Dr. John M. Evans Papers: 1825-1862
Letter from Sister Sarah after mother’s death. Address is Chicago. She is writing asking about her mother’s plates and asking her brother John to wait to come to Chicago until they have set up housekeeping. Samuel was spitting up blood and she feared he had consumption.
April 26, 1825. From Sister Sarah A Goodrich to John: She talks of extending a loan she made to John. The letter was sent March 31st and reached her on April 20th.
February 26, 1834. Lyceum of Benson Vermont. Included music, a debate, a play, an oration and prayer.
1836
It is not fine clothes or sounding title that makes the man of merits. Virtue is sometimes covered with humble garb while vice appears in the splended equipage.
1837 sent to John Evans at Benson, Rutland County, Vermont. Letter was from Samuel Lawrence Cherry (?) Grove, Illinois. Letter was sent via a Mr. Goodrich. Tells how he likes the country very well and does not expect to return to Vermont. They are located 30 miles “from your Uncle Samuel.” Splitting rails was the winter business. Breaking and fencing land was done in the summer. There were plenty of young girls in the country. Cattle prices were high. Oxen sold for $75 - $100 a yoke. Horses about the same. Cattle $25 - $30. “If I was coming through I would not hire out but get some land.”
November 26, 1838
Jason Evans to John Evans at Benton, Vermont.
“Dear Brother, I am living with father. I went home with him to LaPorte. He owns a tavern stand, the LaPorte Hotel and is doing good business. Land Sales commence next Friday then we shall be full all the while. This is a very pleasant place and if you and Srah and Martha were out here we should be happy.” (Jason had gone to live with an uncle as a hired hand but was treated more as a slave. He was glad when his cfather came.) “You must come out here as soon as you can.”
Letter from John & Jason Evans the date is unclear
“We came to Ohio by water and stayed till fall on account of the Indian Wars. Mr. Henry Goodrich and Uncle Samuel (Goodrich) went by water and the rest of us went by land. We was five weeks going from Ohio to Illinois.”
January 22, 1840 to John Evans, LaPorte, Indiana from Grandfather Goodrich in Benson Vermont.
“Your sister Sarah lives with her Aunt Abagail. Martha was anxious to come and live with her father.”
March 24, 1846, La Porte Indiana
Bill for medicines to Dr. John M. Evans for $82.59 from Andrew Roberts
Bill for books, 5 on surgery, midwifery, children, $18.00 purchased in Chicago.
June 3, 1846, purchased in Milwaukee, drug supplies, $4.08 from A. W. Hutch
June 5, 1846, purchased medical drug supplies in Chicago.
August 29, 1846, letter to John Evans from classmate, A. G. Standford, address to Union, Rock County. “You are by accounts doing such a land office business out there….”
January 15, 1847, large medical supply list purchased from Andrew Roberts, LaPorte, Indiana, included teeth forceps, paper pill boxes, elastic catheter, turnkey spring bolt. Ammonia, liquorice, ginger, camphor, bella donna, sulph. Morphine, oil of lemon, iodine, $245.41
Purchased from I. M. Bennett, March 4, 1847, $6.82 worth of calico, buttons, shirting, needles, pins.
June 16, 1847, brother Jason was in the army and wrote to his sister, Mrs. J. Whitton, LaPorte, Indiana. In Santa Fe, New Mexico area fighting the Mexicans, also at Alpafso (El Paso?) said it was the richest valley in Mexico, had good grapes, celebrated for its good wines. Then when to Chihuahua. Was with General Taylor in camp. “I sent my love to you and Sarah.”
July 29, 1847
Bill for medicines purchased in LaPorte, Indiana, $44.51 and July 30th, $10.75 from Andrew Roberts.
August 30, 1847,
$9.93, medical supplies from Andrew Roberts
September 20, 1847
Dr. Evans purchased for Lewis Spencer, from Lawrence Strong in Janesville, sheeting, ticking, batts, $24.16
October 26, 1847
Dr. Evans bought of Lawrence Strong of Janesville, stove, shovel, bread knife, pipe, elbow, zinc for $21.90.
And on
October 27, 1847
Purchased dishes, canisters, silverware, blankets, table clothes, thread, other housekeeping utensils for $40.47.
