell and several ton of powder. There was very heavy explosions shaking this house which is 1 mile off. I believe the regim. left this morn. I heard so and they have had orders several days.

You now have my history thus far and now answer as soon as you can. Accept the sincere love of my heart and tell the dear children Pa loves them very much. Kiss them well for me. Tell them to be good and pray for Pa. Goodbye, my dear, and write often and pray for your absent soldier and affection husband.

C. T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I will try this morning to pen you a few lines to inform you that I am still in the land of the living and am gaining in health and am in hopes that in a few days I shall be able to do duty. Our division, we heard, were up the Savannah river 60 miles, and are there crossing. The 20th and part of the 14th Corps is there also, I believe. They were going to send some of the boys that were able to march to their regiment this morning, but the boat left before they were ready and they put it off till tomorrow. There is nothing of interest going on here and not much news of importance from any place. It is generally thought that Wilmington will soon fall. It is rumored that General Howard, with a part of the army of the Tennessee, have arrived there from this point. They left here on transports for Beaufort some time ago.

I went to town yesterday, the first time I have been in the town much. We are in the south part. It is quite a nice town with many very nice businesses housed, but the business is not there. It is rather dry. The largest dry goods store has not as large a stock as Rosenkran had when he first started, but the prices make it more valuable. A hat like mine I left at home cost from 3 to 5 dollars, a calico shirt $5.00, boots from 10 to 25. Groceries are enough to make ones eyes stick out of his head: Butter 90 cts and 100, cheese 50 to 60, potatoes 125 per peck. I bought 30 cts worth of onions and got about 35 onions and some of them were pretty small. Apples 3 for a quarter. I got 4 yesterday of an old cit for a quarter but think I shall not buy many more. I have bought 1 lb of butter and yesterday morn I bought a pint of oysters for 20 cts. They have fell; a day or 2 ago they sold for a dollar a quart, yesterday 40 cts. I have spent a great deal more money since we came to Savannah than I have in all, since I have been in the army. But I guess it is about time to hold up, as I am getting a good appetite and can eat almost anything. But I think I shall get 1/2 gallon of molasses if I can get an order from the quarter masters. They say at the commissary we can get it for 80 cts per gallon, much cheaper than the butter I have. I have a little butter yet and when we have meat, I don't eat it. I don't think I will buy anymore

The weather is warm now and it is just 1 year today that I left you. One long year since I saw the loved face of my dear wife and little ones. It has been a long weary year filled with many sad changes. My dear little angel of my flock has left us for his home in glory; although it is a very sad thought, yet true, but it is his gain and I pray God that he may give us hearts to thank him for his rich mercy in sparing us as much as he has. We have two in heaven and two yet with us and I pray for strength that we may ever be willing to do his will. Oh may he hasten the crushing of this rebellion and returning friends to their homes and families. We are all anxious for peace, but no true soldier that has a spark of patriotism in him is willing to accept peace in any terms except submission to the government and the law, and we are in hopes it will be speedily obtained. My dear loved one, a year's absence has not cooled my love for you, but has deepened it. Being deprived of the great blessing of your company, sympathy, and assistance and love, I can begin to see a little of your great worth and see where I was careless and neglectful of so precious a prize. Forgive me, Dearest, all harshness and neglect, and if God spares me, I will try to show my thankfulness to him by being a better husband and father. Tell N and E that Pa loves them very much and would give a great deal to press his family to his breast. Tell them to be good and pray for Ma and Pa and themselves. Hug and kiss them for me.

How do you get along with your school? I hope you will have no trouble. I hear Gideon is beauing Mary Cornelia. Is he very fast after her? Write soon as you can as I am anxious for a letter and can't write much till I get one. Pray for your soldier husband.
C. T. Ackley

I will put in a few apple seeds you may plant if you get a chance. The apples are from the north. How are those trees that came up the seeds we plow?(?)
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife,

It is about 1 o'clock in the morn and I am going to start for the regiment at 7 or 8 and got awake and thinking about the dear ones far away, and I thought I would get up and write you a few lines, as I may not get a chance very soon, as I don't know how soon the army may cut loose from all communications, and if they do soon, as it is expected they will, it may be a long time before I can write or get a chance to send a letter if I can write. So, dearest, if you don't get a letter in some time do not worry, but think that I am somewhere in South Carolina doing my best with the other soldiers to put down this infernal rebellion, and as the name of Sherman is victory and success, you may look for a big strike somewhere, and I guess no one, only an ever present God and General Sherman knows where. And pray, dear loved wife, that God may ever be with us and that his hand may be ever stretched over us to keep and preserve, and that he will show his almighty power in bringing this war to speedy, just, and honorable close. For as tired as I am of war and as bad as I want to be at home with the loved ones, I do not want a peace on any terms that will bring any dishonor to the old flag. But I want the law enforced in all the length and breadth of the land and our government upheld and maintained.

I think things look favorable on every hand. Our armies are victorious on every hand and the rebel leaders begin to show signs of trying to get out of the scrape. The divisions among the reb congress and the leaders is a good sign, and I pray that we may see more of it, as we read in the book of books that a house divided against itself cannot stand, and may God speed the downfall, is my prayer and the prayers of all loyal and patriotic people. We do not hear very much news, but it is generally good. I have got no letter for some time, but am in hopes when I get to the regiment, I shall get some, if they don't send it to the hospital before I get there. I expect to be with it tonight or tomorrow. They are at present up the river about 75 miles, but we heard they had the bridges done and were nearly all across. They had a long swamp to bridge and to corduroy and I expect they will not stay there long. It is called Sisters Ferry.

I finished a letter to Jim's yesterday and it will go when this does. Now, dear beloved wife, remember that although far away, surrounded by people of all sorts, that I still love you with all my heart and pray that God will give you health and strength to bear the heavy burdens devolving on you, and that he will hasten the time that I may return to you, and that I may be a better and kinder husband and father, and that I may try to smooth the rough path of life for you. Forgive, dearest, all the injuries or neglects you have received from me, which are many. Tell the dear children Pa loves them very much and would give a great deal if he could be with you all. I want them to be good children and pray often for Ma and Pa. Oh dear, do hug and kiss them for Pa. Now dear, write as often as you can, for I am so anxious to know how you and the little dears get along. Oh cruel war, what hast thou done? Why must thou tear so many families asunder and when wilt thou be satisfied with blood and tears?

How do you get along? Is Elburn much pleased when he gets a chance to see his dear Ma and sister? How does Nora perform with you? How does the school go off? Has Sherman paid you? Are they much afraid of the draft? Write all the news you know and as often as you can and ever pray for your absent but affectionate husband, C. T. Ackley. I will go to bed again soon. Good night, dear one. May the kind Lord bless you.to E.D. Ackley(?)

Direct as formerly: Co B 7th Iowa Inft. Good bye. George Cornelie is still quite sick, but was better last night. Good night, much love to you, dear one.




He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear and much loved wife,

I seize a few spare moments to converse with you, although many miles away. I am well at present and doing well as a soldier has a right to expect. We are in a large house surrounded by green trees, live oak and Cedar and another kind; I don't know its name. I don't know anything about where the regiment is and I have got no letters and can't guess when I will. We left Blairs landing the 16th, for this place; 8 miles the troops marched, but I and a lot of the headquarter boys came up the river in a boat with the officers' baggage. It was a row boat about 80 feet long, but the tide was coming in and took us along quite easy. I have a room about 16x20 here with a fireplace, much the better place I have been quartered in since I came to Dixie. Water is good and handy. The house stands on a rise that slopes each way and is raised about 10 feet from the ground, a southern fashion to make them cool in hot weather, and there is a hall running through the centre of the house. There is nothing much going on here. There is no one here that I ever knew till I went to the hospital, and only one that I saw there. The ones that I came from the hospital (with) are about four miles off. They are scattered around in small commands.

The weather is warm; it is about 3 pm and the window is open and the sun shines on my back and makes it pretty warm. There is three windows in my room but the sash is gone and there is shutters. I have been washing today. I washed one pair of drawers for myself, and two shirts. The same for the Commissary Sergeant, and each of us a towel and some dish cloths. The darkies are coming in quite freely, mostly women and children. (I said it was 3 o'clock but now it is 8.) I have just got my supper dishes out of the way. I generally get supper before dark, but the Sergeant major came in and said the Commissary Sergeant wanted me to go with him and help to draw our rations, and he then had gone and I had to double quick it as I did not know where I was to go. We went to the bridge about one and 1/2 miles, but we rode back and it was dark before we got back, and it was so sudden on me that I had not made much calculation for supper, although I put the hard tack to soak soon after dinner. Maybe you would like to know what we had for supper. Well, Coffee, Sugar Crackers, Hardtack Crackers, crumbed up and soaked, then grease put into them, then boiled till there was no water to boil, a onion cut up and boiled with them, then salt and pepper. Serve hot and some onion cut up in vinegar and cold boiled rice; that ought to make a fellow fat, had it not, and I am getting fat and stout every day. If I had been strong I don't know as I should have gone to cooking, but they would have made me take a gun and do a common soldier's duty, which I should not have had to if I was with the regiment, and here if we have to move I have no gun or anything but my own baggage now. We have not settled. I shall not have it very hard while we stay here, and none but the good Lord knows how long that will be.


If I could only get letters I should like to stay here till the war was over or my time out and if I knew we was going to stay any length of time I could have it come here, but it might be if I should have it sent here as it was in the hospital, I'll leave before it has time to get here and if it has the regiment, it will not come here and if it is not on and came here and I left the regiment, it might not follow. I will try to find out some more about it before I send this, which I want to do tomorrow. You better think that I want to get a letter from you pretty bad but it does no good to chafe about it, but I can't help but let it bother me some. I am anxious to know of the health of my dear family. Dear ones, I never knew how to price home and a pleasant and loving family, as a merciful kind and benevolent Parent ...to bless as unworthy creatures as I am, for I feel that I am unworthy of the rich blessing, but have been remarkably blessed and preserved, yet sad thoughts will intrude themselves into my mind as I think of home and the hardships endured by the loved ones there, which I might lighten in a measure if I was with you, and then thoughts of the little mounds on the prairie, one the grass has long covered and will the other, before I am permitted to look upon it. But then it is a consoling thought that war or any of the ills and pains of this earth has no effect upon them. But they wear the crown of life and are this night singing the praises of our dear Savior around his eternal throne. Two in heaven and two still left to us. It at times seems impossible that the precious little Emerson David is gone from us, but the reality comes. Then I think he is with our dear Savior, for of such is the kingdom of heaven, then to think of the terrible pain and suffering he underwent during his short sojourn on this wicked world, all of which he left behind. I am led to say Oh! Lord thy will be done and, as David, they can never come to us, but we can go to them. Dear, let us think of two angels in heaven and strive to live so that when the Lord calls, we will join them around the throne.

how do you get along with your school and how does Nora and Elburn get along? God bless the dear little precious ones and may he interpose his almighty arm to stop this inhuman war that is bringing so much suffering throughout the whole land. It looks favorable as far as I can see and hear but we don't hear much news here. I can't see any possible chance of their holding out much longer as they have lost most of their territory and the best of their cities and Grant can hold his own only a little more and Sherman with an invincible army is moving again through their country bringing dismay in all their camps, as they don't know where he will strike. He makes a feint on one point and makes them think he is coming while he strikes a telling blow in some other quarter.

I sometimes think that no one but Sherman knows anything of his plans, only as they develop themselves. One thing is certain: he keeps his own counsel well and keeps mum so that people are lost in trying to foresee what he intends to do, and then Thomas is in another quarter with a large army of braves and he is not idle. Then the division at Richmond among the leaders and the squirming at the top of the roost, then the once deluded States are getting their eys(?) and leaving Jeff to shift for himself. Tennessee has nominated old parson Brownlow for governor and will doubtless elect him, and if so that state is all right, for woe be to him that is caught in arms against the old flag; with Brownlow at the head backed by a majority of the people it will be an unhealthy place for traitors and rebels. Now, dear wife and children, remember that away down in South Carolina is one that loves you with a whole heart and ever thinks of you as a part of himself and stands in need of your prayers and of all praying people. Pray for your affectionate but unworthy husband. Kiss the dear lambs and tell them Pa wishes he was where he could do some kissing. Tell Pa loves them very much and wants them to be good and pray that God will be with their Pa and keep him from harm and sin and wickedness.

I often wish myself at home but what is a home without a country and laws to protect us? Yes dearest, I feel it is my duty to help save our country. Write as often as you can and all the news. Give my best wishes to any that may enquire. How has the winter been? What was our taxes? Have you got the redemption money on that tax land? It ought to be enough to pay the taxes. How do you get along for money? I have plenty yet. Accept the heart's love of your absent and affectionate soldier husband.
C.T. Ackley

He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife,

Although I sent you a letter today, I thought I would spend a few passing moments in the pleasant occupation of writing to you, as it is next to the pleasantest thing that I can busy myself about here in Dixie. But the most pleasant employment is reading your precious and ever welcome letters.

I have just been reading one written Jan 8th, the last one I have. It is rather old and yet 'tis new and will be, I guess, for some time, as I don't see any far prospect of getting any mail or of getting to the regiment. If I could know I was going to stay here long enough to have good quarts and know each night where I am going to sleep and don't have to sleep on the ground or out in the storm when it is stormy.

But another reason I am anxious to be with the regiment is, if I am away from it too long I may loose my position as color bearer, as there is plenty that would like it first rate and will try their best when I am away. But the Colonel and Captain are friendly to me and I hardly think it would be easy to supersede me if I do say it, neverless it is true that I never have been punished in anyway or even reprimanded for anything since I have been with the 7th, and that is more than most man can say, and unworthy I have been pointed as a model to some that gave out on the Savannah march for a mere trifle and wanted to get into the ambulance. But I don't know anything of the whereabouts of the regiment and have heard no news since I have been here.

