MMS 1157 - Linus Patrick Correspondence, Part 2

Title	MMS 1157 - Linus Patrick Correspondence, Part 2
	Linus Anthony Patrick served with Company K, 121st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was killed in battle at Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia. Correspondence from Linus February 13, 1862 Roundhead Ohio Feb 13 1862 Miss Poe I send you a few lines according to promise to inform you what I know concerning the "Grand Fete" which is to be at Mr Lemen's tomorrow evening. As far as I can learn it is to be a "general pitch in" free for all who wish to attend, but I suppose you are as well posted on this matter as I am so I will close, hoping to see you soon yours & c Linus A. Patrick (on the back.): If a tract of land 6 1/2 miles long & four miles broad which cost $1 1/4 per acre be exchanged for the same quantity in the form of a square, & subsequently be divided into one hundred equal & square forms, 3/8 of which should bring at auction $11 3/4 per acre; 2/3 of them $12 per acre [illegible writing] October 27, 1862 Camp Reid, Perryville Kentucky October 27, 1862 My Dear Father Your kind and welcome letter was recd yesterday morning and I take The very earliest opportunity of sending you an answer - I had began to think you had forgotten me, but I suppose it was on account of the mails as they have been very unregular since we have been here- our letters have been going on to our Brigade but yesterday and today the letters have been coming in by the whole sale - you wanted me to write & give a general description of the battle - Capt Odors death & c I wrote a letter to John McCullach and gave a general description of how our Regiment was taken into the engagement & all things pertaining there to & I have also just finished a letter to Capt. Odors wife in which I gave a full detail of Capt Odors death and it is therefor unnecessary for me to say any more upon the subject for I told McCullach to show you & and the rest of my friends his letter & Mrs Odor will undoubtedly do the same - Father it seems hard that - a Regiment like ours - which had been in the service but five weeks and nearly all that time spent in moving around should be be rushed right - into an engagement & that too right in the hottest of the fight - while old Regiments that have been in the service 12 and 14 months & and never smelt gun powder were laying on their arms & playing with their fingers a short distance away - I say it was murder to lead our regiment where they did in the condition it was in - I blame our colonel with it, for he need not have taken his Regiment from Camp Delaware when he did if he had not consented to it Our company is in a pretty bad fix at present - the 1st Lieut - has been sick ever since the battle & the 2nd Lieut was sick for a week or so & I then had to take charge of everything myself They both reported for duty again yesterday but it does not make it any easier for me - for when there Is anything to do they run for me & I either have to do it my-self or tell them what to do - Our 1st Lieut is an easy good natured sort of a fellow, but he is weakly & and if he was stout he would never make a military officer - Our 2nd Lieut I have told you of & as he is not worth speaking of I will not say any thing more about him - I told Ben's wife to send Richard Odor and John Rumer after him & now if they come which I want them to do have them to take a store box and bring some things for the boys There was a fellow came down from Delaware the other day & brought a box full of things for the boys - The boys needs dried and canned fruit - green apples and some thing of that - kind - I would like to have two under - shirts & a pair of kid skin moracco gloves lined inside with something soft and warm - I would like for you to speak with some of the citizens who are deeply interested in this matter & have them see all the friends of the boys & have these things sent if Odor and Rumer come after Ben - which I want them to do - The boys from Rushsylvania are generally all well - Lawson Roberts is in the hospital & I tell you we miss him for he was all life when he was with us- Dave Dorman is still at louisville & Bratton is at camp Dennison - But Rumer went to the hospital on saturday he has the ague he was up here to day & will report for duty in a day or two Johnny Wintz is also at the hospital but will be all right soon - Bill Konkle is at the company able for duty he wanted to come to the company two or three days before he did but the surgeon would not let him Andy Sweeny is just as good a soldier as there is in the Regiment he has never missed a roll call except when on duty or excused he is cooking for a mess at present & is up every morning at 4 he sends his best respects to you and all the rest of his friends - Do you know any thing about our county bounty? If you know any process by which we can get it I wish you would tell me, for I would like to have you get mine & use what you need of it & and put the rest in safe keeping I shall have to close soon I want you to write soon & and write often for nothing gives me more pleasure than to hear from you Hoping to hear from you soon & remain as ever your obedient and affectionate son, Linus Send your letter to Perryville via Louisville to follow November 4, 1862 Camp Reid near Perryville Kentucky Nov. 4, 1862 Dear Father, Mother, Brother & Sister I received a letter from Lucy a short time since & take the first opportunity of sending you an answer, to inform you that I am not dead but alive & well, able for duty & my rations, Nothing of any importance has occurred here since I wrote you last - we are still in camp here drilling & guarding the sick & wounded from any attack by the Rebels, as soon as they are removed we will probably go farther down into the land of Dixie - While Ben Odor was alive I was contented & happy, since he died I have not liked the condition of affairs in our company, but I hope we will have things in a better condition shortly - I am still contented with the service & want to see the thing through Some of the boys have been up about the colonels office & say a dispatch has just come in for us to march to morrow morning at six oclock whether it is true or not I do not know nor do I care - When I came into the service I weighed but one hundred & sixty nine pounds. I was up at the Quarter Master's to day & was weighed & I weighed one hundred and seventy seven pounds having gained 8 pounds since I came into the Army - the report that we have to march to morrow is true - we have orders to march at three oclock to morrow morning & I have just been around to the different Messes telling the cooks to prepare three days rations & have the men pack them in their haversacks & as it is now about seven oclock P.M. I will have to close for I have a great deal to do tonight - the Lieut. is going down town to see old Glover our 2nd Lieut who is down at the hospital & I have charge of things - When those men come for Ben send me some things - two undershirts & one pair of gloves & the boots if Bob Moore has them done but I will write as soon as we stop again & let you know where we are - No more at present Write Soon Your affectionate Son Linus Co. K 121 Reg. Ohio Volunteer P.S. Send your letter via Louisville to follow Regiment Linus November 11, 1862 Lebanon Marion County Kentucky Nov, 11, 1862 My Dear Father Your kind letter of the 5th inst has just been read and I proceed immediately to answer it - I wrote you a letter yesterday and mailed it this morning, we were on provost - guard down in town at that time, but we have been relieved, we were relieved today at twelve oclock, by a portion of the 50th Ohio, one of the Regiments of our Brigade - Our Brigade which is composed of the 98th, 50th, & l2lst Ohio Regiments and the 80th Indiana Regiment are all encamped together about half a mile from the edge of town - we have a very pleasant place to camp in, or it will be as soon as it is cleaned up which they are doing as fast as possible, it is in an oak wood pasture and has been used to feed in, consequently there is a great deal of rubbish in the camp, it has been raked up in piles & they are burning it this afternoon, & it is so smokey that a person can hardly walk through the camp - We have not got any tents yet, but I quarter in the Lieutenants tents as I have to take care of the Company books - you wanted to know what kind of transportation there was to where we are. The transportation is good now & will be as long as we stay here You can come all the way from Rushsylvania to Lebanon by rail-road either via of Cincinnati and Louisville or via Indianapolis & Louisville, the fare will be about - $10, or at least that is what a man told me he had to pay from Delaware Ohio and the distance is about the same - I want good, fine. Knit shirts the largest and longest you can get - I hope Rumer has started long ere this reaches you & I hope he has my shirts, boots, gloves & c & some provision for the company - if he has not started yet, have him start immediately. We have no commissioned officers elected or appointed yet, but I suppose we will have to have two as our 2nd Lieut is about to resign as he has just this moment sold his uniform - he was left back at Perryville & came up yesterday - Father I hope you will excuse me for not writing a longer letter, but I recd four or five letters to day & as our company came off Provost guard to day, we are off duty this afternoon & I want to answer some of them & our company is a little mixed up some of the sick men coming up from Perryville & it will require some time to get the books straightened up again & my head is so confused that I can scarcely think of anything, but I guess I have written everything necessary - Send Rumer with the thingsd if he has not started, for now is the best chance he will ever have- Write soon Your affectionate Son Linus A Patrick send your letter to Lebanon via Louisville (top of letter upside down): I want my boots made large so I can march in them easily - I wish I had a five dollar green back - until we draw our money (at bottom): Do not have Bob Moore make my boots too small December 6, 1862 Columbia Adair County Kentucky December 6th 1862 Dear Father Lucys letter of the 29th November was recd yesterday & I hasten to answer - who has been telling that nothing can be expressed to us? I wish some people would attend to their own business! When I send for anything I want it - Did you get the letter I sent to Bob Moore? Send those boots shirts & things right off as soon as you receive this, if you have not already sent them - send me two pounds of good smoking tobacco - Jack Moore and Joseph Moore want Bob to send their things so you can put them all in one box & send together pay the charges