November 8, 1847
Received 15 bushels, 55 lbs of wheat valued at $11.18 in exchange for lumber and 3 bedsteads, chairs, at Milwaukee.
November 16, 1847,
Bill from Andrew & Roberts, La Porte, Indiana for medical supplies $28.58
November 24, 1847
Bought of Lawrence Strong & Co., spittoon, tin rail, cloth card, axe, etc. $5.32
November 25, 1847
Letter from sister Martha’s husband, James Whitton to “Brother & Sister”
September 14, 1847
Dr. Evans had two students who were going to LaPorte to Rush Medical College for training.
March 16, 1848,
Bought at St. Clair Lumberyard, Milwaukee, 600 ft. com. Siding $6.60; 44 ft. plant 66 cents; flooring 3.98.
October 21, 1848
Dr. Evans became a lifetime member of the Union Bible Society, Thomas Robinson, President, B. C. Church, Secretary.
1849: First letters addressed to Evansville.
January 2, 1849
Union Circuit Missionary Society Members:
Austin Beebe, Erastus Quivey, Ira Walker, John Cook, Ira Jones, Jacob West, John Baker, Hiram Griffith, B. Beebe, Boyd Phelps, Hawson (?) Jones, Alfred Jones, Mrs. John Enos, Aurelia Enos, Dorcas Enos, Mrs. A. Beebe, Sarah Jones, John Enos, John Lawson.
Donated $13.50, Pledged $21.38
March 19, 1849
Dr. Evans purchased Medical Supplies from W. W. Roberts, of La Porte, Indiana, $124.01.
May 7, 1849
Letter from La Porte, Ind. To John and Sarah in Union, Wisconsin
July 19, 1948
Dr. Evans receives a bill from W. W. Roberts for $100.
October 9, 1849,
Dr. Evans received another bill for $100 or $200 as Roberts had not received anything from the first bill.
October 29, 1849
Dr. Evans received bill for $17.69 that was overdue at Holden & Kemp by 18 months (Janesville firm)
Invited to go to California to the gold fields by his friends in La Porte, Indiana
November 29, 1849
Another bill from W. W. Roberts asking for the money, at least $100, as he has received none.
December 5, 1849
A patient writes that he cannot pay a bill due to his poor wheat crop.
John Hineman at Dunkirk (Dane County)
John had written to his cousin in La Porte to try and sell some horses and a buggy. January 4, 1850 letter from the cousin says he has not found a buyer.
La Porte Indiana Medical College to disband at the end of the 1849-50 year and most of the faculty to go to LaFayette. Expected to get government to establish a college there or at Indianapolis.
July 9, 1850
Letter lists “Mr. Spencer, the one nearest the Quivey’s mill. I don’t know his given name and the wagon maker Spencer.”
September 3, 1850
Bill for medical supplies from Holden & Kemp, $31.63, Janesville, Wisconsin
Letter indicates Sarah did not get along with her father. Their sister, Martha died of consumption. William Whitton, son of Martha and James Whitton, is listed in the 1850 census with Dr. Evans. After Martha’s death, the husband sells business and household goods and is unsure what he will do.
October 10, 1850
Letter from Janesville attorneys Bennett & Hudson to sue Dr. Evans on behalf of Mr. Roberts for the money due him.
Letter from friend complaining about the problems of collecting from patients. Depended on the crops for payment.
November 4, 1850
Dr. William Quivey wrote from Chicago that he had secured a room for $4 per month. Had attended school in La Porte until that closed. Did not like the school in Chicago. It seems doctors often went to school in the winter to improve their practice.
November 20, 1850
Dr. William Quivey to Dr. John M. Evans
Like school much better. There was said to be a hospital but no one had seen it yet. Costs about $1.25 to board. Quivey asked for money.
December 16, 1850:
Dr. William Quivey to Dr. John M. Evans.
At Rush Medical College, Chicago, Dr. Evans had sent $5 to him. Had to pay an additional $20 fee to graduate from the college. The hospital had 18 or 20 patients.
December 30, 1850
Dr. William Quivey to Dr. John M. Evans. Quivey still at Rush Medical College, Chicago
End folder 1825-1850
Begin Folder 1851 –1861
February 12, 1851
Bill for medical supplies from Holden & Kemp, Janesville, general agents for Patent Medicines, Wholesale & Retail Druggists.