It is about 8 in the evening and one of the boys is sitting at the table. He is the Commissary of this detachment. His name is Haines. He belongs to the 11th Illinois Cavalry. One of the clerks by the name of Boyd belongs to the 63rd Illinois, the other clerk to an Illinois Battery and the other of my messmates belongs to the 35 New Jersey. Well scattered are we now.

Two colored women came in today. There was a lot went from here today, about a dozen or 15 men, women, and children. They are going to Beaufort. One woman and several children came over 30 miles on foot. What kind of trip would that be for my dear wife and little ones? Oh, I hope they may never have to (???) do to give the institution of slavery a good coloring. Think of beings that will do this for freedom and might be intelligent was it not for the accursed institution [of slavery], as the young ones appear keen and smart as any children. As far as I can see this woman was rather a green and dilapidated one. She said she had 9 children and some of them as large as I am.

I was at the spring and 2 of them came there to wash, then one asked me if I left a family at home. I told her of my treasures. She said you must be young not to have more children I told her I was 31 and had been married over 10 years. She said you breed pretty slow. She said she bred very young and I guess she must for I don't think she was over thirty and her 3 boys came this morn; two was nearly as large as I am and one had quite whiskers.

What do you think of an institution places the value of woman on her breeding? Think of it! Think of bringing up girls to think the younger they commence, and the faster, enhances their importance and value, and inducements are held out and they are urged in every way every day.


I become more and more disgusted with this curse of mankind, though I don't want to have the Negroes thick around where I live, yet I say break every shackle, and then we of the north will not be any more troubled with them as the climate does not suit them and the government is already making provision for them. I think I sent you a paper from Savannah with Sherman's order in regard to their being settled on the vacant land formerly occupied by their masters, and the government sent an officer there with full power to settle them and give them titles.

There was one man among them that came in yesterday which had lost his right arm by a threshing machine. He was very smart and intelligent. He formerly lived in Kentucky and came here four years ago and the rebs would not let him go home. He was a speculator on a small scale, said he made lots of money in buying and selling and trading horses and cattle. He said he had 15 head of cattle and 9 good horses and hogs and grain, and a short time ago he had been away and when he came home, his cousin that lived with him was scared almost to death, and she told him the soldiers had took everything he had.

He said he asked her if it was Wheeler's men. She said not, it was Sherman's. He said he was glad of it; if the Yankees did not get it the Rebs would. Then he went and saw some of them and they told him to come here to these headquarters and we would send him to Beaufort and he would get pay for all they had taken from him and said he is glad the Yankees took it for if the rebs have taken it he would never expected anything. He started for Beaufort with the rest of them this morn.

One woman that came yesterday is cooking for Col. Henry. She said the rebs was going to take her along but she got away and she had two children and she had to leave them as they're too small to walk, and she had to hurry. She worries about them they are 8 miles off and someone talks of going with her after them tomorrow .

I guess you will get tired of reading so much nigger and say I wish he would stop. I guess he had nigger on the brain pretty severe. But I do not fancy them anymore than I did before I came from home, and have no desire to associate with them, but I always was an enemy to oppression in any form, and here I see the effects of it in its worst form.

Although they are ignorant, yet we are anxious to hear each one's story, as they come in. They say the rebs tried to make them believe the Yankees would take them to Cuba or some other place and sell them. The woman that came so far said she came through Branchville after Sherman had been through there and said the Yankees burnt most all the big houses there. I said, "They are mean." She said, "Who is mean?" I said, "The Yankees." She said they are not mean to her, and the rebs had 'bused her long enough, and she was glad to see them punished .

Now my dear and much loved ones, I must bid you good night and good bye for it is time for me to lie down. I wish it was with my loved ones that I was going to rest. Pray for me, dearest, that I may ever be faithful. I don't know as I shall finish this for a day or two, and by that time something may turn up. Good bye well now, love, and goodnight. Kisses to you all.

21st Dear ones, I will try to finish my letter today so it will start for home in the morn. Oh, if I could start the same time, but I will try to wait, patiently, God's own good time. Pray that I may trust him.






He wrote the following letter²¹ My dear wife,

Yesterday, in reading in an old magazine (Harpers for June, 1860) I found some poetry that made such an impression on my mind that I am continually thinking of it and I will send it to you. It is so applicable to our case that I think you would like to read it. When I first read it, I thought, Tomorrow is just two years since the Dear little pet was given to us, and I wanted to write yesterday, but did not, and today would be his birthday, and if he was here, he would be two years old. The poetry was written about a little girl, but where her name comes in, we can read it "Emmerson" and where "her" or "she" we can read "he" or "him."

I want to send you the whole magazine, but don't know as I can send it from here, and then stamps are scarce here at Savannah. I bought some, but have not found any for sale here yet and I don't expect to get any letters from you soon. There is a story in it that I would like to have Julina read, and you would like to also. But it applies to her exactly. If I send it, I will mark the piece. It is entitled "You Was Always Such a Fool."

The weather is very fine here at present and it seems to be healthy here now and we live very well. We caught a 3 year old heifer last night and killed her and we at headquarters has a hind quarter and the liver. The Col had 2 of that and I the other 2. We had fried liver for breakfast and for dinner we had beef soup with rice in it, and there was some cold liver left this morn and I cut that up with some other meat and onions and rice and boiled it and put some grease in it and it was good. Some of the boys said it made them think of some of their mothers' old dishes. We made out a dinner and two strangers came in as we was getting done and they eat and there was some left, and I am going to cut more onions and meat and mix it all together for supper. We have coffee three times a day.

Yesterday we got the good news, if true, that Charleston was ours, with a large number of prisoners, and today the news was confirmed, and I am in hopes it is true. Sherman has not been nigh there. He was near Columbia the last we heard from him. He is hard to keep track of and yet he makes a big track where he goes. It will take years to obliterate his tracks through Dixie.

Now, dear one, write as often as you can and as much. Don't let it make any difference if I can't get letters now, for they will come good bye and by, and, dearest, ever let your prayers ascend on high for your soldier husband, that the dear Savior may ever be nigh to guide and keep me in the path that leads. I am among strangers in a strange land associated with all sorts of characters, yet there is not as much profanity and interference to be seen here as there is when with the regiment.

We are about 80 rods from the nearest camp of soldiers. There is at headquarters Lieut Col W.A. Henry, commanding; Lieut Gordon, acting assistant Adjutant general; two clerks; four orderlies; a wench cooking for Colonel; a boy with the Colonel; and myself, and they have something to do other than to drink or to gamble. All the games I have played is Chess and, dear, ever remember that, although far away, that I still love you with all the powers of my weak heart, and tell the precious little ones that I still love them and Ma very much and would give a good deal if he could see them and hug and kiss them. There would be some tall hugging and kissing, if I was there. I expect I should have to shave then; that I could do very easy. Tell the little ones to be good and pray for Ma, Pa, and themselves and every body.


How do you get along with your school? It will be most out by the time you get this and I shall have served 14 months and only 22 more, so keep up good spirits as times roll around. It will soon be half of my time, and I still think the war will be wound up so I can get home before three years are up. Still looks favorable. Only see the main towns and strongholds falling steadily, one in quick succession after another, and at the capital of the rotten and trembling confederacy, the leaders are beginning to squirm as if they felt their time was short. Although their peace commissioners did not amount to anything, yet it was a good sign indicating that they saw the end approaching.

How does Elburn get along with M & J? I guess he wants to see Ma and Nora sometimes and is much pleased when he has an opportunity. Poor little fellow, he so young, pure, and innocent must suffer by the wickedness of men. This war is no respect of persons. All must suffer. If only the guilty had to feel it, I would not care, but they will feel it in the end in the next life, if not in this. Dear, let us pray and fight all we can to help on the good cause.

Is Nora a good girl? Does she learn to read? Tell her to try to learn so she can read Pa's letter and write to him. But I have spun this out pretty long and must close. Accept the love of your affectionate husband. Write often and pray. My love to the children and respects to any that may inquire. Write soon and pray often to and for your soldier husband.

C T Ackley

As I was writing the Adjutant came in and said, give her my love. I said guess he don't know I am married. He is from Ohio and is good natured and jolly and is not any older if as old as I am.


























He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear loved wife and children,

I am bound to bore you with letters to make up in part for my being in a situation where I can't get letters from you and I do the next best thing, that is to write to you, and I guess you will get tired of so many letters without anything of interest in them, and if you get tired of reading them, lay them by for use if I go where I can't send letters to you. I don't know as I shall, but we don't know one hour what will turn up the next or where we shall be.

The weather still is fine and we hear cannonading way off. Don't know where it is or what they are doing. It commenced yesterday, and as the guns are very heavy, I guess the Yanks are knocking at some place, and if so it will open to them.

I dreamed last night of being at home and putting the precious treasures in their bed. Then Pa had to get in between them and Ma can sleep alone. The boys say I talked and grunted in my sleep and made a great fuss last night.

The boys I cook for had to give up their sleeping room to a doctor and a quartermaster that came yesterday, and they brought their blankets in my kitchen and slept here. We lay our blankets down and sleep on the floor. We have no bunks and I guess we will not make any as there is not room in here for them. I was going to fix me one, but now there is no room.

I do not expect to finish this letter for a day or two, but thought I would begin it and if we get marching orders I can soon have it ready, so if we start from here I shall want to let you know it, so that you will not worry about me if you don't get letters quite as often as you could wish. Dear, if you are disappointed in getting letters, do not get discouraged but ever remember whether absent or present, sending letters or not, that I still love you with all my heart and ever think of you as the Idol of my heart.

Yesterday, dearest, I think more and more of you and the children every day. Kiss them often for me and tell them Pa loves his family very much and wants his dear children to be good and kind to their grand and precious mother and each other and pray that God will help them to be good and pray for Ma and Pa. I must stop, as I can think of nothing to write. Good bye, dear ones, far away and may God bless and preserve and strengthen you and hasten the angel of peace that shall say to us to return to comfort our wives and little ones as the war has ceased, liberty truth and justice have triumphed, rebellion and treason in this lovely land is slain, and it shall be in truth the home of the oppressed of all nations, truly the land of the free and the home of the brave once more. Good bye for a little while.

24th I again resume my pen to write a little more in this, thus far, dry and uninteresting letter and I don't expect to make much improvement, only in length, but as I love you so much, I think I will make up in part for being deprived of conversing with you in any other way and I know you love me and expect letters often and if you get them with the news of my welfare you will excuse their dryness.


The weather is not quite as fine as it has been for sometime. It is raining some, yesterday and today. My dear ones, I don't know what to write, only I love you with all my heart and am looking forward to the time when I shall be permitted to return to you and clasp you to my heart. I guess you and the children, they have grown so much, will make a lap full for me when I do come home. But there will be a place left vacant. Seems hard to part with him, but it is his gain and, my dear, let us try to live so that we can say from our hearts the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

I have just been reading one of your letters written soon after the departure of the little pet about your fixing his last dress and combed his precious locks and pressed the last kiss on his cold brow. Oh that I could have been there. But the Lord willed otherwise, and I have no doubt but he doeth all things well, and rebels and traitors have arisen against our homes and threatened them with destruction and all true and patriotic men, all that loved their homes and their families, their God, and their country, were called to rush to the rescue and drive back the inhuman and merciless foe and now it looks as if the work of the soldiers was nearly done.

They are nearly driven to the wall on all sides and nearly every breeze brings joyful tidings of victory. Charleston, the very seat of rebellion, is in our hands. It was evacuated by the rebs. We did not take many prisoners but a lot of our prisoners were retaken. Sherman occupied Columbia the 18th and is marching along as, it seems to us, with his face set as a flint Richarmondward. But it is hard to tell where he will turn up. It is rumored that they are leaving Richmond and preparing for a great fight somewhere in North Carolina. It is generally thought that soon there will be one of the severest battles fought that this country ever felt. If our side wins, it will probably be a decisive one. Columbia is the capitol of South Carolina. Sherman left there and when last heard from, he was somewhere in North Carolina. He moves relentlessly, as a tempest sweeping everything before him.

There is some rebs brought in here nearly everyday. They say they were trying to get away from the rebs and some of them tell the truth and that some of them that were sent from here yesterday said they had found out that they had been fighting against their own interest. They were smart looking and intelligent. This is a dry place. We have enough to eat but can't buy anything. The commissary Seargent went to Blair's Landing day before yesterday and got back last night. He bought some stamps and gave 5 cts a piece for them and I only had 3 and I gave him 60 cts for twelve. I wish I knew how long we was going to stay here but no one can tell till it is about time for us to go, so I can't tell when I will get any letters. But I want you to keep writing so that I will see all that has been going on all the time.

Negroes are coming in every day. They send them to the Landing and the most of them go to Beaufort. We have a little milk. There was two cows left here. The colonel has one and we have the other. She is small and the ugliest thing I ever saw. She kicks and hooks, both. She has kicked me over several times and don't give a pint of milk at a time. This morn we thought we would let them loose and I went to tie ours head and foot, and she kicked me in the face and turned me over sudden, but did not hurt me much. I don't know but they have left and don't care much.

I am running dry. If it does rain hard I will have to stop, by giving you and the children my love and good night kisses. It is most supper time and I will leave this till night or in the morn. I am doing a slight business in the tobacco line. I bought $5.25 worth and have sold the most of it. Will (make?) between one and two dollars. I have not tried much to sell it. If I could get it from the Landing, I could sell a lot, or if I could get it from Hilton Head, I could make it pay first rate. Good bye, dear ones. Love and kisses for you all.


25th Dear, precious ones. I will try to fill this sheet. It is cloudy, but has not rained any today. I have got a darkey to help me a little. He brings wood and water and I feed him. There are 6 or 8 here and it is hard for them to get enough to eat and this one 12 or 14 years old. I told him if he would work some for me I would give him something to eat. We have hard tack and meat enough. Nothing has transpired as I have heard since writing the above. They talk of sending a squad of men out with these darkies 18 miles where they came from. They say there is flour meal, molasses, and other edibles hid in the swamp and one man they know has 16 horses hid and they will pilot us to them. I want to go along but don't know as I shall.

