Nov. 1862

Nov. 1862

Nov. 9, 1862

in camp near Bowling Green

Nov the 9^th – 62

Dear Wife I again took my pen in hand to let you now that I am well I never had better health in my life I received a letter from John Hitisman a few days ago and he said you was all well I intended to have answered his letter before I started from this place but it is now nine oh and we have just marching orders and we start tomorrow morning in the direction Nashville and I will answer his letter the first opportunity

Mr Whitcome left here yesterday and and I supose he will be see you before this letter reaches you sent something with him to you and I sent some word to John which I would like to for him to answer

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as soon as possible I thought that I would get the word before I left this place but I will not get it   I saw James Neeh this evening and I saw John Emery and they are well James Looks as well as I ever saw him The boys that came with me is all well and hearty as need to be, will not get paid now until we get to Nashville

And I do not now how soon we will get paid but I will will send you the money or bring it my self as soon as I get it you mus keep enough money by you to answer your purposes and dont scant yourself take good care of yourself and children so I will close Give my respects to all, Milton is well I will write as soon as we stop

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so no more at present but remain your effectonat husband

Thorton Thompson

to Catharin Thompson

       My Thoughts
     Letter Condition - This letter was written in a hurry and under dress.   He states that is is nine o'clock and they are packing up camp to move in the morning.   The pen and ink still seem to be of good quality but the letters are not as well formed and the lines are not a crisp.   Still a very readable letter.

Nov. 12, 1862

Bowling Green Nov the 12 – 62

Dear Companion We started from Franfort on on the 26^th of last month on Sunday morning the Snow Road is dry and it looked first winterish we started at sevenoh and marched to Larnchburg and from their to Bardstown and from their to Newhaven and from their to Munfordville and from their to Bowling Green making in all one hundred and sixty five miles now we are at Bowling on last Tuesday just before sundown and camped about two miles beyond Bowling Green at the Sinking Springs which is quit a curiosity the water will rise up in one place and a few rods from their it will sink again there is a cave just below that has been explored four miles and there is quite stream of water running through

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the cave there is several apartments in the cave and you can go in and you will pasing on the right and left that you can be in every direction I started in to explore it and thought that I would travel around in it for two or three hours but I found it a a very rough dark and muddy and did not go very far if to stay here a few days I may go all through it _______ Jess Hillsman was with me in Bowling Green when we got here the first of the week as we was marching through streets he came up and slapped me on the shoulder and I turned around and who but Unkle Jesse He went to camp that night with us and toyed all night with us and the next night we went to the 17^th Regt and stayed all night with John Ely and the boys

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John is well and John Duff is well and George Hitsman well and Lsie Longman is well and George Ent is well and hearty Burris Bowman is well and hearty A_f_ St John is well and all the rest of the boys from our neighborhood is well when I came from their this morning    They had marching orders to be ready to march around 9oh but the order may be countermanded    I stood the march very well except my feet got a little sore on the last day or two    I have marched three hundred miles since Ive come to Kentucky and I never have been in a wagon or a horse and always up with my companions    We have the best company in the regiment I marched them the last day march sixteen miles and they all came in and stacked arms and never was out

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rank while marching the whole day that is the did not straggle out to side of the road in fact their was not a stragler in the whole regiment but the other two regts that belong to our brigade you could not tell where their ranks was we have the name of being the best marching regt in Ky    They say just first the 79^th the lead and they will take them through the sucker call is Dam Long Leged Devels and we have the name of being the best disaplined regt for the chance we have had in the service tell Mr Morsbach that I saw Sigmond and he is well I did not get to talk with but a minuet he was driving a team and wagon their way to Glascow forward the Cumberland mountains I was in what is called Horse Cave and was through it in about 8 miles from _____ Fradsville it is quite a curiosity and I sent you a specimin of crystalised ____ with ______ ______ that came out of the cave