February 27, 1851
Lawrence Strong sent past due bill for stoves purchased from him and sent to John M. Evans, Evansville.
April 2, 1851
Jacob West, Clerk of District Board, Number 6, Town of Union, John Griffith Treasurer: Contract with Cyrus and Lorenzo Preston to build a school house within the next six months according to play two as laid down in school law, twenty feet wide by forty feet long, a good substantial frame building set on a good stone foundation, settled in the ground six inches and raised two feet above the ground, divided into two rooms, one to be 24 by 20 feet and a hall six feet and the other 14 by 20 feet. The largest room to have six windows, 15 lights each, 10 x 12. The small room to have 4 windows of the same size. Said house to be seated and furnished with desks according to the plan in school law two. All to be of good fine lumber and to be painted outside and in with two coats of paint. To be built at a cost of $600.
Letter from Cousin Kate, says Sarah is in Chicago.
October 13, 1851
Lewis Spencer wrote from Green Bay to ask Dr. Evans to pay something on his note. Said he expected his brother John to be at Union in a few days. “We need money very much.”
October 15, 1851
Letter from Mr. Burke at Cooksville, asking Dr. Evans to pay on his note.
January 31, 1852
Letter from C. G. Strong, a friend indicating Dr. Evans is complaining of hard times. (C. G. Strong had been at Union, now in Elizabeth, Illinois. “What business are you engaged in? I see you are now postmaster in Evansville.”
February 17, 1852
Letter from Higday in Philadelphia asking Dr. Evans to pay a note due for $100, on October 16, 1851.
April 13, 1852,
Letter from Alanson B. Vaughn at Cherry Valley, Illinois.
April 19, 1852
Sarah married (letter from cousin)
July 2, 1852,
“Love, Purity and Fidelity,” banner for Sons of Temperance presented by Henrietta Quivey, Mary Edmunds, Eliza Edmunds, Harriet Dresser, Sarah Jones, Julia Spencer, Martha Baker, Charlotte Taggart, Juliette Leonard, Jane Sale, C. M. Quivey.
In July 1852 (letter from Cousin in La Porte, Indiana) Dr. Evans thought of giving up his practice. Railroad coming into La Porte had produced a boom of sorts.
September 10, 1852
Erastus Quivey and John Evans in a firm known as Quivey and Evans had a claim filed against them in court for $1,000 by Cushman & Co., in Rock County Circuit Court.
October 5, 1852
Union Lodge of Mason’s hall consecrated.
Dr. Evans’ father died in 1851. Dr. Evans’ wife held a deed on his father’s property.
February 18, 1853
Levi Leonard asked R. B. Treat to meet with Dr. Evans to consult about his wife’s illness. Treat sent Dr. S. P. Thornhill instead.
February 26, 1853
Letter from Solomon Finch at Auburn, had left Evansville, indebted to Dr. Evans and Mr. Moore for groceries.
March 23, 1853
Erastus Quivey, John M. Evans, Jacob West, William Quivey and Leander Quivey served with a summons to court of Chancery in Milwaukee for complain issued by William Henry Sheldon for court appearance March 30, 1853.
March 31, 1853
Letter from Sarah McCotter (sister’s married name) living in Chicago.
April 18, 1853
Letter from E. Miller to ask Dr. Evans to come to Magnolia and vaccinate the children against small pox. Small pox prevailing in Janesville.
Castings made for mill which Dr. Quivey signed a note for then did not pay. Dr. Evans got a letter from Janesville, Stuart M. Carrier to see if he could get the money for the casting.
Received a letter from Dr. Leonard in Whitewater asking if Dr. Evans wanted to dispose of his practice.
Dr. Evans acted as a collector for notes.
March 9, 1854
Higday wrote from La Porte, Indiana that he did not want a road put on the east side of his land.
1860-61
Dr. Evans interested in moving to La Porte, Indiana but there was already a well known doctor and son in practice there.
May 7, 1861.
Emma and Lizzie are in La Porte, Indiana. Lizzie is attending school.
May 31, 1861
Cleaned the parlor carpet by sweeping the moths off, washing the floor with scalding water and putting ground cloves, pepper and snuff in the cracks of the floor. They had a cow that gave good milk, was sleek and fat. Strawberries were blossoming. Mice in the pantry.