there and it will come all right. Direct to Linus A Patrick Company K 12lst Regiment 0.V.I 34th Brigade Lebanon Ky via Louisville to be forwarded to Regiment & we will get it for our teams have to go to Lebanon every few day & they bring all packages for the Regt - If you have the money to spare you may send it to me by letter - Direct your letter to Colombia Kentucky via Louisville to follow Regt We have gone into winter quarters here & will stay here all winter if nothing happens - write soon & send the box immediately, but I hope the box has started ere this No More Your Son Linus Did you receive that package of letters sent home [To Bob Moore] Bob Moore Jo & Jack both need a pair of boots & want you to make them for them these corn field gaiters the government furnishes are poor things for winter - make our boots & let the people at home wait & when the pay master comes around we will load you down with green backs - a heavy sole is best for army use - I can write nothing more for I am in a great hurry to get this in before the mail goes out Yours & C Linus Patrick Bob if you get my boots made in time you must make the[m] plent[y] large & a very heavy sole with light tops Also Linuses the same "very large" please send those other things that Jack and I sent for. Tell those people that know so much about our things coming through to look to their own business. We are all firstrate - We have about 1 inch of snow on the ground & those gaiters are awful cold to the feel - we have gone into new quarters right in the centre of a 1,000 acre block where the Rebs could not find us in a month we have a Brush fence round us for rifle pits so they could not take us by surprise if they were to come across us in haste Joseph Moore December 1862 (fragment) [Probably December 1862] N.B. We belong to Websters Brigade Jackson Division McCooks corpse. Webster & Jackson were both killed the day of the battle. I would like to have Bob Moore make me a pait of calfskin boots, doble felt threble soles and send them to me. If he makes them he must be very careful to make them to large. Linus December 10, 1862 Colombia Kentucky December 10 1862 Dear Father I take this opportunity of sending you a few lines - William Odor recd a letter from Jesse Roberts today in which he said he would give two dollars for the purpose of bearing Bob Moores expenses to the Regt & back - we consulted the matter over this evening & Jack, Jo, & all the rest of the boys concluded it would be the safest plan of getting our things to have him come along with them provided the people who are interested in Co K 121st - O.V.I would donate liberally toward bearing his expenses which I think they will undoubtedly do, but we do not want him to come & lose his time & have to bear his own expenses So I guess you had better make a subscription & and get the money & start Bob right off as soon as you can get the things ready - it will take about thirty dollars to bear his expenses here & back - he can come to Louisville either via Cincinnati or Indianapolis though I believe the latter to be the best route from Louisville he can come to Lebanon by rail & from there to Columbia by stage or government wagons at his pleasure I think he had better come as we expect to stay here some length of time & may be the last opportunity he will ever have of paying us a visit & we would all give every thing we have to see some person from home - the 121st was inspected yesterday on Company & Battalion Drill by Gen Gilberts Inspector General who pronounced us a good Regt & not to be compared with new troops generally The health of the boys is generally good I got a letter from David Dormen & he thinks he will soon be able to join the Regt. no more - have Bob to come with out fail & bring lots of letters Linus postscipt page 1. I forgot to say that I am still able for half duty & double rations "All quiet on the Potomac" postcript page 2: Let Esqr[?] Porter of Belellefontaine know that Bob is coming & he will give something toward bearing his expenses January 9, 1863 New Haven Kentucky January 9th 1863 My Dear Father We arrived at this place to day & were very agreeably surprised to find our old friend Josh Gregg here waiting for us with a great big box full of nice things from home. We feel happy indeed to think that while we are enduring the hard-ships of a soldiers life for the sake of preserving the best of countries, we are not forgotten by our kind friends at home who are preserving the peaceful avocations of civil life - the things were messed up some as they had to be examined & replaced at Louisville, but they came through as well as could be expected; nothing was seriously damaged. Joe Moore found a can peaches spilled in his boots & a few other trifling accidents occured. I believe was all the damage the things sustained. My boots fit very well & are very good ones for the kind, but I would have been much more pleased if I could have gotten a pair of Bob Moores like make Joes & Jacks, but I am willing to put up with these for the present & will have Bob to make me a pair this winter for the muddy spring weather we have had had quite a chase after old John Morgan within the last ten days, but it is unnecessary for me to give you the full details of the matter as Josh will give you all the particulars as we give them to him, suffice to say that the thing was not properly managed or we could have either captured old Morgan or hurt him pretty badly. Colonel Haskins of the 12th Kentucky had command of the forces If Col Reid could have had his way I think the thing could have terminated differently - this is the first flight we have had tents to sleep in since the 31st of December & since that time we have marched 100 miles & it has rained two or three days & nights. During our march from Campbellsville to this place we come through some of the most God forsaken Country I ever saw, but this is a very nice place surrounded by a very nice country. How long we will stay here I do not know, but I think we will go south before long probably to Memphis or Nashville Tennessee - The boys are all very thankful to their friends at home for the things sent them & also to Josh for being so kind as to bring them down. We all return our sincere thanks to Granny Slater, Aron Grabiel George & others for donating so liberally toward sending our things - I rec'd Mothers & Lucys letter, give my respects and love to the family - I believe I have nothing more to write this time so I will close hoping to hear from you soon Believe me to be as ever your affectionate Son Linus (Top of Last Page): Send your letter via Louisville to follow Regt. March 4, 1863 Franklin Tennessee March 4 1863 Dear Father I received a letter from Lucy yesterday which said you had not heard from me since I sent the money home I wrote to you since we came here but I suppose had not recieved it when you wrote last, you need not think I have forgotten you yet - Six Companies of our Regt are quartered in town & the other four are across the River- Our pickets have had a little brush with the Enemy almost every day & night since we have been here A force consisting of five Regiments of Infantry, three Regimants of Cavalry, & one Battery started toward Columbia this morning - Columbia is twenty four miles from here & they say the Rebels are in force there - there was quite a fire here day before yesterday & if the soldiers had not taken hold of the Engine & pitched in generally, one whole block would have been burnt down & it might have burnt before I would have lent a helping hand to put it out - This was a delightful town once, but it has played out all the young men are in the Rebel Army - the Rebels feel the war in this town,they being Rebels can not get passes outside our lines to get wood & they have to cut down the shade trees on the side walks & in their yards for wood & as we destroyed a flouring mill they are hard up for something to eat - John Douglas of our company died Sunday morning She (?) is not well yet he is over the River do not fail to go to Bellefontaine & get those photographs taken from the picture I sent home from Cincinnati - we rec'd letters from Indianapolis which stated that three of the Mt. Victory Boys who deserted have been arrested I got the postage stamps - I got a letter from home yesterday - Don't fail to get the photographs - no more this time write soon and send your letter same as before Your affectionate Son Linus March 17, 1863 Franklin Tennessee March 17th 1863 Dear Father Your kind & ever welcome letter was recd yesterday & I hasten to send you an answer I have been unwell for about ten days I came to the Hospital day before yesterday, the Doctor thought I would soon get better if I would come to the Hospital where I would have a good soft bed to sleep on & take good care of myself - I am able to walk around a good part of the time ~ They are using a large Seminary for a Hospital & it makes a very nice one, but give me health and the tented field in preference for this place - Emerson [Silas Emerson] is in the same Hospl I am, sick with the measles, so you see our company is in a bad condition - Old Glover [Joseph F. Glover] has sent in his resignation & is waiting for his papers so he can return home - the old fellow has been very friendly to me since he has been here & has brought me any thing I wanted to eat since I have been sick - I rec'd a letter from Leon Manning the other day & he said you had been reading some of his old letters that I sent home, he was very mad about it - If Dave Barnett Of Belle-Centre calls on you for four dollars and seventy five cents ($4.75) pay it to him I owe that amount to John Barnett & he wants I should have you pay it to Dave as I am sick I guess you had better send me 2 or 3 dollars - Tell John McCulloch I rec'd his letter of March 2nd in due time & would have answered it before this if I had been well - I rec'd a letter from Dobie and Willis Carson two or three days ago but I can not answer it now - I also rec'd one from Dave Dorman - If you see Dave or his folks give him my best wishes & tell him I do not blame him for going home - Three of our Mt Victory boys have come back to the company but George Araie[?] & two Mt Victory boys are still gone - I suppose you have seen by the Cincin Coml of The 7th & 9th inst that we had quite a fuss near this place 10 or 12 days ago If the people want to know what the Democrats in the army think of Vallandingham let them write to Andy Sweeny he is a democrat & so am I but Gods not a traitor yet - I have had Rebels tell me that Ohio had one good man & that was Vallandingham If the soldiers have the privelege of voting they will show the people how many friends vallandigham has in the army - write soon direct as before Your Affectionate son Linus