Good bye, dear wife and little ones. How I want to see you and can't even hear from you. But there is a good time coming. Keep up good spirits and write often. I love you with all my heart and the dear children also, and I want you to write and I will get lots of precious letters by and by. Good by and ever pray for your absent husband, unworthy but affection husband.

C T Ackley

He wrote the following letter²¹ My Dear wife

I will try to write you a few lines & I guess it will be few this evening as it has been so long since I have had any letters & have written so many & news is very scarce here. Therefore you will please excuse the briefness of this letter & also its dryness for it must of necessity be uninteresting.

I am alone at present & it is about 8 o'clock & quite warm out. But a few nights ago there was quite a frost. The fare part of the evening one of the soldiers was in here & then I went to the quarter of the orderlies a few minutes & then the Col called the orderlies to have their cook (a darkey) get supper for 8 reb deserters that had just came in, making 11 that had come in & given themselves up today. 3 were sent to Blairs Landing before dark. One had a horse. They are coming in every day nearly.

I wish I had kept account of all that had come in since we have been here. I think 100 would not cover the number (just had to go out & I looked into the orderlies to see the rebs. They are very good looking old & young. 1 with almost a white head) & I think that is doing quite well for a place so far from any army as this. An out of the way place. Men & papers say they average 300 (three hundred) coming into Grant's lines daily but I hardly think quite as many as that, but have no doubt there is lots of them coming there & they are coming in at every point.

I have talked with many of them & they nearly all tell one story: that they are sick & tired of the war & are discouraged & are bound to leave the army & come to their homes as fast as they can & that they have been whipped a long time & would have been better for them all if they had give up a long ago & commenced deserting if there had been no other way to get out of it. I don't know any of the circumstances of these but think I can find out something before I finish this letter in the morn.

I discharged Jim this morn as we have so many comers our rations would not hold out & then if I went out in the evening there would be 2 or 3 more in here & the boys as well as myself did not like that & there is only 2 besides myself & the work is not hard. I am in the ring business; have 6 or 8 underway.

Morning 15 Feb [Ed's. note: We assume that this should be March, not February.

Everything alright this morn as far as I know. Warm & cloudy. A man belonging to the 2ed Kentucky Cavalry staid with me last night. He came with the reb deserters. They belonged to a South Carolina regiment & say their reg has nearly all left the rebs & what have not came in to our lines are still in the woods & swamps. They left at Florence S C & were 8 days getting into our lines. They feel highly pleased to know they are under Yankee rule & with the prospects of peace. One of the boy 17 or 18 had been into our lines before & been to Hilton Head. Went scouting in the country to pilot others in also.

A old preacher living just outside our lines has lived there all of the time but freed his slaves & sent them off when the war first broke out to keep them from the rebs. He came in with them to Headquarters & is going with them to the landing where they are going to take the oath. Then they will return to their former homes in this vicinity. I expect you have heard of the capture of reb General Early & another of his generals & all his cannon & a large number of his troops by Phil Sheridan, the Irish general that is some like Billy Sherman.


Never still we have not heard the particulars of the fight between Sherman & Beauregard, yet expect to get some news today as a boat came in at the head from New York & others boats came from there to Blairs Landing & the commissary Sergeant is after rations & will be back today. More darkies coming in now & last night. Almost dark a lot of them came in & started for Beaufort. I hear they are recruiting darkies pretty fast at Beaufort.

I have thoughts some of going in to that business but it takes so long to send mail & get return & I would have to send to Gov Stone for a recruiting commission & he would have to send it to Washington for approval & by that time I might be far from this place where there is not such a chance so I did not send. Another fellow sent to the gov of Ohio & if he gets his papers he wants me to help him.

There was quite a scare night before last, but we didn't hardly know it till it was all over. After we had gone to bed a lot of troops came here from the landing; they said they heard we were fighting & we heard nothing about it & saw or heard no rebs. A scouting party went out in their supposed direction 8 miles in the night & came back in the morn & saw or heard nothing of rebs & so they went back to Blairs Landing again.

It is reported that Hood is in here somewhere but he does not make his appearance yet. I think there is not much danger here as we have outposts on all the roads & all around is swamps & if we are attacked we can soon get help from the landing if they are too strong for us. There is enough behind the works we have here to keep back a large force but we are composed of such a mixed up mess. There are men here from all states almost & from all regiments belonging to the 15th & 17th A C & many of them conscripts & substitutes & they are some afraid of balls & shell.

It is sure that Sheridan had a regiment of drafted men in some of his fights & he ordered a charge to take a battery & the conscripts did not move. Sheridan rode up to them & said why don't you forward a screen & says "General you can draft us but you can't make us fight." With one blow of his sword he split that sergeant's head open & told the rest if they did not go on he would order the whole force to fire into them & they went then but the rebs have time to get some of the guns away.

Now, dear ones, I will bring this to a close, but must say that I still love you with all my heart & look forward with pleasure when I will be permitted to clasp you into my heart again & be returned to my home & see the face of my dear wife & children & hear the sweet sound of their voice & enclose them all in my arms again. Dear ones I love you all very much. All dear wife & children also & hope & pray the time will soon come that we may be united on earth again & that we may have Bairns & hug them for me very often for Pa. Oh! How I wish I could do my own hugging & kissing & as I can't you will please to be my agent & I will pay you when I get there. Love to you all. Write often & ever pray for your affectionate but unworthy husband.

C.T. Ackley












He wrote the following letter²¹ My dear Wife,

I will try to commence a letter to you so that I may not give you too much rest between letters. It is nearly dark, and I shall not write much tonight. I got my things to write (with) this afternoon, and for the want of a new letter, I went to reading old ones written by my dear wife, and the time passed so swiftly that it was time to get supper before I had made a scratch. The sergeant has gone to the landing after rations, and I have only Boyd and your Affectionate Husband to get supper, but it takes a lot for one of them, you can testify, and Boyd just came in to drink some cold coffee, and he put it on the fire to warm a little and then went to dancing around the room to help my writing, and now it is too dark and I will wait till candle light. Love to you all. Goodnight.

I resume my pen. There was quite an excitement here about dark before I quit writing. I saw the colonel and his aide-de-camp, a Negro, and a soldier going pretty fast. Boyd says there is something up. Soon I went out, and the aide was coming back fast and he ordered his horse and the colonel=s to be saddled as soon as possible. We threw the saddles on instantly; then they left with a lot of soldiers from the camp about 30 rods from us. The Negro (had) reported that the Rebs (were) in a field in sight of our pickets. The colonel is back, was gone about an hour. It is nearly 2:00, and the aide and soldiers are not back. I don=t know what the colonel saw or heard. He wanted his horse left saddled, but since has ordered the saddle off. I guess there is not much danger of the Rebs in much force. My dear and much-loved wife, I still love you with all my heart and often wish myself by your side with the children around my knees and often pray that time to hasten. Last night I was having a visit home in my dream and something disturbed me. I thought I heard musket fire pretty lively, and I told you it was pretty heavy skirmishing and then I thought I heard a canon and told you to listen to hear the shell burst, and the bursting woke me up, and there was a considerable noise, running around and talking, and soon heard the colonel call for the sergeant of the guard. Someone had been with or trying to get with a wench that cooks for the officers. The colonel shot at him with his pistol, and I guess that is what woke me up. The wench has been here only 2 or 3 days.

Sunday, March 19th. My dear loved ones, you will see by the dates that I have been some time writing for which you will please excuse me as yesterday was the day to draw rations, and I had to bother with them some, and I did not feel very well the night before last and yesterday, and therefore I could not set myself to writing: it was not because I did not love you or did not wish for you to get letters often, for I love you, and it seems much more and more every day. But not feeling well and having no news to write, it was hard to do it, but I will try to finish it today. It is very pleasant and makes me want to be at home and going to church with my loved ones or walking out in the fields, but I expect it is not as warm there as here. But if at home, I could spend the time agreeable to me cold or warm. I made a trade yesterday and got a good overcoat for a ring of my manufacture and 50 cents in money. The ring cost me nothing, only the making, so you can see the coat cost me only 50 out. It is nearly as good as the one I sent home, not quite. The ring was South Carolina silver like those I sent to the children, and I had to finish the ring yesterday and that kept me some from this letter. And yesterday I had a present of a $5 bill, pretty good present if it was a greenback, but bad luck to it (as) it is confederate and likewise worthless: it is worth nothing here, although the man that gave the $5 to me got a knife worth about a $1 for $20 in confederate, and he bought a good blanket for 10 and another bought a good overcoat for 20.

I am at a loss to know what to write, only (that) I love you and want to see you very badly, and I am writing to get a letter from you myself. I think I will soon as I have been here over a month. I will get one soon, I think, if I stay here and hear nothing about leaving. Tomorrow is Elburn's 4th birthday. How I should like to be there to hug and kiss and spank the precious little white-headed 4-year-old and the others also. I wish I had something to send to him worthy of his pure and innocent little body, and as I can do no better, I will send my love and lots of hugs and kisses, which you will, as my legal agent, see that he gets. The same to you, my precious and much loved wife, and also to my dear daughter. I shall still continue to hope and pray for a speedy termination of this unholy, unjust, and cruel war and a safe return to my precious family. Tell the little ones that Pa loves them very much and sends them hugs and kisses and wants them always to be good children and to love and help Ma and each other and pray for all of us. You don=t know how anxious I am to hear from you, but you can imagine a part as I have had no news from you since the 11th of January, over two months, and you had only just begun your school and you did not know how you would get along with them. You or the pets may be sick and I can hear nothing about it. But you are not to blame as I am not in one place long enough to get (your letters), but if you answered the first I wrote after I came here, I will soon get one if I stay here.

You, my dear, suffer a great deal by this war, much more than I want you to, and I would soon end it if possible. But the women of the north know nothing of suffering comparative with the woman of this wicked and rebellious land. I can see a parallel to this in the old prophecies where the land was accursed on account of the wickedness of the people. Read Lamentations and Jeremiah. We see living witness of this every day and the Israelites and Pharaoh. One woman on the night of the 16th came here after dark. She had come on foot from Gordon, Georgia, has been at work there and lives in Savannah. Gordon is about 70 miles from Savannah [Looks further on the map], but the Rebs would not let her pass and she came here traveling 180 miles, a long ways from her home in S, but she will get transportation to go on a boat. She left the next morning for Blair=s landing, and other sorry and forsaken looking white women came here on the 17th. They left their families behind and got permission to bring them in. The women of this country we see (are) the most forlorn-looking beings I ever saw or ever wish to. Negroes still come in daily, (people) of all sizes and descriptions. They mostly go to Beaufort. There are some guerrillas hanging around here, but they don=t trouble as much (as) get up a little scare. The Negroes are trying to arm themselves to drive the Rebs away so that they can stay on some plantations.

My dear ones, I have run nearly dry for material for a letter and will soon have to stop. Accept the love from the heart of your absent unworthy but still affectionate, husband. They think here that there is soon going to be a big battle in North Carolina, and it is generally thought it will be nearly the last heavy battle of the war. We think Richmond is being evacuated, if it is not quite now. Dear, write all the news, how you get along with your school, how the pets get along, who works the place, where you are going to stay this summer. Has Mrs. Baker's boy got over wanting the children? If not, I will help her to try it over and perhaps she will do better. I am very sorry to tell her if I had known all the particulars, no accident would have occurred. Tell her to think as kindly as possible of me till I get home; then if she is not satisfied, we will have a re-hearing of the whole thing. But enough of such nonsense.


5 P.M. I stopped to get dinner and after it was over, I took a walk out in the woods and got some gum and then I came in and got the supper, washed the dishes, swept the house. How will I fill this page? I write it thin so to get as much in as I can as paper is very high and your letters can't find me so I will make much in a little. I have plenty of money and some owning to me here. I am not making much here, though I wash some. That is a slow way to get it, and you know I was awkward. I did not like it. Boyd went to the landing this morning, and I had only sergeant Haines to dinner and supper, but Boyd will be here to eat yet. Now, dear ones, ever remember I always love you all and am anxious to hear from you as I can't see you at present but look forward with a great deal of pleasure to the time when I shall press you to my heart again. Kiss around for me and ever pray for your affectionate, lonely husband
C.T. Ackley

I have money plenty and am well off as long as I am well so don't worry about me but pray for C.T.A.

[Small note insert:] Evening between 7 & 8. The party that was going on raid have gone. They went before I knew it. I thought I would write a little more. You may direct the next letter and send one as quick as you get this. C.T. Ackley, Headquarters 15th detachment 17th AC, Poeataligo Station, S.C. Care (of) Col. W.A. Henry, commanding, before I leave here and may not, but it will follow us if we leave here. Now once more, good bye, dear one. Accept my heart=s love and write immediately to your affectionate

C.T. Ackley

He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife

I will commence a letter to you today as I have a little spare time as the pork & beans are cooking for dinner. It is warm & somewhat rainy & no news of importance yet. Sherman is heard from & is still moving through N. Carolina, sweeping everything before him like a terrible hurricane, carrying dismay to the hearts of traitors & all friends of the rebelling, & bringing hope to the hearts of all true patriots & lovers of truth, liberty, & justice.

Schofield won a handsome victory at Kinston, NC over Brag, & Sheridan gave Early a good thrashing & took him prisoner. The reb papers say they fear Sheridan will get around so as to form a junction with Grant, cutting off all their supplies. We should hope & pray that the right may soon triumph & peace & liberty be firmly established throughout this land.

Two men came here yesterday who escaped from the rebs at Augusta last week. They were taken prisoners at Chancellorville near two years ago. One belongs to the Pennsylvania reg, the other to a Louisiana reg. They were kept in prison with horse thieves & all sort of prisoner & escaped by answering to other names of men put in for horse stealing. They were dressed in reb clothes & when questioned they said they had escaped from the Yankees at Wilmington & enquired the way to Augusta & being shown the way they took the opposite way & they had a map.