Copied Folder May 1862-June 15, 1862 - Need to Copy Jan. 1862-May 1862
April 30, 1862 from Jacob West to Dr. J. M. Evans
Dr. Sir accept our hearty thanks and gratitude and we wish through you to tender to the boys of Co. D. and all other, who assisted the same thanks and gratitude and greatful feelings for the marked kindness and respect showed to our Ian and us in this our hour of deep affliction and sorrow. I feel that I can not find language sufficient to express the gratitude due you and those noble hearted soldiers who has so kindly aided in giving an expression of sympathy in this our bereavement and tho it may be out of our power to remunerate for this kindness, yet we believe that Heaven will not let such acts be unrewarded. May the blessings of Heaven rest upon you, may his preserving care be over you and may I be able to again greet you face to face and express in words what I could not do on one small sheet of paper.
Mr. Francisco arrived here with his remains on Saturday night about 9 o’clock
April 30, 1862
Letter from Jacob West to Dr. Evans
Seminary was deeply in debt in the early ‘60s. Kilgore persuaded the trustees to deed the seminary to him if he succeeded in paying off the debt. No one thought he could raise the money. When he did succeed the trustees reluctantly deeded him the building. Some of the trustees, including D. L. Mills and Argalus Ballard filed suit against the trustees and Kilgore for conspiring to let Kilgore have the Seminary. Kilgore agree to sign over the deed to the trustees if they would repay him the money he had put towards the Seminary debt.
1862
Soldiers suffering from swamp fever
May 14, 1862
Lawrence, Kansas
Dr. J. M. Evans
Dear Sir
Yours of the 11th came thence this morning. I am sorry to be compelled to say that my health is in a bad state. I am forced to the conviction that it is my duty to resign & go home. The difficulty is chiefly in the kidneys, constant pain with increasing weakness. I can hardly walk up town without exhaustive difficulty, also in the bowels, soreness, heat, so that I cannot ride my horse at all. Am fully satisfied that if I rally it must be by entire relaxation & careful medical assistance and as I cannot retain a mere nominal relation to the regiment for the sake of the pay honorably, it is better for me & for the regiment to vacate my place & let it be filled by some competent successor. I deeply regret the necessity to leave the men to whom I have formed strong attachments.
My resignation will go to Fort riley with todays mail. I shall wait, here a little & then go to Leavenworth & remain till I get my discharge, when I shall go home. First another ? waste of health & we ? not much the history of another regiment in the army. I enclose you the letter I received from Madison in reply to the one sent to the late Gov. Harvey. The time is come when the officers of the regiment cannot be guiltless and allow matters to go on as they have. The people are already asking why complaints are not presented. Some prominent Rock Co. Citizens are deeply incensed against the officers for their want of back bone. Some censure the medical staff surely for not preparing charges long before this.
There is not a man here who has been sick with this swamp fever who will be fit for active service this summer. Quite a number are being discharged. Dr. Bebee from Fort Scott arrived here last night to assume the medical supervision of the hospital here. Most of our men are improving. Though several are still ? ? 14 have died in Lawrence of our regt. and died at Peopria City. He was left on our march up from F. L.
I sincerely hope that something will be done to save the 13th from being utterly destroyed. If proper statements are made up & signed be more or less of the officers of the regiment, I will take them to Madison to do what I can do to aid you. Remember me kindley to Dr. Benton? Yours respectfully H. C. Tilton
Fort Riley, Kansas, May 15, 1862
My Dear Wife
Yours of May 7th came today and before this you must have several from here I have written amost every day I have the stamps and enclosed ? for paper you sent me. I think I get all of your letters. I sent today by Lieut. W? three hundred and fifty dollars to Lawrence to be sent by express. You will get it next week I think. I am sorry that you think I should be ? my habits that you speak of. So far as drinking is concerned I could not get any thing here if so desired except occasionally lager beer and bad smelling whiskey which I have no relish for or disposition to drink any other hutch I am I believe not guilty of I hope my family will ? be a sufficient reason for me to shun the vices and bad habits that soldiers sometimes construct. But when I think we are in the destruction danger of as we are to far out of the way. The Major has kept ? ? so far he takes the loss of his wife to heart very much we here today of the sinking of the Menmuck? and the destruction of the rebel fleet on the Mississippi and a report that Richmond is ? You say you have written so often that you know nothing to write. You can say something. Anything will interest me. The opinion is going that the 13th will be recalled letters received by members of the Regt say there is a desperate effort making to accomplish it. I hope it may be so. Kiss Johny and Liz for me and write often.