Peach trees are in bloom here & the people are making [illegible] April 12, 1863 Franklin, Tennessee April 12th, 1863 Dear Father I sit me down this evening to send you a few lines thinking perhaps you may be anxious to hear how Co "K" 121st O.V.I. Is coming on- Well in the first place we had a little fight here day before yesterday - About 12 o'clock a few thousand Rebel Cavalry thought they would dash into Franklin & feel for us - The Old 4Oth O.V.I. was on picket over the River 800 strong - (one Regiment goes over the River on picket each day besides the cavalry out posts) The 40th has been in the service over a year & was never in a fight and the boys were spoiling to get at the "Grey Backs" - The Rebel Cavalry charged on the pickets who fell back on the reserve in good order, keeping up a brisk fire all the time - The Rebels charged on the Regiment several times but the Buckeyes stood their ground, driving them back every time Some of the Rebels run our sick soldiers from the hospital to the River & were shot by the guards at the pontoon bridge within one hundred yards of where the bridge crosses over into our camp Our 32 pound siege guns opened on them about 1 1/2 [1:30] PM shelling the woods for miles & killing any quantity of "Grey Backs"- We marched out yesterday morning at five o'clock about 3 1/2 miles out the Murfreesburo Pike to relieve the 125th and 113th O.V.I. who stood there the night before - when I said we marched out I should have said the 98th & 121st O.V.I. We remained there until 3 P.m. & seeing no Rebs we returned to camp The Rebel caught thunder day before yesterday & if they undertake to take this place I think they will have a nice time - Lieut Col Banning of the 125th O.V.I. has been assigned to the command of our Reg. & a good officer he is too - he has been a Capt in the 4th O.V.I. ever since thc war broke out - he "commanded the 87th O.V.I. in the three months service last summer- I understand John Heagi drove in the Harris pickets the day of the election when a brisk engagement ensued Bleage being the best maneuver outflanked Harris on the left and got a raking fire on him which Harris after sustaining a few minutes with heavy loss, broke and fled in confusion, he again rallied to charge on his assailant but his artillery being inferior to that of Bleage he very wisely fell back on Johnny Koutmans Ale Keg - We expect to be paid off tomorrow the paymaster has been over to nag us of twice but we were on picket both days - the 88th were paid off last Wednesday - my respects to all my friends Yours for the Union Linus We got lots of good new cloths today Postscript p.1: Did McCulloch get my letter requesting him to write to west & how my commission made out? Glovers resignation is accepted he took my recommendation to Columbus when he went home- have Mc do this if hes not done it April 15, 1863 Franklin Tennessee April 15th, 1863 Dear Father Lucy's letter of April 10th containing Internal Revenue Stamps was received to day and I hasten to send you an answer I believe I wrote you a few lines since we had the brush here last friday but to tell you the truth I have been so awful busy the last few days that I cannot remember to day what I did yesterday - I want you to take that picture to Bellefontaine and get those photographs taken right off. I wish you had not waited to write to me for you might have known I wanted them but get them taken now - Last sunday we drew plenty nice substantial clothing and on Monday we received two months pay - So we are well clod and have plenty of "Green Backs" in our pockets Uncle Sam has given us good clothing & paid us up to the lst of March and why should we not be contented & happy & willing to fight for him - I sold that note for $220 cash & I drew two months pay which was $40 making in all $260. I sent home $150 by the State Agent the receipt for which you will find in this letter, I kept $110 as I may need some this money you will draw through the County Auditor you will probably receive this letter before the money reaches Ohio as the Agt is not going to leave here until next Monday & I saw a Regt of East Tennessee Cavalry lost Saturday Father why is it that those men, who live in the very heart of rebellion & are surrounded on all sides by Rebels and traitors rush to the support of our common country and are willing to lay down their lives for the preservation of the glorious liberties we enjoy while hundreds & thousands of men in the great loyal state of Ohio where the iron hell of oppression has never trampled them in their wish openly avow their sympathies for [Jeff Davis and his] rotten confederacy? The day of Retribution is coming when the home traitors of the North will meet their just reward - Hell with its wide extended jaws is gaping to receive the cowardly, traitorous wretches - The Butternut ticket "Kinder played out" did it? Bully for that - Some person wrote to one of our Company that there was not a Rebel Sympathizer in Rushcreek Township heaven only knows I hope it is true - Lieut Henderson 1st Lieut of Company "A" of our Regiment has been assigned to the command of our Co and I am glad of it for it takes the responsibilities off of my shoulders He is a good officer and a noble hearted fellow, he has been recommended for Capt of our Company, the boys all like him first rate & he & I get along as well as two men possibly could - he lives in Union Co Ohio - he is acquainted with Jesse Roberts as he is a member of the Campbellite Church - when you receive the money of which I am sending home I want you to pay all the debts I owe - you can then post this notice up in the Post Office - Ask John McColloch if he rec'd that letter & if he wrote to west - I believe I have nothing more to write this time so I will soon close hoping to hear from you very soon - Direct as usual Nashville Tennessee to follow Regt - My love to the family & respect to all my union friend Yours for the Union Unconditionally L. Anthony Patrick Co. "K" 121st O.V.I. Right Brigade Gen Gilberts Command Franklin Tennessee Postscript bottom right corner: I understand that the reason the Rebels made that dash the other day was that they had heard we had but twenty five hundred men here but I rather guess if they should count them they would find that many thousand Post script bottom left corner: old Johnny Wintz the way worn warstained & weather beaten soldier is married is he? He [illegible] a gay old soldier if he was married along with a full Knapsack & tired to death I should see some old horseshoes lying in the road he would nick them up He used to do that in Kentucky April 27, 1863 Franklin Tennessee April 27th 1863 Dear Father Lucy's letter of April 21st received yesterday & I take the first opportunity of sending an answer. I need more money than I kept. You will therefore send me ($30) thirty -dollars of the money I sent home as soon as you receive it. We are fortifying this place and one or two weeks more will make a strong position of it - A force of Cavalry went out this morning about three oclock - There being some demonstration made in front - and returned a while ago with over a hundred prisoners, their horses, equipment & c - The Rebs were on picket to stand seven days but the Yankees relieved them before their time was out - The health of the Army here is good & improving everyday - the men are rapidly becoming well drilled & disciplined, they are mostly new troops raised last fall The Artillery & Infantry is Ohio, Indiana & Illinois Troops - the Cavalry is Michigan Pennsylvania & Kentucky troops we are all in good spirits & all we ask is for the people at home to support us and we will save the Country or die in the attempt Our motto is to "Put our trust in Old Rosey' and keep our powder dry" I believe I have nothing more to write this time so I will close hoping to hear from you soon. As ever Your affectionate Son Linus May 3, 1863 Head Quarters Company "K" 121st Regiment Ohio Vol Infty Gilberts Brigade Grangers Division In camp near Franklin Tennessee May 3rd 1363 Dear Father: Your favor of April 30th is at hand and contents noted. I owed Cox, Kautsman, William George & Bob Moore probably some others I can not think of If you doubt their accounts have them swear to them & a man who will swear to a lie to obtain money from a Soldier dishonestly will do any thing - I believe I owed Stephen Stilwell some - Abe Hatcher is sick in Hospital - the rest of the boys are generally well The first two letters of the mans name who wrote that there was not a Rebel sympathizer in Rushcreek Township are Duncan Hatcher Our Regt as well as the Regts composing our Brigade, started out on a scout Friday morning at Two oclock A.M. and marched about Seven miles south of here toward Columbia - The Rebel Pickets retired as we we were marching out and followed up and fired on our Rear Guard coming in You may send me two or three of those photographs - give one to Ben Odor's widow. Send one to John Cutting & Keep the rest for my disposal - Nothing of interest occurring here at present. the work on the fortifications goes quietly on - Tell Slater he had better keep a white rag in his shop to hoist in case of a sudden attack by the butternuts If Muslins are so high that be does not deal in that article any more he can, send down to the long brick and get a piece or if they have none he can Get McCulloughs Signal flag or if he cannot get that he can stand in the door and stick out his shirt tail Shall I send to the Editor of the Nashville Union and have him send you a copy of the Nashville Weekly Union for one year? It comes at one dollar per year and is one of the best Union papers published in the United States - No more at present Write Soon As Ever your obedient Son Linus June 26, 1863 Murfreesboro Tenn June 26th 1863 Dear Father: I left Nashville on the 23rd and came to Triune and found our troops all gone. I stayed all night and came within five miles of here the next day. I borrowed a horse of the 6th[?] Ky Cav to carry me through. I got here yesterday - It has been raining for three days & the roads are awful as hundreds of wagons travel over them every day - All our baggage and some of our boys are here - the boys with the Regiment have nothing with them but a rubber blanket a piece - Rosecrans whole army is moving - there has been fighting every day since they have been moving between our cavalry and the Enemy there has not been much Infantry fighting yet This is the stillest movement I ever heard Of - Rosecrans Army left here day before yesterday morning & the Nashville dailies yesterday knew nothing of it - Rosecran's Head Quarters are ten miles out the Woodbury Pike - our Army Corps (Grangers) is ten or twelve miles out on the Shelbyville Pike - I think a general engagement will take place soon The