General Prince from Blairs Landing & Staff was here yesterday. He is in command of the troops in this vicinity & I also took another man to our mess yesterday by the name of D.W. Wilson of the 63 Ohio. He has been one of the Headquarter guards till yesterday. He was detailed as orderly for the quartermaster. He sleeps here but does not eat here, but will when we draw rations in 2 days. After today & yesterday after we had our dinner I got dinner for two of Gen Prince's orderlies, but I had cold beans & meat & hard tack mixed ready to fry & the coffee was not cold & it did not take long to get it ready, but I had loaned our dishes to the Col as the officers eat dinner with him, but I got some of the guards. They had a big dinner. They say they got lots of things at the sutters.

I shall have to give you an inventory of our dishes for the want of anything else & it may interest you to know what we do use. Well, 1 common tin plate, 1 Britannia plate with handles (mine), a canteen in two parts -- each 1/2 making a plate, 2 small sheet iron dishes I use for meat plates, a tin cup, & 2 small tin cans with the top off to drink out of, one pewter cup (mine), but I let it fall & made it leak where the handles is. I have a 4 tined fork washed with silver & an iron spoon & pocket knife. The sergeant has a knife, fork, & spoons all in one, then we have a little white jar (once for medicine). Now our sugar dish holds over a pint, the bottom of a little jug for salt, & the top of something like a sugar bowl for pepper, & this completes our table set. A genteel one.

Have a handle basket to keep coffee in. Another, I keep beans in, boxes to keep fish, meat, & such things in. Have in the cooking line a sheet iron camp kettle, hold over pail, a mess pan holding 6 qts, a tall kettle or pail holding as much as a pailful. I make coffee in a can holding 2 qts for anything like heating dish water in, & one that holds 1 qt I carry to make coffee in alone, & the last is the best: a big frying pan larger over than a 1/2 bushel. I gave $1.25 for it & cheap at that, & I have an old tin 10 qt pail to fetch water in & an old 6 quart pan to wash dishes in & soak hard bread. & then a large earthen dish all flowered off nearly square with handles, once holding 3 pails full but it has a hole broke in the side 1/2 way up. I keep water in it. My pail leaks & is stopped with rags; so is my dish pan.


Have a small wash board & a tub made from the bottom of a small barrel & a 1/2 bushel I also use for a tub & a broom of cedar boughs, then some old chairs & a common table to eat off & one to wash dishes on. A bushel basket for chips, a wood box an iron poker, an old spade for a fire shovel, & you have my furniture. I once had some nice chairs & one large borrow one for my own use, then with my feet on the window or against the wall, was a quite a common picture, but the officers like the chairs so well that they keep all the best ones & sometimes have them all in their rooms.

Love to you my dearest, dear & precious little ones. Good bye a short time. I must get dinner.

March 23ed

My dear & much loved wife. I will try to finish this letter this morn. I am well & hope & pray you are enjoying the same rich blessing from our heavenly father. There is now news here. The citizens & negroes are still coming, the citizens to take the oath, the negroes to get inside our lines to work a plantation or go to Beaufort.

Last night I heard some music that is not often enjoyed by us who are so far from our homes & dear friends: the crying of white children & their sounds of merriment. 3 or 4 women came here last night with several children & stayed in one of the negroe houses, formerly occupied by some of the guards who had to give it up to them. I don't know how far they came or where they are going to, but think the women have been here before to get permits to bring their families within our lines. I have not spoken to them & therefore know nothing of their adventures.

If the music had been from the mouths of my dear little ones it would been delightfully sweet to my ears but it makes me think more of home & dear precious & loving wife & children. Oh! For the end of the war & a speedy restoration to my loved ones far away is the prayer of my heart. Oh for strength to do the will of our father in heaven.

The sergeant has gone to the landing & will be up today with rations & if there is anything new, he will hear it & I hope if we stay till another ration day that I will get a letter from my dear wife, if I don't this time, which I do not look for very much this time.

I had a dream last night which left a deep impression in my mind in which your father & Abram were prominent. I thought they were coming west with us & their families & it makes me think I will get some news pretty soon from some of you. I have had a few very impressive dreams since I left home which I could see a meaning to & I think this is one of that kind, although I am not much of a believer in dreams.

They have raised the price of clothing & I hear they have raised our clothing bill to $52 a year & I have heard they had raised privates' wages to 20 a month. If so it will count up, but things are so high it will not go very far. I think I have clothing enough to last me till July & I guess more, all but shoes, & I hope by that time war will be no more. May God grant it.

Dear one I love you with all my heart & my children as myself. Write & pray continually for your unworthy but affectionate husband. Love & kisses to all from

C.T. Ackley








He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife

I will write you a few lines as I have leisure this morn & plenty of paper & want to come as near holding conversation with you as I can, & as I have paper ink & time if I can think of enough to write, there is no reason why you should not get a letter, uninteresting though it may be.

The news is rather slim. Some of the troops have left the landing. The detachment of the 14th Army Corps left there & I expect we shall leave before long, yet can't tell. We drew 8 days' rations day before yesterday & I think we will stay till they are gone & by that time I think I shall get a precious & long looked for & welcome letter.

I am in very good health & pray that you & the dear precious little ones may continue to be blessed with health. My dear beloved & precious wife, I love you with all my heart & would like very much to press you to my heart, but as I can't do that now accept my love by way of this epistle & forgive where I have not been kind & try & love me still. Kiss the dear children for me & tell them Pa loves them very much & wants them to be good be kind to each other & help Ma & love each other & Ma & Pa & pray for us all. Tell them Pa thinks of them often & would give lots of money to clasp my family in my arms.

There is no war news but the Contraband are still coming in with a rush. Yesterday morn when I got up there was over 40 men women & children in front of the Headquarters & they kept coming till over a 100 was here. The most curious looking group you ever saw. All kinds, old & young, small & great, black & nearly white. Tell Leonora & Elburn Pa sees lots of little black children. How would they like to see so many black folks? One of my windows is where I can look on the road in front, so I would have a fair view of all that passes. Some of them had loads on their heads larger than one of your feather beds tied up in a blanket. Men & women carry on their heads & some of the women had large packs on their heads & a papoose in their arms & some of the smallish ones had little ones on their backs.

Sunday 26th

As I got this far yesterday, I saw the sun coming into my window which admonished me to bestir myself to get dinner. It is cool now & yesterday morn there was frost. There is nothing new this morn. Last night a little before dark there was some excitement on the account of a soldier from the outpost, a five day picket post, bringing in the report that 150 reb cavalry was hovering around them. A little later 2 men came in from that post & they had been out 5 miles beyond the outpost & they saw no rebs but they saw tracks of a few rebs & went to a house where there had been 11 of them, but they saw none yesterday, but day before they saw 7.

The first report made some excitement. The battery was ordered to harness their horses & let them stand with the harness on, ready to move at a moment's notice, & the officers visited the picket line to give orders for untiring vigilance but the last report cooled the excitement. The officers' horses were all saddled ready for use but soon an order was given to unsaddle & all is quiet yet.

Some think Colonel Henry is too easy excited but he don't mean to be surprised, & being surrounded by such a mixed up mess of troops that never were tried, I think it stands him in hand to be always on the alert & investigate every report.


It is generally thought we will not stay here very much longer but it is hard to tell, therefore I do not know where to have you direct, but you may direct Headquarters detachment 15th & 17th A.C. Pocotaligo S.C., care Lieut. Col. Henry commanding, & across the end in a small hand write C.T. Ackley B. 7th Iowa Inft & if it comes here & we are gone it will know where to follow to find me.

My dear I still love you with all my heart & am very anxious to get a letter to tell me how my loved ones are getting along, as I cannot see them, which I would give almost anything to be able to do, but we can pray for the tine to hasten when the angel of peace will spread her lovely wings over this land & this war will be at an end & if we pray in faith maybe our father in heaven will hear the united progress of his children & hasten the wings of the lovely angel & peace may soon gladden the hearts of the people of this land, when we shall be permitted to go meet our dear loves ones & clasp to our bosoms those from whom we have been so long & so cruelly separated.

Oh dear wife pray for this end in faith & importune the throne of grace continually, remembering the widow in the testament. Oh! how much I love you & the children. It is more than my pen can begin to tell, but if I am permitted to return to you I hope I will make some amends for my former carelessness & neglect of those I so much love. Yes dear ones I can see where I was careless to my heart's love & life. Dear wife forgive the faults of your loving husband & God helping will try to make some trifling amends if he is permitted to enjoy your dear society again.

Tell the precious little buds that Pa loves them very much all the time & wants to come & see them but can't now so he wants them to be good little dears help ma all they can & be very kind to each other & pray for all of us. Oh! Dear loved wife kiss them & hug the for me & tell them it is from Pa.

I am anxious to know how you all are & how you get along with your school & where you are going to stay this summer & who works the place & if Sherman paid you & did you get the pay for that land I bid off for taxes, the Rex land & the other & expect you have written all this & when I get letters I shall find it out. I hope the time will be soon come if I don't get home that I can get mail regular again as there is great consolation in your letters & I am very thankful you can get letters from me as I can send them to you often & I think you must get them. Now dear good bye for this time. Love to you & the children & don't forget to pray for your unworthy absent but loving & affectionate husband. Good bye love.

C.T. Ackley










He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I am once more seated to pen you a few lines. I am as well as usual and all things are quiet and no news of any importance, but Sherman is still pushing the rebs. He has formed a junction with Schofield at Goldsboro, North Carolina and had communication with us, and I suppose by that we will have to stay here and although I am anxious to get with B Company, 7th Iowa, yet if I could get letters from the loved one at home, I might be contented to stay here a while yet. I think I will soon get one of those priceless missles.

It is after dark and Wilson is writing on the other side of the table. There is no stirring events, only the old story of contraband and citizens and deserters, with now and then a few guerrillas boxing around our picket line, and once in a while some of our boys get captured by them. There is a man here now that is thought is Col Henry's cousin. He lives 60 miles (from?) here.

He is quite a reb, but he says the war is nearly played out and he says they were whipped two years ago if their leaders would only own it, but thinks the soldiers would lay down their arms and return to their homes if they were not afraid of being caught by guerrillas and taken back to the enemy again. He says over 1000 troops of this state have left the army and returned to their homes and he does not know ½ that have left.

I know they are coming in pretty thick around here. The news from all parts of the country is good, only it is meager. Grant is about the same, and Sherman is stalking through the country like a giant among the pygmies and all opposition vanishes steadily before him. Yes, the chivalrous Southerners flee before him as from a tornado, a pestilence, or some terrible monster; where they will be halted and turn their deadly eyes upon him is a leading question. But I think they will have to stop somewhere and then again will come the tug of war.

I don't know, but I am serving my country here, but it looks as though I was not doing much to end the strife, but I am willing to obey those in authority as long as they appear right. But one thing is certain, I am winning no great honor or glory and with the regiment I might win both, perhaps, as I never was known to flinch at my post and had won a past of honor as acting color sergeant, although only a humble private, and if sickness had not laid violent hands on me, something perhaps might have come of it as it, my post, was a post of honor and I (maybe I am boasting) honorably won that.

It is so or else I would not have been permitted to have kept it, as is it was not according to military regulations and tactics for privates to be over officers of any grade, and the color guards were generally corporals according to regulations, and I had a charge of them and they had to do what I said, I, a private, they a corporal, and if I had been with the regiment all this time I might perhaps have been elevated a trifle, I think. Keep it to yourself if you please as the bird may have perhaps flown out of my reach by this time.
I am some anxious and ambitious, but if they will soon end this cruel strife and return me to my dear and much loved wife and children, my military ambition will be satisfied but if I must be kept much longer for their sakes, I would like to take an upward step, saying nothing of my self and now, dear Wife, I am remaining dry of anything to write and will repeat the oft told tale of my love for you my dear wife.

Oh! Yes, dear beloved one, I can say from my heart that you are more precious to me than all the world and next to you is the dear children. Yes, if it would end the strife by freely giving what little of this world's goods I possess, to restore me to my beloved and precious wife and children, I could quickly say, take it, and these hands, supported by a willing heart, and the presence and smiles of those so dear to me, I would labor for their bread. But that has no effect on this war, which is so cruelly bringing desolation and mourning to so vast a multitude. But we can pray for a speedy end to it all and a return and restoration of peace and joy throughout this now land of mourning. Let us fervently importune our heavenly father thus to smile on us in mercy.

Oh, dear companion of my heart, it would be bliss to be with you again, and tell the precious little ones that Pa loves them very much and send them hugs and kisses, which you will please to deliver the same, and charge it to my account and I will try to pay up when I get home, if you think my credit is good enough for that.

But one thing I can tell you, although there is much sin and wickedness all around, yet they hear no swearing or see no gambling by me and I am undefiled by either wine or woman and have had no desire for either. I will send you a ring in this letter. It has been so long since I saw you, I cannot guess the size of your fingers and I don't know as it will fit. If not, you can keep it or sell it. Boyd was at the landing today and was 250 for one of this sort, only plain and some larger. You may sell it if you can and want to. How does the children's rings fit? Oh, if I could only see you and then it would be better than rings. If they don't fit tell me and I will make some more if I have any stuff.

Write all the news you can. The Rothschilds of Europe are going to take several hundred millions of our government bonds, which does not look like the breaking of the government. I sent you some poetry. The angels in the house is quite appropriate and, oh, may the father keep us pure to the end and, loved ones, let us pray for this and tell the little ones to pray for us all and be good, little precious dears, so that our savior will ever smile on them. Oh dears, I can not begin to write my love to you. Kiss around for me. Pray for your affectionate husband. Good bye, love.

---C. T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear and much loved Wife,

Again I seat myself, pen in hand, to write you a letter, hoping and praying it may also find you in good health, and the little ones the same. I can only hope, as I have heard nothing from you since January 11th, the day the last letter I got was mailed, therefore I know nothing of your health or your situation and circumstances, but I can hope for the best. I looked for a letter Friday, but was sadly disappointed, but think I may get one next time a steamer comes from North Carolina. I hope so, at least.