Your affect. Husband. John M. Evans
May 18th 1862
LaPort
My Dear Husband
If it would do to take the children I think I would like to go and stay with Sarah awhile.
[copy is too light to be legible]
May 18th 1862
Fort Riley
My Dear Wife
As I have expected the order came today for our Regt. to march for Levenworth. This under the great Mr. ?? Humbug. The worst things I certain expect will be some ? what ? destination is no one here knows I do hope however we may get out of Kansas and away from such a set of ? politicians speculator. Yours of May 9th was recd last evening my like non I had taken to send you but it looked so bad I would not send it. They cannot take a ? here. I will send it from Levenworth. I wish you were there when we get through and wish you had stayed. I have sent you final paper you ought to have this by this time. You must act your judgment as to sending Johny to school. He is not old enough to go only as a matter of amusement. We shall be eighty on Mondays on the march. I will write on the road if I can but as soon as I get through and also a line to ? if I have time. I shall be ? ? getting read. Send your letters to Levenworth and let me know if you have got the mail. Write often. Kiss the children for me.
Your affectionate husband, John M. Evans.
We start on Tuesday morning. Yours of 11th is handed me after I did this enclosed the week for the swelling on Johny is not very 10 go to the ? I think is about the strength I need if the ? is ? him a small truss and have him wear it. I hope to be with you before long and help to take care of the children. I shall try to send you a line tomorrow.
John M. Evans affectionatly
Fort Riley, Kansas, May 19, 1862
My Dear Wife.
I have just got through with my days work, have been very busy. We shall leave about ninety sick here. Some of them very sick. I have them to remove to the hospital at the Fort before I can go. If we make a few more marches in Kansas we shall not have any men left and I have lost all ? on ? in the Regt. My first and great object is now to get the men home and shall do it by all means in my power. We have no mail today and consequently no news. What our destination is from Levenworth no one knows. Probably to gain some other part of this state a benefit. You asked in one of your letters why Doct. ? was going home because he has no ? he is not recognized by the government. I do not blame him. I would not go ? yet I would like to have him with us. I like him much better than Norton. We buried another of the men today. Making four here. One or two others I think will die. I will write as often as I can. Doct. Norton left this morning with the ? first then ? was detailed as Brigade ? which left them without any and Norton was sent with them to Levenworth. I shall be alone and have the more to do. Write often I shall expect to hear from you when we get through.
Your affectionate husband. John M. Evans.
Evansville, May 20, 1862
Dr. Evans
Dear Sir
I received your letter about two hours ago and now I hasten to answer it.
There was nothing of any consequence transpired here in town since your last letter. Things here are moving along about as usual. Some seem to think that this war will come to a close within the next three months while others shake their heads and say three years. If England and France should recognize the independence of the rebel states (which there is some talk of at the present time, then we can all make up our minds here in the northern states to one of two things eather to expel all traitors from our army and the north stand firm and united until the last drop of blood is spilt. Or else see the glorious old flags of our country the constitution and all worn and trampled in the dust forever. I think it is as you say to some extent nothing more or less than a political swindle dreaming the pockets of honest people and fitting those of roages and knaves so goes the world. I hope for one that this war will soon be over and this country once more enjoy peace and prosperity.
Your horse I have not turned out yet when I got him he was so badly hide bound that I had to doctor him. I have been giving him brandy mashes with saleratus & salt.
I had him shod the other day down to John Winstons. I have drove him a little. I think that he has got the consumption at least his wind is not very good although I don’t know but it is because he has not been used in so long. He seems to be doing well.
I have heard of a place down near Lockport. They say that it is a splendid place for a physician. I am going down to look at the place next week and if I like the place I shall locate there. Chas Smith has got back here and going to stop at Footville. Times are so hard here that I cannot attend a course of lectures next winter and I think under the present existing circomstances I had better try and get into practice as soon as possible. What do you think about it. Please write as soon as you receive this. My best respects to all &c &c.