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Continued

in the letter that I got of Alf St John you asked that should let you now if I should get sick if get very sick I will let you now _______ Dately and I want you to come and it makes no difference where I am I want you to come but I am in hopes that I will not get sick if have my health keeps as good as it is at present is all I ask, I want William to attend selling the hay and I will pay him for it Get Unkle Charles to stay with you this winter I think you can if will read those letter to him that sent you tell George that I will answer his letter as soon Get an add spell I want him to

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goos boy and go to school and learn as fast as he can and John and _______ to be good children and go to school and learn as fast as they can and Floria must be a good girl to and when I come home I will get them all a nice suit You must get William to take some of them act's and colect them if he can and I will pay him for it, and want you to write and let me now whether you have the herse on the old gearing and whether Willet painted the old runing gear or not and if he did not get them painted and the wagon bed to, and for the hogs if you think three hogs will be enough all right but what pigs you keep over Jake the gbest of them and those

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pigs are doing no good in turn them out or sell them for something dont feed them any longer If dont fat for it want pay I, Got that muslin for Mr Ent and them them their was the honey that he got I supose he nows what it comes to and I paid him twelve dollars for the pigs so he can put it all together and and the balance if there is anything coming to him pay him the money The money that is coming to to Ruth Emery estate you must pay as soon as you can spare the say when I lend my money however I want to pay off those debts as fast as I can that not of Jones Stubins I think he might pay some on it at least

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and I think that Charles Whitaker had ought to that act George wrote that you was going to Edington after money I cant think what it is that you are going to get money their I will write soon again so no more at present but beman your effectonate husband

Thorton Thompson

My respects to all

       My thoughts
     Letter Condition - Again a good pen was used.   However there is some ink blums that could indicate either poor ink or wet paper.   Also at the end in a effort to get in an extra few lines without using a second sheet of paper he crabs the last four lines.

       Historical Notes;

     Socks - The army issue socks were not much more that wool cloth sewn into a tube.   Home made socks was one of the most requested items from home.

     Wagons - At this point in the war every Regiment would have had two or three wagons.   Most Regiments were useing the 'Common' four man tents.   These were heavy and cumbersome and when packed wet were even worse.   This along with the Mess pots and pans and everything else the early war soldiers thought they must have could not even fit into three wagons.

     Musket Stack - This was done to both keep the muskets off the damp ground and to keep them in one place.   The muskets were stacked while the men were in line of battle so that when they were assembled they fell in with their musket in front of them.   This was there was no lost time while the men got into position.   There were four muskets to a stack not counting Sergeants who worked just behind the line as 'file closers' who added their muskets to the stack in front of their position.   See Nov. 12, 1862.

Nov. 15, 1862

Scottsville Nov the 15^th – 62

Dear Companion I take my pen in hand this evening to answer your letter which I received this evening which was writen the 9^th I was glad to here that you was all well I am in good health as I ever enjoyed in my life and I am thankful for it and I am thankful that you all enjoy as good health at home as you do, for if you should get sick any of you I should have to come home I had to take a French Furlow but I don't now how I should get home now for I have but few dollars left and I dont now when I shall get paid I have been expecting to get paid for tha last six weeks but no money yet I expect to get a furlow this winter but I dont want to come until I get paid, for then I can carry

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money home with me and I think it would be safe, I should have writen some days ago but I have been looking for a letter from you every day we have not had any mail for four days and I could not have sent a letter if I had written our Mail will be very irregular as long as we stay here I expect so if you get disapointed in getting letters you will now the cause I expect that we will be here for two months if we don't go to Franklin which is perhaps 20 miles from here if we go there we will move soon I think and then I expect that we will stay there some time Scottsville is the county seat of Allen County and is a very small place not as good as Butlerville We get plenty to eat here apples can be had for 25ct a bushel by going two of three miles from camp chickens for 15cts fresh peaches for $1.50