The news is very meager from the front. Sherman is still going, has formed a junction with Schofield and it is reported that they have pulled up stakes at Goldsboro and cut communication behind them, and are again after the rebs with a rush, and if it is so, the prospect is pretty slim for our getting with our regiment, and if I don't get some mail soon, I don't know what I shall do, but hope, as it has been a month and a half since I wrote from here, that I will soon get an answer.

Meantime, I will be as patient as I can and pray that God will deal gently with my dear loved and precious wife and chidren and hasten the time that I may return to you, and the writing and waiting for letters will be superceded by our eyes and tongues, at home together. Oh, may he mercifully interfere, who is the ruler of nations, and stop this terrible effusion of blood and slaughter, desolation, and destruction, and return us to our homes and families. Oh! for this let us continually pray, and pray for me, that I may be faithful to my God, my country, and my dear family.

I do not think my dear wife is in the least to blame for my not getting letters, as I know that she writes. But this is such an out of the way place and is not a regularly organized Army Corps, but is composed of men from different corps and companies, it takes a long time to regulate the mail.

Yesterday a squad went out in the country to forage and scout for the rebs. The quartermaster, Captain G. A. Whitemore, and the aide de camp, Lieutenant Inlen Alvord, and two orderlies from these headquarters and a lot of foot men, and they went about 14 miles and as they was near a house, one of the orderlies, named Wm Ganabol of 43rd Ohio, was shot through the back, coming out at the stomach, by a man in a swamp nearby.

At first they thought it was inside the house, but as soon as they found no one was in the house, they started towards a swamp and the reb left his horse and send[??] and they caught another reb not far off on horse back. They immediately burned the house to the ground, after taking what they wanted that was inside. They caught several horses and some chickens and geese and some drawers [with?] shirts and other clothing.

The boy was brought into the Fort Salkehachie, about five miles from this, and was alive this morning, and rested very well last night. Our doctor has gone out there today, in company with some other officers.

The weather is very pleasant now and things look nice, with flowers in bloom all around. The 31st I went to Fort Pocotoligo to see some of the boys that was in the hospital with me. There is 180 over there that belongs to the 9th Division, 15th A.C. It is three or four miles. It was the day we drew rations, and I had to go to the bridge to help get them and I wrote you a letter the 29th that went the 30th, and in it a ring and some poetry.

We heard last night that Gilmore had ordered boats to take us away and they would soon be here to take us to Newbern or Morehead City, but we don't know as it is so. Col. Henry went to Hilton Head the 31st, and we are commanded by Major Lemanon, an old man, big, plain, and sociable with everyone.

If I could only get letters from home I would be very well satisfied to stay here yet, but if I can't I want to go to the regiment. I think I shall write to Judd today. Have written to him only once since I have been here and have heard nothing form him since he left Savannah. Do the other women get letters from their husbands?

My dear wife, I still love you with all this poor weak heart of mine, which you know is not much account, but it beats only for you and the dear children. Leanora Ellen Ackley, tell Pa loves her very much and would like to see her and kiss her. Tell her Pa wants her to be good, help Ma all she can, and be kind to her brother, as she has only got one now, and pray for us all that Pa may be good and be permitted to come home soon, and tell Elburn David Pa still loves his dear precious white headed Union boy, and he must be good and help Ma, as Pa can't help her now, and be good to Nora and pray for us all.

Oh, how I would like to put my arms around you all. Remember that I still love you with all my heart and can only pray that god will reunite us and protect us in our separation. Oh, that we may trust him and be faithful. Pray for me, dearest, and ever remember your husband is F S C & C.

C. J. Ackley

I guess I will send you ten cents so you can pay the postage, but don't send any stamps now, or anything else, as I may not get your letters for a long time.
He wrote the following letter²¹ My dear and much loved wife,

I will try to write you a few lines, altho in a poor shape to write in a tent, in a field, the wind blowing hard, and raining some. But the news is so good that I must write to you and I have not written since the 7th as we left Pocotaligo the 8th in the morn and marched 19 miles that day to Port Royal Ferry and there took the steamer Golden Gate and went 10 miles on that, then went on board the transport Victor and came to Hilton Head [SC].

The 9th lay on board till night, then went onboard the Alhambra about 2 a.m. and left and came to Fort Caswell at the mouth of the inlet to Wilmington, the 12th, and lay there till near night, as the Alhambra drew too much water to pass over the bar. There was a seasick lot onboard. The boat was crowded and they all had to cast up their accounts, although the weather was fine and the sea calm.

We went onboard the General Meigs, which took us to Wilmington, the night of the 12th. We passed Fort Fisher mound [??] battery and various other batteries. We saw several wrecks of blockade runners and several of our boats. We passed through town and went two miles out of town and camped on Smith Creek in a field, and yesterday morn official news came from General Sherman that General Lee had surrendered his whole army to Sheridan, which I think is most glorious news!

I think and I feel to thank God that he has been so merciful to hasten the downfall of this wicked and unholy rebellion, and hope and pray that he will hurry on the good work that we may soon return to our families. Last night it was reported that Lee sent a dispatch to Johnson to surrender the forces under his command. If this is true, the fighting is about over.

Sherman's order said all advances or hostilities must instantly cease and we expect to hear more news and orders soon and we don't expect to stay here long, but don't know where we will go. Some say to Newburn and some say Fortress Monroe. It is hard to tell what we shall do or where we shall go, but hope something still better will turn up.

I have had no letters from you since the one mailed the 11th of January and you will know that I am anxious to hear something from my loved ones at home. But, my dear wife, I still love you with my whole heart, and also the little ones. How it would rejoice my heart to hear that you was well and it would be bliss itself to be soon returned to you.

My dear, I know you are not to blame, my not getting letters, as you have written, but as I have moved around much and the postmasters, some of them, are a little defreit [??]. You may direct [letters to] Headquarters Provisional Detachment, 2ed Brigade, Sherman's Army, care of Lieutenant Colonel W. A. Henry, and I think it will find one after a while -- I think -- as some of the boys here had their letters directed the same as I have told you and they have got some, but it will be my turn soon.

Write all the particulars, but don't send any stamps 'til there is a prospect of getting them in a reasonable time. Write all you can think of about how you get along and whether Sherman and the others paid you and where you are stopping this spring, and is your health good and the precious little children. Tell them Pa loves them very much and sends love and kisses to them and wants them to be good children, help Ma and each other all they can, and pray for Ma, Pa, and us all. Tell them Pa thinks he has got the rebs most whipped. He hopes so, at any rate.

But I don't know as they will send me home soon after peace is declared or not, but hope and pray for the best. I have nearly run ashore for anything to write and must soon say goodbye, and my dear, ever remember that I love you with all my poor weak heart and powers and want to see you very much and if you do not get letters as often, you must not think hard or worry about me, as we may leave here in a day or two and I may not get a chance to write very often.

If we go in boats or cars, I can't write, and if we march it is almost impossible to get time or chance to write, but I will write as often as I can and whether I write or not, I love you all the time and pray for you and often dream of you. Last night I paid a visit to you in my dreams. Oh! How I long for it to be a reality.

Give my best wishes and respects to any who may thing enough of a soldier to inquire for me, but keep all the love for yourself and the little dear children. Do you think they would know me if I should come home and do they love poor, lonely Pa now? Oh, I cannot tell how much I love them and my dear wife. Goodbye, dear ones of my heart. Write often and ever pray for your affectionate but unworthy husband.

C. T. Ackley to E. D. Ackley, Leonora Ellen Ackley, and Elburn David Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear wife,

I take this opportunity to pen you a few lines to inform you that I am still in the land of the living and able to eat my rations, or nearly. We came within three miles of this place last night after marching five days, and this morn we marched about one mile past the town and are in camp, but expect to leave again in the morn for Raleigh, 45 miles, and it is reported that we are to march to Frederick City, Maryland, 250 miles. If so we have a long walk.

As I commenced to write I heard them talk of us going to Raleigh on the cars and I drop my paper and pen to get a chance in and am in hopes I shall. The quartermaster and his clerk are going and I hope it will go that way. Also we have had pretty hard march as we were not used to it and we went the wrong road. Some days we marched over 20 miles, but I did not carry my knapsack the 15th at Wilmington. I packed an overcoat, a blanket, one pair drawers, one pants, one blouse and a little whip for Elburn and a four-tine fork for you or Nora.

We got an order to take our extra things and do them up and mark them and take them to Col Smith's headquarters and they would be expressed home as directed, but the P Marshal has got to overhaul and examine the packages and if there is anything contraband like pistols or government property that a soldier has no right to send home, the whole package will be confiscated. I don't know but they will call the whip or fork contraband but they are not. But if I had known it before I would not put them in.

The pants was some old but they will make E a good pair or do for me to wear. The O coat is pretty good one and the blouse is new, the drawers are hospital, but good. The packages I marked I.M. Ackley, Marble Rock, Iowa via Cedar Falls. It is sowed up in an old sack and if it comes the express agent will write to I.M., but if any of you are at the Falls they might inquire at the express office and it is not paid for.

You can send by any one for it if you have the money to pay for it. I could not pay as it had to go to the P M and I had to come away which I did the 17th at 6. I have some money and none to spare and don't expect to get any more pay till I get all in a heap and walking papers for home.

But among all the good news and the fair prospects of peace there is also very horrible bad news. The assassination of our noble President and the attempt on Sewards and Hisson. The President escaped their malice and treachery (fed by Satan himself, for it seems that nothing but a friend of hell could do such a satanic deed) till the eye of peace. An order was read to us a few days ago from Sherman that hostilities had ceased and he could say that he thought that peace would soon be established from Maine to the Rio Grand and that the brave soldiers would soon be returned to their homes. God grant, is my heartfelt prayer.
If we are ordered to Frederick City it looks like preparing to disband the army and I learn that Sherman's whole army is ordered there. I have got no letters and don't expect to till I get to the reg and I don't know when that will be, but I expect they are near Raleigh, but they may leave before we get there. I don't know as you better send any more letters till you hear from me again. If those things come, keep all till I come, although I have another overcoat -- a cavalry one, and if I can get it home it would be worth $20 or $25 and it was given to me.

The blanket I sent home is my old one, but it is worth most as much as some new that they draw now. The pants are not clean as I had not time to wash them. You had better give them a good scalding or boiling as there may be some gray backs or their eggs and that will kill them. I picked up a good blanket so I am well fixed. There was lots of blankets and overcoats thrown away on the march.

Now my dear I still love you very truly and begin to have hopes of soon being with you again, which is the greatest blessing I can ask for. Tell the dear pets Pa loves them very much and wants them to be very good children as I think the rebs are whipped and Pa wants to see good children when he comes home. I do want to hear from you so bad I don't know what to do but under the existing circumstances I can wait very patiently with the assistance of the prayers of my dear wife and children.

If you don't get any letters soon after this remember I am on the march and cannot write to you as bad as I want to keep you posted. I am still at headquarters and it is easier than it is in any company on the march. This is poor writing as usual but I am on a tent open at both ends and don't come to the ground at the sides and the wind blows very hard and it is hard to keep my paper anywhere.

Nora is six years old a big and I hope a good girl and E is four and is he a good boy? Now dear loved ones good bye for this time, but I hope I may soon see you at home. Good bye, love and kisses for you all. Remember I love you, and ever pray for your unworthy husband.

C. T. Ackley.
He wrote the following letter²¹ My dear wife,

I received a welcome letter yesterday with news to the 28th and was made glad by reading that at that date you and the little ones were blessed with good health and pray that you may continue to be blessed still in that way. It has been some time since I have written to you, but we have been on the march most of the time and have not had opportunities to send mail or get mail.

We left Raleigh the 29th of April and have only rested one day at a time since and have marched very hard. One day we went 36 miles. I am not very strong and I came in that night behind everything and it was 10 or 11 o'clock when I came to camp. I have done no duty since I came to the regiment and I don't expect to till I get home. They carry my knapsack and give me a pass to march where I please and I generally start as soon as anyone in the morn and go when I am a mind to and rest when I please.

Jo is not very well and he has been with me two days and my appetite is poor and I can't eat much army grub and I have laid in along the road when I could for corn pone or Johnny cake. It is rather poor but tastes good to me and I get some milk and it seems to do me lots of good.

The day we left Raleigh I got that missing letter. It had been to the hospital at Savannah and Dr. Eringham had it and gave it to me after we started and I have made quite a hole in it already.

I have spent more than I have before since I have been in the army. Everything is very high, but it is getting cheaper as we march north.

We came here day before yesterday and the drs sent Jo and I with a lot of others away to go by boat to Washington. But there was so many that they could not get transportation for all and yesterday we came back to the Co again and it was terrible stormy night. It ran in our tent and wet us all over and we got up and moved and towards morn it turned cold and with wet clothes and blankets we shivered well but it is pleasant and fine today.

Before I got that money I was sorry you had sent it as it was robbing you and I had some but I am spending some of that now and I have lent some but don't send anymore as I think I am on the way home and will get pay as soon as I get to Alexandria and we expect to leave here in the morning and it will take 8 or 10 days to march there. We are 2 miles from Richmond and will pass through there.

Supper is ready. Your letter was rather curious and I did not at first know how to take it but it is all right and if not we will settle when I get home which I hope will soon be my good fortune. As to your teaching, I don't know but it is the best thing you can do if you feel like it and I expect you have it better and easier than if you kept house. Certain if you have a good boarding place or a place where you can board yourself handy to the school. How far does Fanny live from the school house?

If you had just as lives board yourself and can get their chamber reasonable. [???] I had rather you would, as I expect to come home this summer and then we would have a place to stay and take everything into consideration. The pets are as well off as Martins Bakks have lost theirs and E must be a great comfort to them therefore I have no objections to your teaching as much as you can till I get home, but I want you to look out as early as you can and try to get a good school for winter and a better boarding place than you had last winter and if I should not get home before next winter I think the school at Jake Johnsons is a very good one and perhaps you might board to Mr. Wadeys or get a room of them.







Yet I think I shall be at home. If not look out for you a place early as possible. Make your applications so that you will be ahead of others. You may not think my choice of schools good and perhaps it is not, but it is on a big road in timber but use your own judgment and make your own choice as early as possible.