Yours truly E. H. Winston
Dr. Evans asked Jacob West to collect his debts for him, but due to the poor crops he was only able to collect $10 and had to pay another bill from that leaving only a few dollars. Some debts to Dr. Evans were two and three years past due.
May 20, 1862
Letter from Dr. Winston to Dr. Evans
Some people in Evansville expected the war to be over in 3 months, others said 3 years if England and France recognized the independence of the rebel states. Dr. Charles Smith had located in Footville.
Evansville May 21, 1862
Dr. J. M. Evans
Respected Br. We received your favor last Friday which with the many other favors we have received from your hand we heartily appreciate and feel truly thankful from what Joseph writes me you have received my answer in regard to the safe arrival of the remains of son Stephen, which no doubt gave you pleasure and satisfaction as well as us that it arrived all safe and right and have but to add we hope it may never be our lot again to have to pass through such affliction but be this as it may we will try to be resigned to what ever affliction of the kind the good Lord in the order of his providence may send upon us.
We are all well and the health of the place is good with but few exceptions. Elder Elder Robinson’s girl Ella is very sick with rheumatic fever. Thomas Baker is failing and I think cannot stand it long. You wished me to inform you in regard to your business in reply I would say that I have notified all against whom I hold notes of yours except those that I did not know their address, and all that have paid any attention to it have come up with one accord and made excuses there has but ten dollars paid in since you left and that I received from Eastman. I paid out of that Bassets & Graham’s claim which only leaves a few dollars and owing to the poor crops last year it is going to be very hard to make any collections until after Harvest in fact it is nearly impossible to do so without enforcing the law and even in that case they would take all the time the law would give them. I believe I informed you of the arrangement I made with Bedfords & Winstons claims they were settled by turning out other notes: Dr. Treat informed me of the Order he held against me. I wrote him I would do the best I could or would turn him out any of the notes which I have of yours. If you think it best to press collection I will do so but at present could not advise that course with few exceptions there are probably some of those claims which I think will probably have to be pressed before payment and will be made for instance., such as ? M. Rowley which has already run two or three years and the longer such men are waited upon the harder it is to get them to pay. I will therefore look over and pick out such and urge payment as quick as possible and if you do instruct me I will enforce the law if they do not pay. I promised to give you some more information in regard to the Seminary. As I told you the Seminary property was deeded to Kilgore and after he had paid up all its debtedness our Freewill Baptist folks made an effort to get it before it went into his hands but the trustees felt in duty bound to carry out the contract with him in case he fulfilled on his part. After the deed was made to K Mills, Semans, Argalus Ballard & John Winston commenced suit against K and the trustees for fraudulently conspiring together to let K have the inst. Without any consideration. And that suit is now pending in the Circuit court.
Kilgore is ready and has stood ready to deed the property back to the trustees providing they will refund back all the money he has invested in inst. But in opinion the chief movers except ? Semans does not want it to come back in any other way than in the hands of the Free Wills and they dare not risk it coming into the hands of the Old Trustees for fear there will be an effort made on the part of the Methodist to raise the funds and place it back under their original charter and confidentially between you and me if there was a vote taken by the stockholders of the inst. Today which should have it the Free Wills or K I think K would keep the. Where the thing is coming out I do not know. I doubt whether K will run a school a very great while until he runs the whole thing in the ground and if it should be deeded back we have some hope through the influence of our presiding Elder that we may raise the money and keep the institution. This I think would be satisfactory to the subscribers generally but time and circumstances will have to decide the fate of us and the institution.
We see from last night’s paper that you have marching orders for New Mexico. If this is the case I fear our boys have a hard siege before them and we of course cannot have the privilege of hearing very often from you or at least it must take a great while to get communication back and forth.
Confidential. We have heard a report that Col. Maloney was under arrest for abuse of the sick and that there was a probability of his removal but I have had no intimation of the kind from my boys or any others of the boys who have written to me. What are the facts in the case, as I must get this in office soon I must close. Shall be glad to hear from you after.
Yours truly, Jacob West.
May 21, 1862
Camp No. 2 13th Regt., Wis.