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per bushel pies for five cts a piece that is what you would call turonver butter for 15ct per pound and eggs 15ct per dozen potatoes is one dollar per bushel and corn is worth 25ct we buy chickens butter eggs apples cornmeal potatoes and cook them and we live firstrate but it is not like having you to cook it for me I have been working at my trade for a few days we arrived at this place on last Wednesday and I have been making a mess chest, and bunks for us to sleep in which I expect to use to night the first time that I have slept on any thing but the ground since I left the boys at Louisville but nevertheless I have slept very well, some time I get my hips on a bump and that is not very comfortable but I turn over and then I turn again and have got used to it and I can sleep eny place but we are fixed

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very comfortable now me and West has five blankets and we have straw and we sleep firstrate there is plenty of chestnut trees here but the crop is not good they say the first spoilt the crop but we get some chestnuts I wish I could send you a you a bushel I supose that you have received two letters from me by this time which I sent from Bowling Green and I supose that Unkle Jesse has been to see you and supose that you have got those rings I will make one for Flora as soon as I can get some cole suitable and I will make Eliza a ring and send them home by mail and the first nice thing that I can get I will send it to Mrs. Bonte with the great pleasure Give my respects to Mr Bont and all the rest of the folks at home I am glad to here that Maria and Bob has settled their affairs I think that I am glad to here that Robert had better of settled it last spring   I am glad to here that Morier has got as much of her money back I will write as soon as I get another letter from you which I expect the next mail

The following was written in the martgin above the header.

So good by far this line I will write as often as I can when we are on a march I can not write for I have no paper my valise is packed in the wagon and I can not get it out write as often as you can

       Historical Notes;

     French Furlough – He spells it Furlow. This was A.W.O.L. And a court marshal offence. The fact that he is concidering this and is looking to his wife to provide an excuse shows that he is depressed. Not uncommon after a few months in service. Remember that at the start of the war everyone thought it would be over in six weeks. He is now disenchanted with the adventure. He is very lucky he didn't act on this impules.

       My Thoughts
     Letter Condition - The ink seems to be of good quality however the nib of his pen sees to be getting worn as there is a heavy line in the downstroke, not all the time.   This could mean the wrote the letter at different times using different pens. 

Nov. 23, 1862

Note;

This letter is badly damaged and missing at least the first page and the lower half of 

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you will give the white handle knife to Geory and the black one to John and I send the shell to you with the Lord's Prayer written on it which was taken from a sesech _ o _ s I have not received an answer from my last letter but am looking for one every day tell Alice and Flora that I will send them a ring apece of my own making in a few days I have allic made now but I will send them both at once and I will send you one also of my own make I would like for you to send me a good pair of woolen gloves with Jackson Hitchison he started home yesterday and will return in the course of ten days I am very ancious to here from James Much I understand that David was killed in the Perryville battle and that Franklin Mont was wounded which I was very sorry to here when I get my pay I think that I will come home and stay a few

At this point the page has been torn off.

Last Pg.

I would like to know if you have heard from Andrew lately give my respects to all I send you forty five dollars ______ Peter Sperlin which you can use if you need it be sure and keep as much money on hand to meet any emergincy that you need

       My Thoughts
     Letter Condition - This letter was written in pencil that was kept sharp.   Letters are well formed however some are badly fadded.   The one page is torn cleanly off.   He has been telling her that he would be sending measures home.   It is possible they were on this sheet and torn off to give to the tailor?

Nov. 24, 1862

Scottville Nov the 24^th 62

(Monday morning) Dear Companion I seat myself this pleasant morning to write you a letter I have been waiting three or four days thinking I would get a letter from you but have got none yet only the one that you sent by Hutchison which I received yesterday and also a pair of socks and a pair of gloves which came very exceptible and if St John comes here I would like for you to send me some yarn and a darn needle and I think that I can do my own darning I supose that we will march from here perhaps this week I do not now certain but I think perhaps we will I have had a very bad cold for four days past but I am better this morning it is about as cold here this morning as it is gereraly the first of Oct at home there has been ice one or two mornings here this is a very poor country as it is but if it was settled with German Dutch I think, that they would make a better country of it, the best land land can be bought for five dollars per akre There was a man told me the other day that lives about a mile from here he has three hundred acres of land and a good farm house on it which he offers at five dollars per acre, I want you to get the material if you can and have it ready to pain Harper house as soon as the wood wood work is done if Willet can not do it I think you can get a man by the name of Groover in Morrostown to do it I supost you will want about six gallons of oil 4 bags of white lead 1 pound of chrome yellow a small amount of lamp black and 1 pound of vamitian red for gollar this is all you want