About breaking, that is just what I want done. The more so as I soon expect to be home. How many rails had you got out and what is breaking worth? If I could make it handy I would buy some government mules for a team as they will sell very cheap but I expect I shall not have the chance.

And as to your spending the money I am not very afraid to trust you as my banker and Pa and Ma I think will not advise me not to send it to you for he wrote last fall very favorably saying you used the money to the best advantage and only used a very small pittance for yourself. so you can go in without fear of seriously offending me certain and perhaps them.

But it looks now as if I should bring the last installment in person therefore don't think too much of a pile as I may spoil your fun, but dear, remember that I love you with my whole heart and want you to take all the comfort you can. Kiss the pets for me and pray for your affectionate husband.

C. T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ [This letter fragment was numbered 98 by Larry, but makes reference to going to Alexandria, which would place it in May, 1865 and therefore probably about #84.]

...now to finish up. I have just asked all the boys if they ever heard me say you wrote that our folks would not do anything for you, and they say they never heard any thing of the kind. Therefore read this to them and perhaps they will feel better toward you, as they ought. We have indulged pretty freely in imprecations on the people at home who were so loyal and patriotic with their tongues, till we saved them the fear of the draft, but as soon as that was done, and we were gone, they showed their little meanness in coming out flat footed on our families. The town authorities would not help them or let anyone else, and they could help it, but the day of retribution am a coming. You generally write our folks are the only ones that would do anything for you, and I know they have their own affairs to attend to and I don't expect they could do every thing for you that you needed. Now read this to them. Jud, Joe, Sours, Clay, and Hawks are all here and I asked them the question to them and they knew not of my saying so. I told them someone had wrote so, and the old folks were feeling very bad. They say it was on account of the people generally turning the cold shoulder to the wives about my being promoted. I guess that is played out, as I am not strong enough to do duty and I feel more like taking my time so I say nothing of it. If we were going to stay much longer, I should press my claims. As it is, I think it will not pay, and Mr. Martin is mistaken about my drawing sergeant's pay unless I was a sergeant. A man can act in any place and an officer can act in a higher capacity than his actual rank, but will not get any higher pay and an officer cannot be made to act in a lower rank.







My love to you. I don't expect to write again till I get to Alexandria or Washington. Goodbye with the heart's love of your husband to you and the children. Write and pray.
C.T.A.

Give my best wishes and respects to father and mother and all the friends and tell them then I don't know as I shall write any more to them, but soon hope to be there where there will be no need of writing, as my tongue will supply all vacancies. Tell the children pa loves them very much and thinks he has got the rebs whipped and will come home and wants to find 2 good children to kiss and love and to love him.

I have written about sending things home from Wilmington and Raleigh and as you may not get the letters, I will write again: a bundle from W contained an overcoat, 1 pr pants, 1 blouse, 1 blanket, 1 pr drawers, 1 whip for E, and 1 fork, marked I. M. Ackley, Marble Rock, via Cedar Falls, Iowa. The one from R a box containing one overcoat, 1 shawl, and 1 vest, and marked E.D. Ackley, Marble Rock via Cedar Falls, Iowa sent by express. Neither of them paid. Don't sell either coat, at least till I come and the one in the box is an extra one for winter in Iowa. Love to you again. Goodbye, Dear, from your aft. husband.

C.T.A.
He wrote the following letter²¹ (This fragment has no date, but refers to coming to Alexandria, indicating that it was written in May, 1865)

My paper was full before I had finished writing and I will write some more as I have lots of paper.

As I was coming from town last night, I sat down on a stone to rest. Two men with books and paper in their arms, and as they came near to me, one said are you tired? I said yes, then said, this is one of our boys. I told them I belonged to the 16th A.C. Thy knew then that I saw I had met one of them before outside of the army. I told him so he asked where I lived. I told him. He said he had been there and still I could not locate him or he me. I then asked his name. He said it was Moulten. It came to me then all right, but he looks older and rather thin. He is connected with the Christian Commission and has been in the 15th A.C. since we came to Alexandria. But guess I had not seen him before. He seemed pleased when he found who I was and where from as well as I to see him and we walked arm in arm for some time till our paths diverged. He gave ma a Star and a hymn book and almanac and I want to go see him today if I can. He is not over a mile from here. I don't know as I can. I showed him yours and the children's likenesses. He said it was very nice. His folks are in Maine. If we leave here and the 14th Corps don't, he is going to stay with them.

Old Crumb told such wild stories and I guess some now here write queer things, don't they, but I don't want to write anything that can't be depended upon and as there is so many reports I can hardly tell what to write. But I guess we will be sent home as soon as they can. The papers are ordered to be made out and I hope we will soon be on our way.

Now, dear, good bye and remember that I love you with all my heart. Tell the children pa loves them very much and thinks he will soon come home as the rebs are all whipped, but you will have to kiss them for me a few more times yet, and tell them pa wants them to be good children. Write how you get along and how your school goes off and all the news. Where is the most teaming, to Waverly or the falls? Write all you can think of if you have time. If you don't, write often, if short. But don't neglect to write as often as possible and every pray for your affectionate absent and loving husband.

C. T. Ackley

P.S. The sack containing some things and also the rope around the bundle. C.T.A.
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I came here yesterday and have this opportunity to say I am as well as usual, and all the boys. I have but a few moments to write as the mail leaves soon.
I think we will be sent home soon, but don't know.
We are in sight of Washington and the 24th we are going over there to be reviewed and then will camp on that side of the Potomac.
My dear, I love you very much. This letter that was written near Richmond I did not get a chance to send from there and we have marched every day since. I will write as soon as I can good with the love of your husband. Write but don't send anything. Good bye. Kiss the little ones. Love to you all from your aft. husband.

C.T.A.

Old Jeff is caught.
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear and much loved wife,

I will try to pen you a few lines this morn to let you know that I still love and think of you. I have not written as much of late as usual, as we have been on the march and marched very hard and had no time to write or anything else. We passed through Washington the 24th.

Sherman's army passed in review on that day. There was a great display of flags and people. It is estimated that 70,000 civilians came there to witness the review, besides residents and soldiers. It made a large crowd. The 23rd the Army of the Potomac was reviewed, but the people were very much surprised on finding Sherman's raiders so well disciplined. They thought as we had been out of communication with the world so long and had carried such terror and dismay to rebels and traitors, that we would appear (more) like savages or wild men than like well disciplined soldiers, as they found us to be.

They have to give in that we were a better looking set of men than the grand Army of the Potomac, although not inclined to put on as much style or as many airs. But the papers said we made as grand a show as they could, and if we had lain still near the capitol, or where easy and quick communication with the whole world as they have, I think we would have shown some style. But we had not had time to wash our clothes for some time, but am in hopes we will have a chance now to clean up everything.

We came to this camp the 24th. It is about 4 miles North of Washington in a beautiful wood, and yesterday we were busy clearing and cleaning camp. It is rainy today and we have not got bunks fixed up yet, and it rains so today that I guess we will have to sleep on the ground tonight. Things here look more like civilization than any place we have been in since we went to Dixie. Even the people look more robust, healthy, and intelligent than those we have seen for the past year.

Yesterday we were surprised with a visit from Frank Wright. He is fat and hearty. Is staying in N.Y. City and came to W to see the grand review of these armies and came up here to see us. He staid with capt F last night and took breakfast with us this morn. He has now gone to W and Joe went with him. He seemed very glad to see us and we were to see him.

What they are going to do with us. There is so many reports but we hope we will be sent home soon. It is reported by some that we will have to go to Texas to clean the rebs out, but I think there is men enough in that part to fix them and Sheridan has gone there and if not already, they will soon be brought to terms. There is orders to muster out the '62 men, and I think when they are all out, an order for more will be issued, but the veteran regiments may be kept 'till the last.

But I think they will not keep us very long. Such is my prayer for I cannot get home soon enough, at the quickest, to my precious wife and children. Some think we will be furloughed home and kept as a reserve 'till everything is settled up satisfactorily. If we can't be mustered out soon furloughing will be the next best thing, but there is nothing official, therefore we know nothing and can't guess with any certainty.

You can go on and manage everything as you think best and if I soon get home we can make arrangements accordingly, and if I do not, you will be prepared to take care of yourself with as much comfort as possible.

It has been sometime since I got a letter from you and I don't know whether you have commenced your school and whether you get Fanny's camber or whether you board with them. Write as often as you can, Dearest, and I will try to keep you as well posted as I can, as soon as we get anything official. I will write the particulars.

I find that Crumb caused quite an excitement about our coming, but I have found he can't be depended upon or McNabb Jo Baker. They get up any kind of a yarn to suit their tastes, without a shade of truth, and I don't know but some of the boys here write very dubious reports as though they were sound, but they write more than I, but I intend what I do write can be depended upon. Has it not been so heretofore? I don't get excited over every report like some; we can hear all kinds of reports and I wait until I am pretty sure before I endorse them as sound.

If you can get the rest of that 40 broke get it done. What is breaking worth? I think we will get pay soon and then you will get an installment. I would liked to had it for you before but I can't help the matter a bit.

If I get mustered out this summer I should like to buy a team of government (horses). I got a letter from Doc. He says they sold good horses from 30 to 50 dollars a piece and mules cheap and the transportation from there to Dubuque is from 5.50 to 7 dollars each. A mule or horse team would cost much less than oxen in Iowa and be worth much more than, but I don't know as I can have the chance. Lots of the boys would do that way if they could.

Now, dear one, ever know that I love you with my whole heart and pray that God will deal gently with you and hasten me to you. Tell the children Pa loves them very much and wants them to be good to Ma and each other and pray for Pa and all the rest. Write soon and ever pray for your affectionate husband.

----C.T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear and much loved wife,

I will write you a few lines [unintelligible] to let you know that I am enjoying usual health. You will please to excuse my not writing oftener as I have had no letters for a long time and as there is so many reports, I can't tell what to write as I don't want to write anything that is not reliable, and then I have been to the city twice and our conveniences are the poorest kind. I am sitting tailor fashion. When I own up, I am lazy as I can be.

April 30th I was on guard for the first time for over a year, and I have not any pain and don't have much duty. I am not considered perfectly well and the war is over and they can be a little easy on a person, and I think if I was to try, I might take the colors, but as they are easy on me, and I am not as strong as I was on duty all the time. I would go to the Col. and I think he would give me my old position. We expect to leave here in a few days. We got orders a few days [ago] to be ready today with 4 days' rations, and we may yet start today. I don't know yet as it is early morn. We are going to Louisville, KY, preparatory to being discharged. I intended to write yesterday, but I went to the city early in the morn to take some packages to be expressed home and I did not get back till night. Clary, Sours, Hawks, Job, and myself put things in one bundle as we could not [find] any boxes and sacks are scarce. It is in a sack sewed up and marked C.T. Ackley . . Marble Rock, Iowa, and I sent 2 pr. ants, 2 shirts, 1 pr. Drawers, and in the pants pockets was a pegging awl, a pocket knife, a spur, and a strap or two. They are in a bunch and sewed together, and on the front of the shirts is C..T..A in ink. Hawks's is sewed together and some of the shirts are marked E.H. Jobs's is a dress coat, the only one in the pack. Clay's are sewed together and in his bunch is a piece of calico. The other is Sours's. He put an envelope on his with his name and his is also sewed together. The largest blanket is E. Hawks's. The other is Clay's. If they come to the Falls or Waverly and they send a letter to you and the women have the money and can get a chance to send for them, you may. If you or they have not the money, write to them to keep them till we call for them. I don't expect to get any pay till I get to Iowa and that may not be long. I can't tell. We can bring the things if we do come soon. Have any of the things I sent from Wilmington or Raleigh got there? I want you to write as often as you can. I am getting uneasy as it has been so long since I got any letters. I am afraid there is something wrong, sick or something. Do write if only short. It may be our mail is sent to Louisville to meet us there. I pray that you and the pets are well.

I went yesterday to the Smithsonian Institute and saw the greatest sights I ever beheld. All kinds of animal skins stuffed, shell, snakes, fish, frogs, toads, lizards, and birds as natural as life. Stones from all lands and a lot of things presented by Japan and from China, and there was bones, skeletons, pictures, and busts. It was a very grand and interesting sight, but it was very tiresome. From there I went to the Capitol Building and there saw the finest building I ever beheld, both outside and in. There was also very fine paintings and busts. I wanted to go to the patent office but did not have time. There is a fine sight there. I have been to the White House and been around the city considerable and could spend considerable more time in viewing the grand sights. But to take the public buildings out of Washington, it would be a very dull and common place city. Now, dear, accept my love and write as soon as you can and pray for your affect. husband
C.T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

Although there is no news, I will try to pen you a few lines to inform all that I am still in the land of the living and am getting tired of waiting for a letter from you. I often hear the boys say they will not write anymore till they get letters and I generally tell them that is not right as th folks at home don't know how we look for letters and how disappointed and case down we look and how discouraged we feel to have mail come day after day and we get none. But I lay it to something someone has written or your being crowded, and, my dear, as bad as I want letters and as anxious as I am to hear from you and the little precious children, I don't want you to break yourself of rest to write as your sickness or failure would be a sad calamity indeed, and therefore you must not break into your hours of rest to write to me, if I do complain so dolefully, but I don't hear very often. But then hear you are blessed with health, the greatest earthly blessing our kind parent can bestow.

I wish I could write something definite as to our prospects, but we are still in the dark and the boys are getting very impatient. Some in other divisions of our corps, as soon as they got pay, slid for home or some other place, and they stopped paying them and have placed strong guards on all th roads around the city. But we expect to get our pay son, and that they will commence paying our brigade tomorrow. Don't know certain, but still think we will get 8 months pay soon. If we do, you may soon look for a small installment from me for you to invest as you see fit.

It is getting dark and I shall stop till morn and then I may hear more news. If the boys are not enlightened some soon, I fear something serious will happen as the soldiers have filled their contract with the government and are anxious that they have receive the deserts.