trip from Triune here through the mud and rain has almost made me sick again - I Saw Leander Miller this morning - his Division (Van Cleves) is holding the fortifications here - No More As ever Your Son Linus September 7, 1863 Cowan Station Tenn Sept 7 1863 My Dear Father Your Kind favor of Sept 3rd was received this evening and I hasten to send you an answer. That we have moved from Shelbyville to Fayetteville and from there to this place, you have doubtless heard 'ere this, so that it is unnecessary for me to say anything more upon the subject Am very much obliged to you for the shirt - hope I may be able to repay you for your Kindness to me in sending so promptly everything I send for. That Rosecrans is moving on Chattanooga, you have heard 'ere this - The right, left and centre corps of the Army have moved forward some time since and most of them are across the Tennessee River - everything looks favorable to a big fight at Chattanooga and I only hope that I may have a finger in the pie. Burnside is rushing down through East Tenn on our left flank and will strike simultaneously with Rosecrans - when last heard from, he was near Knoxville. It may take Rosecrans some time to take Chattanooga, but he will take it so sure as the Rebels make a stand there, which they undoubtedly will as the place is well fortified, it being a natural fortification, You need not be uneasy, nor think that Rosecrans might move more rapidly, he is a cautious Genl and moves slowly, but surely - his base of operations is now 150 miles from his base of supplies and his main transportation for subsistance, is the Nashville and Chattanooga Rail Road, which it takes a small Army to guard, for should his communication in that direction be cut off, his Army would indeed be in a precarious situation, and should he be defeated, And that communication cut off he would still be in a worse condition, for he would have to retreat over the Cumberlands Mountains, where ten miles square would not afford enough forage to feed a whippoorwill so it is better that he should be six months in taking the place, than that he should be defeated - If the Rebels stand the siege and their communication can be cut off between Chattanooga and Atlanta, we will then have them in good shape to capture Braggs whole Army, I think by putting our trust in Rosey and keeping our powder dry, that we will come out victorious, for the western Army has never yet suffered a defeat, except at Perryville, and the Rebels lost probably as many in Killed, wounded and prisoners there as we did and left the field to us next morning. Col Reid came up from Shelbyville this evening and the other three Regts of our Brigade will be here to night and tomorrow morning we will start at six oclock for Bridgeport, on the opposite side of the River from Chattanooga. I may not have another opportunity of writing again for some days, but will write the first opportunity - would write at more length to night, but have two or three other letters to write and time forbids that I should write at much length - Hope you may have success in electing a Union man for Gov this fall, I have no right at the Ballot box (not being of age) but I have got my good right arm and have also got the muscles and the will and am just as good a man at the cartridge box as any of 'em Moore's boys, Bit - Rumer Bill Webber, Vance Warnick, Geo Church and in fact all the Rush Creek boys are well and ready for the onset Well I must close - Give my respects and best wishes to any friends I may have in Rushcreek - tell them all to go forward in the discharge of their duty as becomes an American citizen in a time like this when the nation is struggling for life and liberty - while enjoying your self at home, please think of the boys who are marching over the mountains in Tenn (with sore feet) for the purpose of meeting and vanquishing the Cursed Rebels and thereby aiding to crush this infernal damnable Rebellion and restoring peace to our country - Write soon As ever your affectionate Son L Anthony Patrick November 27, 1863 Sewanee House Nashville Tenn Nov 27/63 Dear Brother I left Columbus Monday night last and arrived at this place last night. If nothing happens I shall start for Chattanooga tomorrow. You have doubtless heard of the fighting at Chattanooga within the last five days, but I do not think my Rgt was in it as they were on this side of the Tenn. River doing guard duty and in fact I know they were not for I saw a Staff officer of our division today who told me they were not in the fight. I am very well and in good sprints - Give my best regards to all the copper heads about Rushsylvania for I think there are plenty of them there Write Soon Your [illegible] Linus February 9, 1864 Tyners Station Tenn Feb 9 1864 On Knoxville and Chattanooga RR Dear Father Your favor of Jan 30th rec'd to night and I take first opportunity of sending answer - you have certainly 'ere this rec'd a letter from me written from Rossville Geo about the 25 of Jan in which I gave an explanation of why I had not written to you and I would here state that the letter I am now answering is the first letter I have rec'd from you since leaving Columbus Ohio. I am in the enjoyment of tolerable good health and hope this may find the family well - We came from Rossville to this place last Sunday, but how long we shall remain here I do not know but I think our Brigade will be attached from the Division for the purpose of guarding the Rail Road from Chattanooga toward Knoxville and in fact I might say the whole Division will do similar duty as there are no two Brigades of it in the same place - one Brigade being at Rossville one at Chickamauga Station on the Chattanooga and Atlanta RR and ours at this place - the cars are running up this road as far as Cleveland and I think communication, by Rail, will be open from Chattanooga to Knoxville in a short time - the health of the Army is very good and their spirits are buoyant since the issuing of whole rations commenced which was about the 20 Jan, but the northern people will never know the suffering of the Army of the Cumberland for four months subsequent to the battle Of Chickamauga, yet not withstanding all that, thousands of them have re-enlisted as veterans and some of them immediately after performing that long and arduous march of nearly a month, from Chattanooga to Knoxville and return, where they had to depend entirely upon the barren and fruitless Country through which they passed for their subsistence but I suppose the people at home would say that it was all for Glory and the more they suffered the more of that desirable object they obtained. As to the movements of the Rebels in this Department you are probably better posted that I am, but my opinion is that there will be some stirring times here before the first of June, but that this Army will do the work allotted to it, I am confidant I passed over the Mission Ridge twice and viewed the Rebel works that our troops so gallantly stormed and carried on the 24 November, though little has been said about that battle in comparison to others, still I think it one of the greatest victories achieved by the Union Army during the war, and all must certainly come to the same conclusion after having viewed the ground - But our Army did not have to sustain one disadvantage which it generally does in all our hard-fought battles, and this is of coming upon the Enemy after a long, hard march with drooping spirits and tired limbs and then having to fight the battle at a disadvantage in position as well as everything else, but in this case the Army moved out of its quarters as if going on parade - the spirits of the men buoyant - Solid Columns well formed every man knew his place and felt - confident of victory for he could feel the touch of his comrades to the right and to the left and knew he had support, would that all our battles could be fought under like circumstances. I am very well satisfied as to the disposal you made of my money and any money that I may at any time send home you can lend to the same person, if convenient - I shall remember some of those friends you spoke of, especially those who refused to let Leon Manning have $25 to my credit last fall, I suppose you have notes for all the money you have lent of mine, you can have them drawn either in my name as you can payable to bearer I am acting as adjutant of the Regiment at present, but suppose I will be relieved and sent back to my Co in a few days as the Adjutant is expected to return in that time. I believe I have nothing more to say at present, but will close hoping to hear from you again soon As Ever Your Son Linus 121st Ohio Vols 2nd Brigade 2nd Division 14 Army Corps Via Chattanooga Tenn June 5, 1864 In the field between Dallas and Marietta Ga Sunday June 5 1864 My Dear Father I have another opportunity of writing you a few lines and I avail myself of it - Everything is progressing favorably and "the work goes bravely on" - Everything is quiet - this evening as the Rebels have fallen back from our front and it is indeed pleasant to have a few hours of quietude and rest after having been so long in or near the Storm and heat of battle - Since the 2nd day of May we have been under and near the fire of Artillery and musketry, twenty eight-days. I was over to see A. P Cutting this morning - he is well and in good spirits. - I have had no letter from you since I started on the Campaign and am therefore very anxious to hear from you - Jack Moore and all the Rushsylvania Boys are "all right" - Billy Anderson of the l3th was wounded last week in the leg - a flesh wound - As I am writing under great difficulties I will bring my few lines to close - Hoping to hear from you soon I remain Your Son Linus June 8, 1864 Bivouac 121st Ohio Vols Near Akworh Ga June 8 1864 Dear Father All right so far - Rebs falling back gradually and we manage to Keep tromping on their heels - the Army has been resting a day or two - will move again to morrow - are now within 25 miles of Atlanta - If Joe Johnson takes his army into the fortifications around Atlanta they are our Mean Billy will come the U.S Grant on them i.e. "gobble" them - Our Division has rejoined our Corps at last - We have marched farthur since leaving Ringgold than any other Division in the Army, as we come round by the way of Rome - The Army is in good spirits - have full rations every day since the Campaign opened - this Country is one vast cornfield - Rebs have soldiers detailed to plant it - guess we will save them the trouble of gathering it - they take all the citizens with them as they fall back so much the better for us as we will not have to feed them Write Soon Linus Postscript: I want you and Johnny Kautsman and Joe Fulton to go as substitutes for some of these conscripts