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I shall close for I expect a letter today and then I will answer so good by for a day or two I remain your effectionat husband

T. Thompson

Catherin Thompson

P. S. I would like for Mr Conklin to brake that colt to ridee and work and I will pay him for it I have asked you once or twice how old Bill looked I supose you forgot it If St John comes send me 20 stamps & envelops

       My Thoughts
     Letter Condition - This letter was written with a good pen and quality ink.   It differs in that he writes using the full sheet from side to side instead of folding the sheet and filling itr one half at a time.   Possibly he had the use of a field desk now?

       Historical Notes;
     Socks - The army issue socks were not much more that wool cloth sewn into a tube.   Home made socks was one of the most requested items from home.   See Nov. 24, 1862, Dec. 29, 1862.

The Socks laid out are from 1860 civilian patterns
The one being worn is a 1790 pattern
Yarn spun by Beth Gough and Knitted by
Diana Gough

Nov. 24, 1862

Scottville Nov 24 Monday morning

Dear Companion this is very pleasant day the sun shines warm and pleasant I wrote you a letter this morning but since I received your letter of the 19^th of Nov which I had been looking for so I thought I would set right down and answer it, as for Mr Henigan and the hay I think that you wrote me that Mr Ronyan said he had gave my credit on the note for eighteen dollars if he has all right he can have the stock for that price if has not and wont give you eighteen he cant have it atall and want William to attend to it and that get the credit on the note and then give him the smallest stack and if the credit is not on the note I want William to take and sell it all to gether if he takes the hay I will see that he pays dear for it tell William to sell the hay soon and sell it to some body that will pay for it I supose that hay is fetching very near as much as it will this winter Tell Wm to get someone to bail it or sell it to some and let them bail it themselves Felter boys is very good boys to sell to and always pay, I am very sory to say that I think that Mr Baterman Harper has treated me badly about that plastering I would like for to have the house finished before he moves in it Rennur had no busnes to promis to come at all if he had not dispapornted in coming on I supose their was other persons that plasters it is getting very late now but tell Renner that I will if he intends

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to plaster it to f_____ it through immedeatly and then tell Johnathon to put the work up and then have some one ready to paint it if I can get a furlow I will come home next month if it had not of been for Harper the house would have been finished before Honaset and when I came away he said he would go a head and hall the sand and get ready and Bateman promised me that he would say that the plastering was done so I can not help it we leave here tomorrow morning for Gallatin which is perhaps 3+ or 5 miles and I will write you as soon as we get their then we will be in Dixieland Give my respects to all sent Flora a ring to her but but, fear it is to large for her the large one Eliza can have but I supose it is to large for her Milton Ent is wel and all the boys that I recruited is able for duty Give my respects to Annt Poly and Mrs Rendy I supose from your letter she is sick in Cin   Give my respects to all we will to Gallatin about Thursday that is Mrs Whiticars old home I beleve if she has any relatives their I will call on them if she will give me their names So no more at present but remain your effectionate husband

     P. S. Pay the tax on the land for Mr Harsh if I don't sent you the money or you dont get it get it of Johny for a short time Good by for a while

Thorton Thompson

       My Thoughts
     Letter Condition - Good, well formed letters from a quality pen and ink.   Written with the paper folded in half.