June 16th

Dear ones,

I will try to finish this letter and want you to forgive this delay as it was unavoidable and yesterday I was overjoyed to getting a long loving letter from you mailed 6th. Was glad and thankful to learn that my dear and precious family were still enjoying good health and am proud of the heroic patriotism of my dear wife. That of the Spartan women did not exceed that of yours.

But I am in hopes I will get home before this year is out. There is going to be 2 out of every company furloughed for 30 days and then they get back. They have just drawn furloughs, and Job Clark and a man by the name of Stewart of Worth County, cousin to Bing Stewart, drew them and I expect will start in a few days and we will get pay as they commenced paying our Brigade yesterday. We will get it this week. I think if I don't get home soon I may possibly get a furlough.

But I hardly think it would be best for you to come here. If I was an officer I would make some difference, but a camp is a hard place for a woman and privates can't go where they want to. I should like very much to see you, but shall object to your coming unless we get in a better situation than I have been in since in the army.

I am very sorry about the small pox, but I think you were all vaccinated and that will help you. Old Boon and Pickell ought to be drummed out of the county, if nothing worse.

We can't expect to stay here very long, but don't know where we will go. Some think to St. Louis. I don't much think I will get a chance to buy any mules, but may be it will be for the best and I guess I can get along.

Did you buy a mate to Prince and did the heifers come in? Do you hire your board or furnish provisions? I think it would be well enough to keep your wheat for if I come home and crops are not good, we may want to eat and it will not be much higher, but if you are cramped for money, sell it but keep your shoulders for I will want ham and eggs when I come. I had one egg at noon today. They gave 25 cts for 6 - cheap. Now, dear, goodbye and remember that I love you and the children with all my heart. Love you all. Pray for your afft husband.

C.T.A.
He wrote the following letter²¹ [Ed's. note: This is another excerpt of a letter without date While it is not dated, content references Alexandria, where he was in May, 1865, and the bottom indicates Washington D.C., where he was in June - to this likely was written in June, 1865.]

My dear,

I thought I would write a little more. I should not get home before another winter and you can get along easier to teach, it will please it and it would be well to look for a good hearth. I don't know but where you are is well enough, but I think it might be better, and I also think at Jake Johnson's would be a good school for the winter, as it is in the grove on the main road, handy to town and if it should take your fancy and be your luck to get. I think perhaps you might get board or a room at Wadey's, but hope I can be there before another winter, but we must not make too much calculations and I want you to have a better place than you had last winter and it is well to look out in time.

How is your health and the children? I am anxious for a letter and I hear the flu has made its appearance there again, which makes me tremble and over-anxious for news. Write as often as possible; if not full of news they are always welcome and interesting.

What is the weather there and the prospects of crops and how does Hammond make it go? How much of Charley's land has our folks bought and what did they pay and how much down. How does things go off there generally? Did the ones that those small notes were against pay them up, and have you got any of the things I sent from Wilmington, a bundle and a box from Raleigh? As soon as I get pay I think I shall send some more but I don't want to send any more without paying the bundle and box. They would not take pay or give a receipt.

Do the precious little ones think or talk much of Pa? Kiss and hug them often and heartily for me, the dear pets. I hope the time is near at hand when I can do my own business in that line. Son't you? How does G make it with Mary. I see Josephine is married.

Old mother Beckerdike, a Sanitary woman, made us a visit at Alexandria with some pickles horse radish, some canned pears, which was quite a treat. She also left 10 gallons of blackberry cordial and the Dr. wanted it but she told him it was for the boys in the regiment, but we have seen nothing of it since and don't expect to but the old lady, if she comes again, will give them fits, for she is capable and the boys will tell her. Write soon and pray often for your warring husband.

----C.T.A.

Direct Co B 7th Iowa inft 1 st Brg 4th Div 15th A.C. Washington, D.C.
He wrote the following letter²¹ Louisville, KY. June 25/1865

Dear and much loved wife,

This Sabbath morn I will try to write you a few lines, and Job is going to start for home today and it will go quicker to send it by him. I am as well as usual, and I was rejoiced the evening of the 23rd by receiving a kind letter from you and was made glad to hear that my dear family are well, and it is found me about as usual. I had been to the city and it was so warm that I got very tired. I heard they were selling government clothing and blankets very cheap at auction, but I could not find any such thing going on.

Now, dear one, although I am ever anxious to hear from you, yet I don't want you to go to the trouble to write when it is uncertain whether I will get them as there is some talk of not staying here very long. Therefore, you need not write again till you hear from me again as I may be moving around so that it will take longer for a letter to get to me than it would to come direct from home. They are sending soldiers home most of the time, and our turn will come by and by. If the 7th [Iowa Infantry] is not sent home soon, I don't know, but I shall get a discharge as Capt and the Drs.appear very friendly to me. But, dear, don't be over anxious about it as I don't know [for] certain yet. There is nothing going on here, only some of the soldiers get to spending it rather often since they have got pay. I will try to answer your letter tho I don't see much calling for an answer. I see you have lots of running to do, and I am in hopes that I will have a chance soon to put a stop to some of it. Make the other women pay their share in that bundle. We had to put them together as much as we could as it was hard to get to the city to express anything. And as I was not on duty, they, all officers, too, thought it best too and sent me to the office with them. They are distinctly marked [so] that it will be easy to sort, and it will come to you first and you will be boss and can get your own. I shall try to get me a new suit before I get home of some kind, and as to presents for the precious little pets, I intend to get them something, but I can't tell what to get. I want it to be something pleasing and useful and if I can get some cotton cloth if I can. If you have got a paper with rank's letter in, keep it till I can get it. I suppose the Superintendent's visit passed pleasantly. I hope so. Gleason goes in for show, but he made a very poor show of himself as supervisor in regard to soldiers' families and the soldiers do not feel any respect or love from him. He is classed with Matthews and others not entirely free from copper. I expect you somewhat to see me as I know I am to see you, and if the time is long, I will try to endure as patiently as I can, God helping me and your prayers assisting. I feel the effects of this suspense. It is worse than when we were fighting every day. But I can't give you much light yet, but hope in my next [letter] I shall be able t do so and I will try to take the first opportunity to give you information. The news is slim here, and you will excuse the dryness of this by thinking it is from your loving husband who loves you with all my heart, and it is also very poor writing and if you can read it, all right; if you can't, keep it for me to help you.

Some of them wrote that a soldier had been there and said he would be in Waverly the 8th and that Sharp and Shell went after us. No, he was an imposter as we know nothing of any such man. The people should look out for such people, probably a deserter. Now, dear beloved wife, keep up good spirits and continue to pray for me and you will soon hear from me again and then I hope something definite. Captain F. talks of leaving; his resignation papers have gone in He is not well.

Kiss the little ones for pa and tell them he wants them to be good and mind ma, and pa hopes he will come home by and by to stay with them. Give my respects to any who condescend to enquire of your soldier husband and remember that I love you dearly and ever pray for me. Good bye from your aft. Husband
C.T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I received a very welcome letter from you yesterday with the good news that my dear family are well, for which I feel thankful to our kind and merciful parent. Your ideas of our duty at this time accords with my own exactly, and I do not exactly know what I wrote in my letter to you. [I] did not intend to say anything that would lead you to think I would turn rebel after doing what I have done to put rebels down. I never once thought of seceding myself, yet I heard at one time something of that kind might happen in this regiment as it is plain that the term for which they enlisted, and it also looks rather unjust to muster out men that have been but a short time and keep those that have borne the burden and heat of the trials and hardships, [de]privations and dangers of the war. But I still think the government will get rid of the troops as soon as they possibly can, and they are going to send 15,000 of this army home in a few days. The most of the officers and men think if the colonel had made a true return, we would [have gone] out under this order. They are very much excited about it, and some violence threatened, but I guess it will blow over in a few days. There is many reports flying [around]. Some maliciously start stories without any truth in them and many will believe all they hear and add some and spread it. The Col. left for home this morn on leave of absence, and Capt. Folsom left the 29th; he is discharged on the account of poor health. Oh! It is easy enough for an officer to get out if he is a little unwell.

I read some of your letter to myself. Private. Sours and Clay went on considerable. They said if you would be fooling around as they had been, you would talk different. Clay even looks on the dark side and believes every report that is against us. [Note: this was circled and overwritten with "This is private. Keep mum."] But my dear wife, I am glad to have you write as you did and would be very sorry to have you write anything advising me to do wrong or in any way lessening my respects or faith in our government, law and order, for which I left home. I expect Joe is at home before this, and he will tell you more than I can write and maybe more than can be depended on. I sent a letter by him and in that I told you not to write but send on your letters as I don't know when we will leave here. Keep up good courage and remember I love you with all my heart. Kiss the little ones for me. This is rather short, but you will please excuse as it is most time for the mail to leave, and when I began, I did not think I would send it today. Goodbye, dear ones, much love to you. All pray continually for your affectionate
C.T. Ackley
He wrote the following letter²¹ [Unknown date and location for this letter fragment, but it was numbered 90 by Larry and the news seems to fit about there in the sequence. Reference to shoes that he has worn since November 1st suggests this was written in 1865...]

...are very high and the boys think they will not have to march anymore. I think your thing you will get fixed for the dear little ones will look about as well as some of the neighbors that cost twice as much. I see you are still economical and have a thought to rainy days, but if you can, do make yourself comfortable. If I come home this summer I think I will try to get shoes for all of you in some of the cities. Write in your next what number each of you wear. I have got a pair of shoes that I have worn since November 1st and they will last some time yet. The best shoes I ever had. Some have had 3 or 4 pairs since that. I hardly think I shall draw a dress coat at they cost 12 and I think I can buy cheaper as they are not always good and if we put in for one and the came and are poor, we have to take them. I drew a pair of pants and my old ones will last some time.

How does Elburn make it go in school when he is there? Can he read much? I don't think best to urge him on so much. Was his whip in the bundle you [??]? If so, how does he like it. How does crops look by this time? Where does the D. Manchester live? How does the small pox get along? Will it break up your school? Old Boone and Pickle will have considerable to answer for, but the people are to blame to place any confidence in such personages. Where does that Dutch doctor live? Has M's back got well? How many sheep has out folks got, and how many has Egbert, and are they pretty high?

We live pretty well here. The Sanitary Commission issues potatoes and pickles once in a while and we buy some potatoes and so, and I have about 2 messes of green peas and new potatoes 20cts a mess. My appetite is not very steady and the doctor tells me not to eat beans and not much meat and I have bought some butter - it has been 50 and 75 a lb, but is 40 now. I don't buy much at them licks. The doctor gave me a can of fresh tomatoes a few days ago. They went first rate, as good as new ones. My health is not the best exactly, but the doctor and captain do first rate by me and don't let them put me on duty.
We have a very pretty camp, large peach trees scattered over the hill and the small tents and do not eat hard tack much. I have not been to the city but intend going some day if I can.

Now, dearest, write as soon as possible and all the news. How many have moved in there and how many will locate in our neighborhood? How much family has Hammond? Now, dear one, accept my heart's love and tell the dear children pa loves them very much and wants them to be good and wants to see them all very much and hopes I will soon. Kiss long and often for me. Write soon and continue to pray for your absent lonely but affectionate husband

C.T. Ackley

(Now dear, don't say one word about Joe's coming home, as he wants to surprise them and let me into his confidence. I am about the only one that knows, so keep mum and oblige your husband who wrote what he ought not. Good by) C.T.A.
He wrote the following letter²¹ Dear Wife,

I will try to write you a few lines altho I cannot give anything certain as to our prospects, but I as I still love you and know you love me and are anxious to hear from me, I will try to write a few lines, uninteresting tho it may be.

The 3rd there was a prize drill for a nice flag costing $300 between two regiments in this division, the 50th Illinois of the 3rd brigade and 63d Illinois of the 2nd brigade and the 7th Iowa of the 1st brigade, and it is not yet decided yet. The judges were Major General Williams, Major General Bayard, Brigadier General Hickenlooper, of other corps. A large number of generals was there, among which was Logan Hazen, our corps commander, Corse of 4th Division and Bill of 1st brigade, and a number of others besides citizens and soldiers. It was quite interesting to spectators sitting in the shade, as I did. It is not decided who won the flag. It lays between the 7th and 50th. They took advantage of us as they have been drilling 2 weeks for it, and we only knew it Friday and only had two days to drill and they sorted out all new men and all that could not drill tip-top and we did not.
Yesterday was the 4th and Sours, Judd, and myself took it in our heads to see it. We had orders to be ready to fall in at 9 to receive General Sherman, but as much as we love the hero, we took no note of it and at 8 we started for the depot 1 mile, and we had to be slippery as we had no pass and the guards were thick and wanted to see papers whether we had one or not, but at 10 the train came and as it stops only a moment, there was a rush to get aboard and we went in and then we were safe, and I was sitting in a seat alone and S and J in one behind me and all others full, and there was a lot of colored people on and one old fat wench took a seat beside who! Your affectionate husband. There was a lot of them and they were dressed tip-top. They were going to a black celebration.

We went about 3 miles to the fair grounds, were it was advertised there would be a great celebration but we thought it very dry. The ampitheatre was very large and in the space in the centre was a speaker's stand and we could not understand anything they said and we went around to all the pedly shops and looked in to the hall where they were dancing, and then they tried to send up a balloon but did not understand it and it only went up over the building and ran again a tree and fell down and was torn in pieces instanter.

Then as we were hungry and eatables played out, we took a train for town 3 miles farther and they ran a train every 30 minutes and we got our dinner, or supper, as it was 4 o'clock and at 5 we took the cars for home, tired enough, and it was the hottest kind of weather, and as we came in sight of General Riegs headquarters, we heard music and saw troops in front of the house. Just as I came, old Billy Sherman took the stand and interested [?] for 25 minutes during which he piled lots of praise on the 15th corps and the 4th division, which was his favorites. General Corse was once on his staff and was much thought of by the old hero. The general is looking finely and he was visiting all the camps yesterday. The speech he made here was the 9th and he had another to make after it. He said he could march through swamps, build breastworks and corduroy roads better than he can speak. But I tell you he can make a good speech. He said he thought it would be only a few days or a few weeks at the longest till we wold all be sent home. The 52nd Illinois left for home this morn, and I think there is an order to muster out more troops and it will take us. We will know as soon as those under the present order are out of the way.