Title

Linus Anthony Patrick served with Company K, 121st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was killed in battle at Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia.

Correspondence from Linus

February 13, 1862

Roundhead Ohio
Feb 13 1862

Miss Poe

I send you a few lines according to promise to inform you what I know concerning the "Grand Fete" which is to be at Mr Lemen's tomorrow evening. As far as I can learn it is to be a "general pitch in" free for all who wish to attend, but I suppose you are as well posted on this matter as I am so I will close, hoping to see you soon yours & c

Linus A. Patrick

(on the back.): If a tract of land 6 1/2 miles long & four miles broad which cost $1 1/4 per acre be exchanged for the same quantity in the form of a square, & subsequently be divided into one hundred equal & square forms, 3/8 of which should bring at auction $11 3/4 per acre; 2/3 of them $12 per acre

[illegible writing]

October 27, 1862

Camp Reid, Perryville Kentucky
October 27, 1862

My Dear Father

Your kind and welcome letter was recd yesterday morning and I take
The very earliest opportunity of sending you an answer - I had began to think you had forgotten me, but I suppose it was on account of the mails as they have been very unregular since we have been here- our letters have been going on to our Brigade but yesterday and today the letters have been coming in by the whole sale - you wanted me to write & give a general description of the battle - Capt Odors death & c I wrote a letter to John McCullach and gave a general description of how our Regiment was taken into the engagement & all things pertaining there to & I have also just finished a letter to Capt. Odors wife in which I gave a full detail of Capt Odors death and it is therefor unnecessary for me to say any more upon the subject for I told McCullach to show you & and the rest of my friends his letter & Mrs Odor will undoubtedly do the same - Father it seems hard that - a Regiment like ours - which had been in the service but five weeks and nearly all that time spent in moving around should be be rushed right - into an engagement & that too right in the hottest of the fight - while old Regiments that have been in the service 12 and 14 months & and never smelt gun powder were laying on their arms & playing with their fingers a short distance away - I say it was murder to lead our regiment where they did in the condition it was in - I blame our colonel with it, for he need not have taken his Regiment from Camp Delaware when he did if he had not consented to it Our company is in a pretty bad fix at present - the 1st Lieut - has been sick ever since the battle & the 2nd Lieut was sick for a week or so & I then had to take charge of everything myself They both reported for duty again yesterday but it does not make it any easier for me - for when there Is anything to do they run for me & I either have to do it my-self or tell them what to do - Our 1st Lieut is an easy good natured sort of a fellow, but he is weakly & and if he was stout he would never make a military officer - Our 2nd Lieut I have told you of & as he is not worth speaking of I will not say any thing more about him - I told Ben's wife to send Richard Odor and John Rumer after him & now if they come which I want them to do have them to take a store box and bring some things for the boys There was a fellow came down from Delaware the other day & brought a box full of things for the boys - The boys needs dried and canned fruit - green apples and some thing of that - kind - I would like to have two under - shirts & a pair of kid skin moracco gloves lined inside with something soft and warm - I would like for you to speak with some of the citizens who are deeply interested in this matter & have them see all the friends of the boys & have these things sent if Odor and Rumer come after Ben - which I want them to do - The boys from Rushsylvania are generally all well - Lawson Roberts is in the hospital & I tell you we miss him for he was all life when he was with us- Dave Dorman is still at louisville & Bratton is at camp Dennison - But Rumer went to the hospital on saturday he has the ague he was up here to day & will report for duty in a day or two Johnny Wintz is also at the hospital but will be all right soon - Bill Konkle is at the company able for duty he wanted to come to the company two or three days before he did but the surgeon would not let him Andy Sweeny is just as good a soldier as there is in the Regiment he has never missed a roll call except when on duty or excused he is cooking for a mess at present & is up every morning at 4 he sends his best respects to you and all the rest of his friends - Do you know any thing about our county bounty? If you know any process by which we can get it I wish you would tell me, for I would like to have you get mine & use what you need of it & and put the rest in safe keeping I shall have to close soon I want you to write soon & and write often for nothing gives me more pleasure than to hear from you

Hoping to hear from you soon & remain
as ever your obedient and affectionate son,
Linus

Send your letter to Perryville via Louisville to follow

November 4, 1862

Camp Reid near Perryville Kentucky
Nov. 4, 1862

Dear Father, Mother, Brother & Sister

I received a letter from Lucy a short time since & take the first opportunity of sending you an answer, to inform you that I am not dead but alive & well, able for duty & my rations, Nothing of any importance has occurred here since I wrote you last - we are still in camp here drilling & guarding the sick & wounded from any attack by the Rebels, as soon as they are removed we will probably go farther down into the land of Dixie - While Ben Odor was alive I was contented & happy, since he died I have not liked the condition of affairs in our company, but I hope we will have things in a better condition shortly - I am still contented with the service & want to see the thing through Some of the boys have been up about the colonels office & say a dispatch has just come in for us to march to morrow morning at six oclock whether it is true or not I do not know nor do I care - When I came into the service I weighed but one hundred & sixty nine pounds. I was up at the Quarter Master's to day & was weighed & I weighed one hundred and seventy seven pounds having gained 8 pounds since I came into the Army - the report that we have to march to morrow is true - we have orders to march at three oclock to morrow morning & I have just been around to the different Messes telling the cooks to prepare three days rations & have the men pack them in their haversacks & as it is now about seven oclock P.M. I will have to close for I have a great deal to do tonight - the Lieut. is going down town to see old Glover our 2nd Lieut who is down at the hospital & I have charge of things - When those men come for Ben send me some things - two undershirts & one pair of gloves & the boots if Bob Moore has them done but I will write as soon as we stop again & let you know where we are - No more at present Write Soon

Your affectionate Son

Linus
Co. K 121
Reg. Ohio Volunteer

P.S.
Send your letter via Louisville to follow Regiment
Linus

November 11, 1862

Lebanon Marion County Kentucky
Nov, 11, 1862

My Dear Father

Your kind letter of the 5th inst has just been read and I proceed immediately to answer it - I wrote you a letter yesterday and mailed it this morning, we were on provost - guard down in town at that time, but we have been relieved, we were relieved today at twelve oclock, by a portion of the 50th Ohio, one of the Regiments of our Brigade - Our Brigade which is composed of the 98th, 50th, & l2lst Ohio Regiments and the 80th Indiana Regiment are all encamped together about half a mile from the edge of town - we have a very pleasant place to camp in, or it will be as soon as it is cleaned up which they are doing as fast as possible, it is in an oak wood pasture and has been used to feed in, consequently there is a great deal of rubbish in the camp, it has been raked up in piles & they are burning it this afternoon, & it is so smokey that a person can hardly walk through the camp - We have not got any tents yet, but I quarter in the Lieutenants tents as I have to take care of the Company books - you wanted to know what kind of transportation there was to where we are. The transportation is good now & will be as long as we stay here You can come all the way from Rushsylvania to Lebanon by rail-road either via of Cincinnati and Louisville or via Indianapolis & Louisville, the fare will be about - $10, or at least that is what a man told me he had to pay from Delaware Ohio and the distance is about the same - I want good, fine. Knit shirts the largest and longest you can get - I hope Rumer has started long ere this reaches you & I hope he has my shirts, boots, gloves & c & some provision for the company - if he has not started yet, have him start immediately. We have no commissioned officers elected or appointed yet, but I suppose we will have to have two as our 2nd Lieut is about to resign as he has just this moment sold his uniform - he was left back at Perryville & came up yesterday - Father I hope you will excuse me for not writing a longer letter, but I recd four or five letters to day & as our company came off Provost guard to day, we are off duty this afternoon & I want to answer some of them & our company is a little mixed up some of the sick men coming up from Perryville & it will require some time to get the books straightened up again & my head is so confused that I can scarcely think of anything, but I guess I have written everything necessary - Send Rumer with the thingsd if he has not started, for now is the best chance he will ever have- Write soon

Your affectionate Son
Linus A Patrick
send your letter to Lebanon via Louisville

(top of letter upside down): I want my boots made large so I can march in them easily - I wish I had a five dollar green back - until we draw our money

(at bottom): Do not have Bob Moore make my boots too small

December 6, 1862

Columbia Adair County Kentucky
December 6th 1862

Dear Father

Lucys letter of the 29th November was recd yesterday & I hasten to answer - who has been telling that nothing can be expressed to us? I wish some people would attend to their own business! When I send for anything I want it - Did you get the letter I sent to Bob Moore? Send those boots shirts & things right off as soon as you receive this, if you have not already sent them - send me two pounds of good smoking tobacco - Jack Moore and Joseph Moore want Bob to send their things so you can put them all in one box & send together pay the charges there and it will come all right. Direct to Linus A Patrick Company K 12lst Regiment 0.V.I 34th Brigade Lebanon Ky via Louisville to be forwarded to Regiment & we will get it for our teams have to go to Lebanon every few day & they bring all packages for the Regt - If you have the money to spare you may send it to me by letter - Direct your letter to Colombia Kentucky via Louisville to follow Regt We have gone into winter quarters here & will stay here all winter if nothing happens - write soon & send the box immediately, but I hope the box has started ere this

No More Your Son
Linus

Did you receive that package of letters sent home

[To Bob Moore]

Bob Moore

Jo & Jack both need a pair of boots & want you to make them for them these corn field gaiters the government furnishes are poor things for winter - make our boots & let the people at home wait & when the pay master comes around we will load you down with green backs - a heavy sole is best for army use - I can write nothing more for I am in a great hurry to get this in before the mail goes out

Yours & C
Linus Patrick

Bob if you get my boots made in time you must make the[m] plent[y] large & a very heavy sole with light tops Also Linuses the same "very large" please send those other things that Jack and I sent for. Tell those people that know so much about our things coming through to look to their own business. We are all firstrate - We have about 1 inch of snow on the ground & those gaiters are awful cold to the feel - we have gone into new quarters right in the centre of a 1,000 acre block where the Rebs could not find us in a month we have a Brush fence round us for rifle pits so they could not take us by surprise if they were to come across us in haste

Joseph Moore

December 1862 (fragment)

[Probably December 1862]

N.B.