Nov. 25, 1862

Frankfort the 25^th – 62

Dear Kate I received your letter on yesterday and was glad to hear that you was all tolerable well I was sorry to here that George was not very well I am in hope that there is not anything serious the matter as he is better I wrote you a letter on the 23^rd and sent by Kalen Pratt which he will at Unkle Jessie Jakeman in that letter I requested you to send me a pair of gloves but we are going to march tomorrow morning and I dont now where we are a going and guess that you need not send them unless Kentchison is certain to come to it is thought we will go to Lexington or Bowling Green I will write as soon as we stop Still direct to Louisville and I will get the letters you ask about Michael

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staying with you this winter I would be glad to have him to stay with you and take care the horses and cut your wood and I will pay him for it I think you will need some body and you cant get any body that will suit and better as for that money that Gather owes me you can go yourself or send George and the Soth act is on the book and in a note he has against me You can get William to go some time and settle with him see that Reamer will plaster Whiacher house if he wont do it get Johnathan to get some body els if he can immediately I think that Mr Battman had treated me very mean about that plasterin and if I live to get home I will remember him Write in your next letter about the painting whether William painted the herse and wagon and the blinder and how much his

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bill is I want you to get the triming fixed and cushing made and then keep them in the dry you can keep the wagon in the old shop if you can not do any better I want you to write and let me now whether Connor sold the house and lot or not it may be that you can get the theirs to keep the wagon in Tell Johnathan that can get walnut lumber on the other side of Rochester at Moors Mill and popler to for Bottermans and Botes you send to Cincinate and get a bolt of velvet and if the herse wants new triming get Mr Ent to put it on the coffins that Binder if it was varnished it was worth $300 be sure and make Chad to stay with you this winter and get him to prepare feed to last you this winter get the corn as soon as you can, give my respects to

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Conklin folks and Jenny and all the rest of the folks Melton Ent is well all the rest of the boys that recruited Those pigs you can do as you please I think you had better keep one or two of them and bill later in the season and if there is any worth whole and they are fat you might send them to market Be sure to provid what feed and vegitables you want soon as you can write as soon as you get this and as often as you can yours until

Thorton Thompson

To Kate Thompson

       My Thoughts
     Letter Condition - He took his time with this letter.   The lines are crisp and even.   However there are many ink blums indicating poor ink or damp paper.

Nov. 29, 1862

Galatin Nov 29^th – 62

Saturday morning and a beautiful morning it is

Dear Companion I received your letter yesterday morning which was dated the 23^rd and learned that you was all well except William and you thought that there was anything serious the matter and I hope by this time that he is well and playing about as usual We arrived at Gallatin on Thursday and found a town with about between three and four thousand inhabitants at least there should be but there is no Union here and the sesech have left, it is a very nice country here the best that I have seen since I have been in army I would not wish to see a better country and I would like to live in this place if everything els was wright the people tell me here that there is but very few Union men in this country Bayby Peyton lives near here a very wealthy man and a good Union man, I do not now how soon we shall leave here we may stay here some time they have moved all the sick from Nashville to this place and there is great many sick here the 17 Regt is here I was over to see them yesterday and the boys are all well they expect to leave there in a few days for Nashville but it is hard to tell when or where they will go I have not seen no paymaster yet and dont now when I will I supose he will come some time I received my comision this week and Colonil Kennett arrived here yesterday the letter of our company is B it is not decided yet which will be Capt yet West of Cretrs the officer all get their commision except Pretors and West and they got a note stating their comision sent as soon it was decided who should be Capt

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Saw a man that was aquainted with Mrs Whitaker this evening and he said that some of the children lived 12 miles above here I asked where they lived I will not write any more now but will write again in a few days I supose that you have got my last letter by this time I am very sorry that there is not going to be any school, I saw Terry Crosson and George Hitisman and John Ely this afternoon at the lodge They are all well so good by for this time, yours until death

T. Thompson

to Catherin Thompson

       Historical Notes;

     Commisions – As most company grade officers were elected at the start of a new regiment it is not unusual for the army to wait on granting their commisions until they could show they could do the job. I think it interesting that his was the only commision granted on the spot as the other two had to wait. This tells me that he was not in the running for Captain and the field grade officers had yet to decide between the other two.

       My Thoughts
     Letter Condition - Written with good pen and ink.   Again he uses the full sheet instead of folding it in half.   I looks like his Company now has an officers fly to do their paperwork in.   This could include a folding field desk.