Now I think I have written all of the news, and must tell you the old story of my heart's love to you. Yes, my dear wife, I love you with all my heart, and the dear little ones. How it would rejoice my heart to be with you again. I expect Joe and Job are there enjoying themselves hugely.

I bought a rubber and a wool blanket of orderly Mead before he went home, for $4.50. They were new. He had just drawn them. They cost him about twice that, and I got 2 good middling good blouses this morn for nothing and a good shirt and I guess I shall have to send another box before I come home.

Now, dear, goodbye. News is run out and it is dinner time and it will bother you to read this. I am in hopes of getting a letter from you today. Kiss around a few times more for me, and I will try to pay it when I get there. Good bye. Pray much and often for your affectionate husband







C.T. Ackley
He was dicharged from the military on 12 Jul 1865 in Louisville, Jefferson , Kentucky^19,20 He was living between 1870 and 1880 in Union, Floyd , Iowa.^10,11 He received a military pension on 20 Jul 1871 in for service during the Civil War in the Iowa Infantry, Regiment 7 , Company: B^19,20,23 On 22 Jun 1880 he was a farmer at Union, Floyd , Iowa.¹¹ He died on 15 Feb 1913 in Floyd , Iowa.^1,3,22 He was buried about 1913 in West Side cemetery Union, Marble Rock, Floyd , Iowa.^3,5 He appeared in the census 1860,1870, 1880 & 1900 in Iowa. He served in the military Civil War in B Co. 7th Inf Reg. IA.^{1,3,18,19,20,23} In December, 1863, Mr. Ackley enlisted in Company B, Seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Judge Reiniger, Captain. Served his country till the war closed, being discharged in July, 1865. His life as a soldier was an active one, participating in many hard engagements; a few of the most prominent ones we give below. We can group them by saying he was in all the battles near Atlanta, Peach Tree Creek and Sherman's march to the sea, Pumpkin Vine, Dallas, Jonesborough; here the color-bearer was wounded, and Mr. Ackley carried the colors till the close of the war. He was never wounded, but stood touching elbows with men who were shot. A marvelous incident is related by Mr. Ackley, that we make note of here, illustrating how often death's missiles, though their numbers are legion, are ineffective: At Jonesborough they were ordered to charge upon the enemy double quick; during this act the shot and shell and rifle balls rained down upon them like and not a single man was wounded. They had scarcely made this charge till they were ordered to make a similar charge in another direction; this they did under as heavy fire as before, and not a single man was hit with a missile of death. Of course this is not the rule but a marvelous exception. At the battle of Ray's Ferry, Georgia, there were sixty-three men killed and wounded in his regiment in less than thirty minutes. the last three months of Mr. Ackley's service he was in the rear, on account of sickness contracted by the exposure of army life. Part of this time he was in the hospital; we are sorry to have to add that he has never recovered fully from those troubles; it seems almost cruel in nature to furnish men with disease the balance of their lives, who have contracted it in the defense of their country. Since Mr. Ackley's return from the army, he has resided upon his farm with the exception of three years, when he rented his farm and lived in Marble Rock.

7th Regiment, Iowa Infantry


Organized at Burlington July 24 to August 4, 1861. Moved to St. Louis, Mo., August 6; thence to Pilot Knob, Mo. Attached to District of Cairo to February, 1862. 4th Brigade, 2nd Division, District of Cairo, February, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, District of West Tennessee and Army of Tennessee, to July, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, District of Corinth, Dept. of the Tennessee to September, 1862. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, District of Corinth, to October, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, District of Corinth, to November, 1862. 1st Brigade, District of Corinth, 13th Army Corps (Old), Dept. of the Tennessee, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, District of Corinth, 17th Army Corps, Dept of the Tennessee, to January, 1863. 1st Brigade, District of Corinth, 16th Army Corps, to March, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 16th Army Corps, to September, 1864. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, 15th Army Corps, to July, 1865.

SERVICE.-Duty at Pilot Knob, Jackson, Cape Girardeau County, Norfolk, Fort Jefferson, Bird's Point, Mo., Fort Holt, Ky., and Cairo, Ill., till November, 1861. Affair at Elliott's Mills, Camp Crittenden, September 22. Expedition to Belmont November 6-7. Battle of Belmont November 7. Moved from Bird's Point to St. Louis, Mo., November 10, and duty there till January, 1862. Expedition to Fort Henry, Tenn., January 15-25. Operations against Fort Henry February 2-6. Investment of Fort Donelson February 12-16. Capture of Fort Donelson February 16. Expedition to Clarksburg, Tenn., February 19-21. Moved to Pittsburg Landing March 5-18. Battle of Shiloh April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Pursuit May 31-June 6. Duty at Corinth till October. Expedition to Iuka, Miss., September 18-22. Battle of Iuka September 19. Battle of Corinth October 3-4. Pursuit October 5-7. Moved to Rienzi October 7; thence to Boneyard and duty there till November. Little Bear Creek November 28 and December 12. Duty at Corinth till March, 1863. Expedition against Forest December 18, 1862, to January 3, 1863. Moved to Bethel, Tenn., March 1863, and duty there till June 1. Moved to Corinth June 1; thence to Moscow and duty there till August At LaGrange till October. March to Pulaski October 30-November 11 and duty there till March, 1864. Veterans on furlough January and February. At Prospect, Tenn., till April. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1 to September 8. Demonstration on Resaca May 8-13. Sugar Valley May 9. Battle of Resaca May 13-14. Ley's Ferry, Oostenaula River, May 15. Rome Cross Roads May 16. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas , New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Ruff's Mill July 3-4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Battle of Atlanta July 22. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Flint River Station August 30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Pursuit of Hood into Alabama October 1-26. Reconnoissance and skirmishes on Cave Springs Road, near Rome, October 12-13. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Little Ogeechee River December 4. Eden Station and Jenks Bridge December 7. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Salkehatchie Swamps , S. C., February 3-5. South Edisto River February 9. North Edisto River February 12-13. Congaree Creek February 15. Columbia February 16-17. Lynch's Creek February 25-26. Expedition to Florence, S. C., Mareh 4-6. Battle of Bentonville March 20-21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 24. Advance on Raleigh April 9-13. Occupation of Raleigh April 14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. March to Washington, D.C., via Richmond, Va., April 29-May 20. Grand Review May 24. Moved to Louisville, Ky., June. Mustered out July 12, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 7 Officers and 134 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 Officers and 160 Enlisted men by disease. Total 305.

Notes for Charles Thomas Ackley:
From the History of Floyd County Published 1882
C. T. Ackley was born in Pittsfield, Otsego County, N. Y., July 25, 1833. He was the sixth child of James and Nancy Ackley. Mr. Ackley made New York his home till 1855, when he came to Iowa, arriving in Union Township, this county, on the 24th day of November. The same fall he pre-empted the farm of 160 acres, where he still resides, on section 20, township94, range 17, about two miles southwest of Marble Rock. The year following his arrival he built the first residence in Aureola, and was the first white resident of that place. Here they lost a child, Marian, at about the age of four months; this was the first death of the place. The high water caused considerable malaria, and Mr. Ackley and his wife were both afflicted with the malady, which caused them to change their location. He then moved to his farm, where he had just completed the building of a fine large frame house. This home they enjoyed till April, 1860, when it was destroyed entirely by fire; the building was not the only loss. Having no granary he place in this house all his grain, which was also lost, as well as the greater portion of his furniture. Though Mr. Ackley has furnished us much interesting matter, we believe he could have furnished even more had he not lost in this fire a diary which he had kept since coming to this country. He once erected a log house that served as a home till the year 1879, when he built one of the best residences in the county. His surroundings are beautified with shade and fruit trees, so that he has one of the finest homes in the Northwest. On the 15th day of January, 1861, he started with his family for New York; on account of snow blockades, it took them seventeen days to get to Dubuque; they shoveled snow most of the way. They returned in November, 1862, to this county. Mr. Ackley was married in New York State in 1863, to Miss Elizabeth Thayer, a native of Otsego County, N. Y. They have a family of three children--Leonora E, now the wife of Charles Morrison and resides in Phillip County, Kansas, Elborn D., now twenty-one years of age; Merton I., Twelve years of age. the sons are both residing at home. Mr. Ackley has been a lifelong Republican and Prohibitionist, voting first for J. C. Fremont. Has held the office of Assessor and Township Trustee several times, being among the first elected.

Pvt Charles Thomas ACKLEY and Elizabeth D THAYER were married on 29 Oct 1853 in Otsego , New York.^{1,4,10,11,24,25} Elizabeth D THAYER (daughter of David THAYER and Desire RICHARDSON) was born on 26 Nov 1836 in New York.^{1,3,4,10,11,25} She wrote the following letter²¹ My dear loved one,

I will try to write a little to you tonight, although I an rather tired. It is Nora's birthday today. Six years ago today she was given to us to train for Him. I feel as though I was not competent for the great task, but mean to try to be more faithful in future, and I remember with what joy she was hailed by her father and mother, more so than those that followed her in such quick succession, and now one of those are gone. I think now if we are ever blessed with any more, we shall know how to prize them, but I believe, let them be ever so cross, there is more comfort to be taken than when they are older.

I don't know as I shall send this tomorrow, but I thought I would write a little as it was Nora's birthday. It is useless to send them oftener than once a week when you do not get them. As soon as I find out you get them, I will try to write oftener, but I will try to keep up once a week until you get your back ones.

I went up home and sat up some good berries and lilacs yesterday. There did not anything that I sat out last spring live. I am going tomorrow to take up some young cherry trees and, perhaps, cottonwoods, if I have time.

I am here to Grandpa's, keeping house. Your mother has gone up to Russ and Jane's to make a good visit. She went yesterday morning.

I have got no school. Mr. Judd said he would give me the second chance for the school at the bend.

Manchester is going to take out my potatoes tomorrow, and if they are good, have some of them. They are 50 cts and so is wheat.

Well, Grandpa is going to bed and the lord knows I must go as early as he or I can't get breakfast for him in time. I am such a sleepy head.

Goodbye now, keep up good courage and remember there is one at home that loves you with all the love of her heart.

You wrote about standing a little chance for promotion, you thought when you left. You will find I have written some on the same subject, when I found how much your officers thought of you, and I am very proud of it, but you know there is so many that will push themselves forward that they will give them office, when at the same time they might rather have you. If they were [not?] aware that you wanted to advance, they may think you are contented where you are, and they will let you be. I am sure I do not want you to crowd ahead if they do not want you, but you can give them to understand that you desire an office and want them to give it to you.
April 28th. My dear, you will think I have neglected you, and I have somewhat. I meant to send this Monday, but Gid took me up to Egbert's Sunday to see if I could get that school, and I could not get an answer 'til Tuesday, so I had to stay as I could not get up again. So you was left neglected, but you will excuse me, I know, as it was unavoidable.

Yesterday I went to St. Charles to the sermon of our President. They had a solemn time, sermon, singing, prayer, and an oration. I went with Mr. Martin and his wife, a newcomer. Gid went but I had no chance to go with him, as he took Mary and Em, also took Ann. I did not ask to go, I assure you, as Gid is gruffy over my writing to you that they would not do anything for me. I told your father and mother what I said and they do not seem to be but may [be the ones who told him??], but in the future I shall keep my troubles to myself.

If it has to be made public property for Sam Sours or Jud Ackley to send home to their wives, make it over to suit their tastes. It was bad enough as I wrote it, without being made worse by enemies. But enough of this.

I am to have the school in Scott Township and get $20 per month. I am to board to Faney's. I don't know but I shall live in the chamber and cook for myself. I had rather do so. I told E. I would give $8 for the house. He will draw me wood and will fire [?] it. Hoped N. will go along. E. will have to stay to his Aunt Linas.

He went up there along yesterday. I told him before I went he might. I did not think he would, and they could not keep him. His ma said he might and he was going, now.

Now I want you to write if you don't want me to try to teach another year, if you don't come home, and shift the children around. Just say so, as I will not go to the institute this fall, if you had rather.

[This letter ended without a closing, but it appears to be from C. T. Ackley's wife -- the only one from her we have, we believe... Even these few lines give a vivid impression of a woman striving to be the dutiful wife and daughter-in-law, while struggling on her own to pay the bills and keep her family intact -- and while fending off gossip, planting for the future, and waiting her husband's return from the war. We are grateful for this glimpse into her life at home...]
She died on 6 May 1899 in Floyd , Iowa.^1,3,21,25 She was buried about 1899 in West Side cemetery Union, Marble Rock, Floyd , Iowa.^3,5 She appeared in the census 1860, 1870 & 1880 in Iowa. Pvt Charles Thomas ACKLEY and Elizabeth D THAYER had the following children:

20	i.	Marian ACKLEY was born on 26 Dec 1857 in Marble Rock, Floyd , Iowa.1,5,24 She died on 19 Mar 1858.3,5 She was buried about 1858 in West Side cemetery Union, Marble Rock, Floyd , Iowa.3,26
+21	ii.	Leonora E ACKLEY.
+22	iii.	Elburn David ACKLEY.
23	iv.	Emerson J ACKLEY was born on 30 Dec 1849.5,27 He died on 19 Sep 1861 in Iowa.3,5,21 He was buried in West Side cemetery Union, Marble Rock, Floyd , Iowa.3,28
+24	v.	Merton Irving Julius ACKLEY.

Pvt Charles Thomas ACKLEY and Theresa Betsy BARBER were married on 16 Nov 1902 in Floyd , Iowa.^1,5,21 this was her 3rd marriage Theresa Betsy BARBER (daughter of Living and Living) was born on 1 Apr 1843 in Chenango , New York.^1,3,5,29 She died on 17 Jul 1912.^1,3,5,21,29 horse and buggy accident

She was buried in West Side cemetery Union, Marble Rock, Floyd , Iowa.^3,5