We belong to Websters Brigade Jackson Division McCooks corpse. Webster & Jackson were both killed the day of the battle. I would like to have Bob Moore make me a pait of calfskin boots, doble felt threble soles and send them to me. If he makes them he must be very careful to make them to large.

Linus

December 10, 1862

Colombia Kentucky
December 10 1862

Dear Father

I take this opportunity of sending you a few lines - William Odor recd a letter from Jesse Roberts today in which he said he would give two dollars for the purpose of bearing Bob Moores expenses to the Regt & back - we consulted the matter over this evening & Jack, Jo, & all the rest of the boys concluded it would be the safest plan of getting our things to have him come along with them provided the people who are interested in Co K 121st - O.V.I would donate liberally toward bearing his expenses which I think they will undoubtedly do, but we do not want him to come & lose his time & have to bear his own expenses So I guess you had better make a subscription & and get the money & start Bob right off as soon as you can get the things ready - it will take about thirty dollars to bear his expenses here & back - he can come to Louisville either via Cincinnati or Indianapolis though I believe the latter to be the best route from Louisville he can come to Lebanon by rail & from there to Columbia by stage or government wagons at his pleasure I think he had better come as we expect to stay here some length of time & may be the last opportunity he will ever have of paying us a visit & we would all give every thing we have to see some person from home - the 121st was inspected yesterday on Company & Battalion Drill by Gen Gilberts Inspector General who pronounced us a good Regt & not to be compared with new troops generally The health of the boys is generally good I got a letter from David Dormen & he thinks he will soon be able to join the Regt. no more - have Bob to come with out fail & bring lots of letters

Linus

postscipt page 1. I forgot to say that I am still able for half duty & double rations "All quiet on the Potomac"

postcript page 2: Let Esqr[?] Porter of Belellefontaine know that Bob is coming & he will give something toward bearing his expenses

January 9, 1863

New Haven Kentucky
January 9th 1863

My Dear Father

We arrived at this place to day & were very agreeably surprised to find our old friend Josh Gregg here waiting for us with a great big box full of nice things from home. We feel happy indeed to think that while we are enduring the hard-ships of a soldiers life for the sake of preserving the best of countries, we are not forgotten by our kind friends at home who are preserving the peaceful avocations of civil life - the things were messed up some as they had to be examined & replaced at Louisville, but they came through as well as could be expected; nothing was seriously damaged. Joe Moore found a can peaches spilled in his boots & a few other trifling accidents occured. I believe was all the damage the things sustained. My boots fit very well & are very good ones for the kind, but I would have been much more pleased if I could have gotten a pair of Bob Moores like make Joes & Jacks, but I am willing to put up with these for the present & will have Bob to make me a pair this winter for the muddy spring weather we have had had quite a chase after old John Morgan within the last ten days, but it is unnecessary for me to give you the full details of the matter as Josh will give you all the particulars as we give them to him, suffice to say that the thing was not properly managed or we could have either captured old Morgan or hurt him pretty badly. Colonel Haskins of the 12th Kentucky had command of the forces If Col Reid could have had his way I think the thing could have terminated differently - this is the first flight we have had tents to sleep in since the 31st of December & since that time we have marched 100 miles & it has rained two or three days & nights. During our march from Campbellsville to this place we come through some of the most God forsaken Country I ever saw, but this is a very nice place surrounded by a very nice country. How long we will stay here I do not know, but I think we will go south before long probably to Memphis or Nashville Tennessee - The boys are all very thankful to their friends at home for the things sent them & also to Josh for being so kind as to bring them down. We all return our sincere thanks to Granny Slater, Aron Grabiel George & others for donating so liberally toward sending our things - I rec'd Mothers & Lucys letter, give my respects and love to the family - I believe I have nothing more to write this time so I will close hoping to hear from you soon

Believe me to be as ever your affectionate Son
Linus

(Top of Last Page): Send your letter via Louisville to follow Regt.

March 4, 1863

Franklin Tennessee
March 4 1863

Dear Father

I received a letter from Lucy yesterday which said you had not heard from me since I sent the money home I wrote to you since we came here but I suppose had not recieved it when you wrote last, you need not think I have forgotten you yet - Six Companies of our Regt are quartered in town & the other four are across the River- Our pickets have had a little brush with the Enemy almost every day & night since we have been here A force consisting of five Regiments of Infantry, three Regimants of Cavalry, & one Battery started toward Columbia this morning - Columbia is twenty four miles from here & they say the Rebels are in force there - there was quite a fire here day before yesterday & if the soldiers had not taken hold of the Engine & pitched in generally, one whole block would have been burnt down & it might have burnt before I would have lent a helping hand to put it out - This was a delightful town once, but it has played out all the young men are in the Rebel Army - the Rebels feel the war in this town,they being Rebels can not get passes outside our lines to get wood & they have to cut down the shade trees on the side walks & in their yards for wood & as we destroyed a flouring mill they are hard up for something to eat - John Douglas of our company died Sunday morning She (?) is not well yet he is over the River do not fail to go to Bellefontaine & get those photographs taken from the picture I sent home from Cincinnati - we rec'd letters from Indianapolis which stated that three of the Mt. Victory Boys who deserted have been arrested

I got the postage stamps - I got a letter from home yesterday - Don't fail to get the photographs - no more this time write soon and send your letter same as before

Your affectionate Son
Linus

March 17, 1863

Franklin Tennessee
March 17th 1863

Dear Father

Your kind & ever welcome letter was recd yesterday & I hasten to send you an answer I have been unwell for about ten days I came to the Hospital day before yesterday, the Doctor thought I would soon get better if I would come to the Hospital where I would have a good soft bed to sleep on & take good care of myself - I am able to walk around a good part of the time ~ They are using a large Seminary for a Hospital & it makes a very nice one, but give me health and the tented field in preference for this place - Emerson [Silas Emerson] is in the same Hospl I am, sick with the measles, so you see our company is in a bad condition - Old Glover [Joseph F. Glover] has sent in his resignation & is waiting for his papers so he can return home - the old fellow has been very friendly to me since he has been here & has brought me any thing I wanted to eat since I have been sick - I rec'd a letter from Leon Manning the other day & he said you had been reading some of his old letters that I sent home, he was very mad about it - If Dave Barnett Of Belle-Centre calls on you for four dollars and seventy five cents ($4.75) pay it to him I owe that amount to John Barnett & he wants I should have you pay it to Dave as I am sick I guess you had better send me 2 or 3 dollars - Tell John McCulloch I rec'd his letter of March 2nd in due time & would have answered it before this if I had been well - I rec'd a letter from Dobie and Willis Carson two or three days ago but I can not answer it now - I also rec'd one from Dave Dorman - If you see Dave or his folks give him my best wishes & tell him I do not blame him for going home - Three of our Mt Victory boys have come back to the company but George Araie[?] & two Mt Victory boys are still gone - I suppose you have seen by the Cincin Coml of The 7th & 9th inst that we had quite a fuss near this place 10 or 12 days ago If the people want to know what the Democrats in the army think of Vallandingham let them write to Andy Sweeny he is a democrat & so am I but Gods not a traitor yet - I have had Rebels tell me that Ohio had one good man & that was Vallandingham If the soldiers have the privelege of voting they will show the people how many friends vallandigham has in the army - write soon direct as before

Your Affectionate son
Linus
Peach trees are in bloom
here & the people are making [illegible]

April 12, 1863

Franklin, Tennessee
April 12th, 1863

Dear Father

I sit me down this evening to send you a few lines thinking perhaps you may be anxious to hear how Co "K" 121st O.V.I. Is coming on- Well in the first place we had a little fight here day before yesterday - About 12 o'clock a few thousand Rebel Cavalry thought they would dash into Franklin & feel for us - The Old 4Oth O.V.I. was on picket over the River 800 strong - (one Regiment goes over the River on picket each day besides the cavalry out posts) The 40th has been in the service over a year & was never in a fight and the boys were spoiling to get at the "Grey Backs" - The Rebel Cavalry charged on the pickets who fell back on the reserve in good order, keeping up a brisk fire all the time - The Rebels charged on the Regiment several times but the Buckeyes stood their ground, driving them back every time

Some of the Rebels run our sick soldiers from the hospital to the River & were shot by the guards at the pontoon bridge within one hundred yards of where the bridge crosses over into our camp

Our 32 pound siege guns opened on them about 1 1/2 [1:30] PM shelling the woods for miles & killing any quantity of "Grey Backs"- We marched out yesterday morning at five o'clock about 3 1/2 miles out the Murfreesburo Pike to relieve the 125th and 113th O.V.I. who stood there the night before - when I said we marched out I should have said the 98th & 121st O.V.I.

We remained there until 3 P.m. & seeing no Rebs we returned to camp The Rebel caught thunder day before yesterday & if they undertake to take this place I think they will have a nice time - Lieut Col Banning of the 125th O.V.I. has been assigned to the command of our Reg. & a good officer he is too - he has been a Capt in the 4th O.V.I. ever since thc war broke out - he "commanded the 87th O.V.I. in the three months service last summer- I understand John Heagi drove in the Harris pickets the day of the election when a brisk engagement ensued

Bleage being the best maneuver outflanked Harris on the left and got a raking fire on him which Harris after sustaining a few minutes with heavy loss, broke and fled in confusion, he again rallied to charge on his assailant but his artillery being inferior to that of Bleage he very wisely fell back on Johnny Koutmans Ale Keg - We expect to be paid off tomorrow the paymaster has been over to nag us of twice but we were on picket both days - the 88th were paid off last Wednesday - my respects to all my friends Yours for the Union

Linus

We got lots of good new cloths today

Postscript p.1: Did McCulloch get my letter requesting him to write to west & how my commission made out? Glovers resignation is accepted he took my recommendation to Columbus when he went home- have Mc do this if hes not done it

April 15, 1863

Franklin Tennessee
April 15th, 1863

Dear Father

Lucy's letter of April 10th containing Internal Revenue Stamps was received to day and I hasten to send you an answer I believe I wrote you a few lines since we had the brush here last friday but to tell you the truth I have been so awful busy the last few days that I cannot remember to day what I did yesterday - I want you to take that picture to Bellefontaine and get those photographs taken right off. I wish you had not waited to write to me for you might have known I wanted them but get them taken now - Last sunday we drew plenty nice substantial clothing and on Monday we received two months pay - So we are well clod and have plenty of "Green Backs" in our pockets Uncle Sam has given us good clothing & paid us up to the lst of March and why should we not be contented & happy & willing to fight for him - I sold that note for $220 cash & I drew two months pay which was $40 making in all $260. I sent home $150 by the State Agent the receipt for which you will find in this letter, I kept $110 as I may need some this money you will draw through the County Auditor you will probably receive this letter before the money reaches Ohio as the Agt is not going to leave here until next Monday & I saw a Regt of East Tennessee Cavalry lost Saturday Father why is it that those men, who live in the very heart of rebellion & are surrounded on all sides by Rebels and traitors rush to the support of our common country and are willing to lay down their lives for the preservation of the glorious liberties we enjoy while hundreds & thousands of men in the great loyal state of Ohio where the iron hell of oppression has never trampled them in their wish openly avow their sympathies for [Jeff Davis and his] rotten confederacy?

The day of Retribution is coming when the home traitors of the North will meet their just reward - Hell with its wide extended jaws is gaping to receive the cowardly, traitorous wretches - The Butternut ticket "Kinder played out" did it? Bully for that - Some person wrote to one of our Company that there was not a Rebel Sympathizer in Rushcreek Township heaven only knows I hope it is true - Lieut Henderson 1st Lieut of Company "A" of our Regiment has been assigned to the command of our Co and I am glad of it for it takes the responsibilities off of my shoulders

He is a good officer and a noble hearted fellow, he has been recommended for Capt of our Company, the boys all like him first rate & he & I get along as well as two men possibly could - he lives in Union Co Ohio - he is acquainted with Jesse Roberts as he is a member of the Campbellite Church - when you receive the money of which I am sending home I want you to pay all the debts I owe - you can then post this notice up in the Post Office - Ask John McColloch if he rec'd that letter & if he wrote to west - I believe I have nothing more to write this time so I will soon close hoping to hear from you very soon - Direct as usual Nashville Tennessee to follow Regt - My love to the family & respect to all my union friend

Yours for the Union Unconditionally
L. Anthony Patrick
Co. "K" 121st O.V.I.
Right Brigade
Gen Gilberts Command
Franklin Tennessee

Postscript bottom right corner: I understand that the reason the Rebels made that dash the other day was that they had heard we had but twenty five hundred men here but I rather guess if they should count them they would find that many thousand

Post script bottom left corner: old Johnny Wintz the way worn warstained & weather beaten soldier is married is he? He [illegible] a gay old soldier if he was married along with a full Knapsack & tired to death I should see some old horseshoes lying in the road he would nick them up He used to do that in Kentucky

April 27, 1863

Franklin Tennessee
April 27th 1863

Dear Father

Lucy's letter of April 21st received yesterday & I take the first opportunity of sending an answer. I need more money than I kept. You will therefore send me ($30) thirty -dollars of the money I sent home as soon as you receive it. We are fortifying this place and one or two weeks more will make a strong position of it - A force of Cavalry went out this morning about three oclock - There being some demonstration made in front - and returned a while ago with over a hundred prisoners, their horses, equipment & c - The Rebs were on picket to stand seven days but the Yankees relieved them before their time was out - The health of the Army here is good & improving everyday - the men are rapidly becoming well drilled & disciplined, they are mostly new troops raised last fall The Artillery & Infantry is Ohio, Indiana & Illinois Troops - the Cavalry is Michigan Pennsylvania & Kentucky troops we are all in good spirits & all we ask is for the people at home to support us and we will save the Country or die in the attempt Our motto is to "Put our trust in Old Rosey' and keep our powder dry"

I believe I have nothing more to write this time so I will close hoping to hear from you soon.

As ever Your affectionate Son
Linus

May 3, 1863

Head Quarters Company "K"
121st Regiment Ohio Vol Infty
Gilberts Brigade Grangers Division
In camp near Franklin Tennessee

May 3rd 1363

Dear Father: Your favor of April 30th is at hand and contents noted. I owed Cox, Kautsman, William George & Bob Moore probably some others I can not think of If you doubt their accounts have them swear to them & a man who will swear to a lie to obtain money from a Soldier dishonestly will do any thing - I believe I owed Stephen Stilwell some - Abe Hatcher is sick in Hospital - the rest of the boys are generally well

The first two letters of the mans name who wrote that there was not a Rebel sympathizer in Rushcreek Township are Duncan Hatcher

Our Regt as well as the Regts composing our Brigade, started out on a scout Friday morning at Two oclock A.M. and marched about Seven miles south of here toward Columbia - The Rebel Pickets retired as we we were marching out and followed up and fired on our Rear Guard coming in

You may send me two or three of those photographs - give one to Ben Odor's widow. Send one to John Cutting & Keep the rest for my disposal - Nothing of interest occurring here at present. the work on the fortifications goes quietly on - Tell Slater he had better keep a white rag in his shop to hoist in case of a sudden attack by the butternuts

If Muslins are so high that be does not deal in that article any more he can, send down to the long brick and get a piece or if they have none he can Get McCulloughs Signal flag or if he cannot get that he can stand in the door and stick out his shirt tail

Shall I send to the Editor of the Nashville Union and have him send you a copy of the Nashville Weekly Union for one year? It comes at one dollar per year and is one of the best Union papers published in the United States - No more at present

Write Soon
As Ever your obedient Son
Linus

June 26, 1863

Murfreesboro Tenn
June 26th 1863

Dear Father: I left Nashville on the 23rd and came to Triune and found our troops all gone. I stayed all night and came within five miles of here the next day. I borrowed a horse of the 6th[?] Ky Cav to carry me through. I got here yesterday - It has been raining for three days & the roads are awful as hundreds of wagons travel over them every day - All our baggage and some of our boys are here - the boys with the Regiment have nothing with them but a rubber blanket a piece - Rosecrans whole army is moving - there has been fighting every day since they have been moving between our cavalry and the Enemy there has not been much Infantry fighting yet This is the stillest movement I ever heard Of - Rosecrans Army left here day before yesterday morning & the Nashville dailies yesterday knew nothing of it - Rosecran's Head Quarters are ten miles out the Woodbury Pike - our Army Corps (Grangers) is ten or twelve miles out on the Shelbyville Pike - I think a general engagement will take place soon The trip from Triune here through the mud and rain has almost made me sick again - I Saw Leander Miller this morning - his Division (Van Cleves) is holding the fortifications here - No More

As ever Your Son
Linus

September 7, 1863

Cowan Station Tenn
Sept 7 1863

My Dear Father

Your Kind favor of Sept 3rd was received this evening and I hasten to send you an answer.

That we have moved from Shelbyville to Fayetteville and from there to this place, you have doubtless heard 'ere this, so that it is unnecessary for me to say anything more upon the subject

Am very much obliged to you for the shirt - hope I may be able to repay you for your Kindness to me in sending so promptly everything I send for.

That Rosecrans is moving on Chattanooga, you have heard 'ere this - The right, left and centre corps of the Army have moved forward some time since and most of them are across the Tennessee River - everything looks favorable to a big fight at Chattanooga and I only hope that I may have a finger in the pie.

Burnside is rushing down through East Tenn on our left flank and will strike simultaneously with Rosecrans - when last heard from, he was near Knoxville. It may take Rosecrans some time to take Chattanooga, but he will take it so sure as the Rebels make a stand there, which they undoubtedly will as the place is well fortified, it being a natural fortification, You need not be uneasy, nor think that Rosecrans might move more rapidly, he is a cautious Genl and moves slowly, but surely - his base of operations is now 150 miles from his base of supplies and his main transportation for subsistance, is the Nashville and Chattanooga Rail Road, which it takes a small Army to guard, for should his communication in that direction be cut off, his Army would indeed be in a precarious situation, and should he be defeated, And that communication cut off he would still be in a worse condition, for he would have to retreat over the Cumberlands Mountains, where ten miles square would not afford enough forage to feed a whippoorwill so it is better that he should be six months in taking the place, than that he should be defeated - If the Rebels stand the siege and their communication can be cut off between Chattanooga and Atlanta, we will then have them in good shape to capture Braggs whole Army, I think by putting our trust in Rosey and keeping our powder dry, that we will come out victorious, for the western Army has never yet suffered a defeat, except at Perryville, and the Rebels lost probably as many in Killed, wounded and prisoners there as we did and left the field to us next morning.

Col Reid came up from Shelbyville this evening and the other three Regts of our Brigade will be here to night and tomorrow morning we will start at six oclock for Bridgeport, on the opposite side of the River from Chattanooga.

I may not have another opportunity of writing again for some days, but will write the first opportunity - would write at more length to night, but have two or three other letters to write and time forbids that I should write at much length - Hope you may have success in electing a Union man for Gov this fall, I have no right at the Ballot box (not being of age) but I have got my good right arm and have also got the muscles and the will and am just as good a man at the cartridge box as any of 'em

Moore's boys, Bit - Rumer Bill Webber, Vance Warnick, Geo Church and in fact all the Rush Creek boys are well and ready for the onset

Well I must close - Give my respects and best wishes to any friends I may have in Rushcreek - tell them all to go forward in the discharge of their duty as becomes an American citizen in a time like this when the nation is struggling for life and liberty - while enjoying your self at home, please think of the boys who are marching over the mountains in Tenn (with sore feet) for the purpose of meeting and vanquishing the Cursed Rebels and thereby aiding to crush this infernal damnable Rebellion and restoring peace to our country - Write soon

As ever your affectionate Son
L Anthony Patrick

November 27, 1863

Sewanee House
Nashville Tenn
Nov 27/63

Dear Brother

I left Columbus Monday night last and arrived at this place last night. If nothing happens I shall start for Chattanooga tomorrow. You have doubtless heard of the fighting at Chattanooga within the last five days, but I do not think my Rgt was in it as they were on this side of the Tenn. River doing guard duty and in fact I know they were not for I saw a Staff officer of our division today who told me they were not in the fight. I am very well and in good sprints - Give my best regards to all the copper heads about Rushsylvania for I think there are plenty of them there Write Soon

Your [illegible]
Linus

February 9, 1864

Tyners Station Tenn
Feb 9 1864
On Knoxville and Chattanooga RR

Dear Father

Your favor of Jan 30th rec'd to night and I take first opportunity of sending answer - you have certainly 'ere this rec'd a letter from me written from Rossville Geo about the 25 of Jan in which I gave an explanation of why I had not written to you and I would here state that the letter I am now answering is the first letter I have rec'd from you since leaving Columbus Ohio.

I am in the enjoyment of tolerable good health and hope this may find the family well - We came from Rossville to this place last Sunday, but how long we shall remain here I do not know but I think our Brigade will be attached from the Division for the purpose of guarding the Rail Road from Chattanooga toward Knoxville and in fact I might say the whole Division will do similar duty as there are no two Brigades of it in the same place - one Brigade being at Rossville one at Chickamauga Station on the Chattanooga and Atlanta RR and ours at this place - the cars are running up this road as far as Cleveland and I think communication, by Rail, will be open from Chattanooga to Knoxville in a short time - the health of the Army is very good and their spirits are buoyant since the issuing of whole rations commenced which was about the 20 Jan, but the northern people will never know the suffering of the Army of the Cumberland for four months subsequent to the battle Of Chickamauga, yet not withstanding all that, thousands of them have re-enlisted as veterans and some of them immediately after performing that long and arduous march of nearly a month, from Chattanooga to Knoxville and return, where they had to depend entirely upon the barren and fruitless Country through which they passed for their subsistence but I suppose the people at home would say that it was all for Glory and the more they suffered the more of that desirable object they obtained.

As to the movements of the Rebels in this Department you are probably better posted that I am, but my opinion is that there will be some stirring times here before the first of June, but that this Army will do the work allotted to it, I am confidant I passed over the Mission Ridge twice and viewed the Rebel works that our troops so gallantly stormed and carried on the 24 November, though little has been said about that battle in comparison to others, still I think it one of the greatest victories achieved by the Union Army during the war, and all must certainly come to the same conclusion after having viewed the ground - But our Army did not have to sustain one disadvantage which it generally does in all our hard-fought battles, and this is of coming upon the Enemy after a long, hard march with drooping spirits and tired limbs and then having to fight the battle at a disadvantage in position as well as everything else, but in this case the Army moved out of its quarters as if going on parade - the spirits of the men buoyant - Solid Columns well formed every man knew his place and felt - confident of victory for he could feel the touch of his comrades to the right and to the left and knew he had support, would that all our battles could be fought under like circumstances.

I am very well satisfied as to the disposal you made of my money and any money that I may at any time send home you can lend to the same person, if convenient - I shall remember some of those friends you spoke of, especially those who refused to let Leon Manning have $25 to my credit last fall, I suppose you have notes for all the money you have lent of mine, you can have them drawn either in my name as you can payable to bearer

I am acting as adjutant of the Regiment at present, but suppose I will be relieved and sent back to my Co in a few days as the Adjutant is expected to return in that time.

I believe I have nothing more to say at present, but will close hoping to hear from you again soon

As Ever
Your Son
Linus

121st Ohio Vols 2nd Brigade
2nd Division 14 Army Corps
Via Chattanooga Tenn

June 5, 1864

In the field between
Dallas and Marietta Ga
Sunday June 5 1864

My Dear Father

I have another opportunity of writing you a few lines and I avail myself of it - Everything is progressing favorably and "the work goes bravely on" - Everything is quiet - this evening as the Rebels have fallen back from our front and it is indeed pleasant to have a few hours of quietude and rest after having been so long in or near the Storm and heat of battle - Since the 2nd day of May we have been under and near the fire of Artillery and musketry, twenty eight-days. I was over to see A. P Cutting this morning - he is well and in good spirits. - I have had no letter from you since I started on the Campaign and am therefore very anxious to hear from you - Jack Moore and all the Rushsylvania Boys are "all right" - Billy Anderson of the l3th was wounded last week in the leg - a flesh wound - As I am writing under great difficulties I will bring my few lines to close - Hoping to hear from you soon I remain

Your Son
Linus

June 8, 1864

Bivouac 121st Ohio Vols
Near Akworh Ga
June 8 1864

Dear Father

All right so far - Rebs falling back gradually and we manage to Keep tromping on their heels - the Army has been resting a day or two - will move again to morrow - are now within 25 miles of Atlanta - If Joe Johnson takes his army into the fortifications around Atlanta they are our Mean Billy will come the U.S Grant on them i.e. "gobble" them - Our Division has rejoined our Corps at last - We have marched farthur since leaving Ringgold than any other Division in the Army, as we come round by the way of Rome - The Army is in good spirits - have full rations every day since the Campaign opened - this Country is one vast cornfield - Rebs have soldiers detailed to plant it - guess we will save them the trouble of gathering it - they take all the citizens with them as they fall back so much the better for us as we will not have to feed them

Write Soon
Linus

Postscript: I want you and Johnny Kautsman and Joe Fulton to go as substitutes for some of these conscripts

MMS 1157 - Linus Patrick Correspondence, Part 2

Center for Archival Collections

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Correspondence from Linus

February 13, 1862

October 27, 1862

November 4, 1862

November 11, 1862

December 6, 1862

[To Bob Moore]

December 1862 (fragment)

December 10, 1862

January 9, 1863

March 4, 1863

March 17, 1863

April 12, 1863

April 15, 1863

April 27, 1863

May 3, 1863

June 26, 1863

September 7, 1863

November 27, 1863

February 9, 1864

June 5, 1864

June 8, 1864