My Dear Wife
The 12 & 13th left Fort Riley yesterday in a drenching rain we marched 14 miles and encamped at a place called Manhaten, on the Big Blue. The men were wet through. I had a rubber suit that kept me dry with one exception it was the most disagreeable march we have had to day we marched some 13 miles and encamp in a place called Louisville, a small town containing as all such towns do a log store, hotel, black smith shop and school house. It has clouded up and been a five day ? marching. Except the wind and that is dryer up front, we left thirty seven sick at Fort Riley and I have four ambulances full trying to get ? and sun off them and my sick and some are making it to get a ride. I suppose we start early in the morning. I’ll write often as I can I enclose our ? ? in ? I expect to get mail tomorrow or the next day. It will be stop at offices on the route. Your affect., husband John M. Evans
Letter from wife at LaPorte: May 22, 1862
My Dear Husband.
Yours of the 13 is just received. Johnny was taken with vomiting and purging last night and a very sore throat. I sent for Dr. ? this morning. He left some one to be taken every four hours. I gave him one and he went to sleep and has been sleeping nearly two hours without vomiting. He told me to put some ??? with mustard around his throat.
Do you know anything about Fort ?? ? seems to think he doesn’t know and he says some old woman ? has done him more good than he does. He is vexed because he gave him morphine and chloroform. I think if he had not had ? one that one that ? what they was about they would not have been living.
Johnny is not weaned yet. I must ?
Camp 3rd, 13th Rgt, Wis. Potowataumi County, Kansas, May 22, 1862
My Dear Wife,
After any amount of ? ? and ? we have made at least eight miles today from seven to three we have two very bad ? to cross ? been loaded and we got mixed up with the ? ? then it has been a hard days work and but little accomplished. We are in the Potowutomy Reservation entering the Valley of the Kansas Reservation south sides and thirty miles square. It is said to be the best part of Kansas and by the far the best that I have seen it will no doubt someday be a great country. The drouth however it is subject to will ? objection this year however I think must be an exception they say it ? receives here for three months after the middle of may This month It has rained every two or three days. The roads are muddy and I think we have got a ? storm to night. We get no news yet as to what is going on or our destination after reaching Leavenworth. I hope to get out of Kansas ? Regt. is at Leavenworth ? got sent up ? St. Louis it is getting dark I will have to close this to ? up ? after. Your affectionate husband. J. M. Evans
Camp four 13th Regt. wis., May 23, 1862
My Dear wife
We today with breaking on wagons tipping over another, and two runaways here made nineteen miles the threatened storm last night passed over and we have now a pleasant day for the march we are yet in the reservation ten miles below that at a place called Indianolis. We came onto this road when we went up from Summer? at that point we take another route from ? There I expect to hear from you tomorrow as our mail will be stopped on its way to Fort Riley. We passed today through the mission of this nation they are Catholics and have quite a village for a new country. New large schools one for boys and one for girls, a large church with a number of log houses and shanties. The Indians are only a part of them adopting the customs and habits of the whites, the balance ? in their original customs we do not see many of them as they mostly live off from the road. Malone is altogether a different man in his treatment of the rgt from what he has been before. He has for the first time made the attempt to talk and be sociable with the privates, manifested a willingness to give some of the others off their routines in the Regt. but I have no confidence in him, as just I suppose have the more of it he makes a fool of himself in the attempt and his Irish blarney is disgusting it is only fear that has compelled to ?? we get no news today but hope tomorrow if we have no bad luck we will be in Leavenworth Monday night. Your affect husband, J. M. Evans.
Champaign City, Ill.
May 23, 1862
Doc Evans
Dear Sir:
I have entered into business in this city and as far as I can judge from my limited acquaintence, this is a good business point. We are in the wholesale grocery business and doing well. The health of my wife and child is better than usual, but my own health is nto good. My mouth and throat have become ulcered and I wish you would give a receipt for that medicine, of which you gave me twenty drops. Also tell me where I can get the compound sirup of ? and greatly oblige. W. M. McCuger.
Letter from Ward Master to Dr. Evans for Owen Cheney, Fort Scott,
May 24, 1862
Dear Sir.
Mr. Owen Cheney has been confined to his bed in the Gen. Hospital four weeks is now not able to set up and very weak and will not get about for at least four weeks he received your letter & requested me to answer it as he is not able to write & in want of want of money.
The men from the 12th Wis are doing well the one with broken leg will soon be out
Please send the money in your hands due me to me at the Gen Hospital fort Scott and much oblige Owen Cheney
By Jas Willoiams, Ward MasterRequested money Dr. Evans held for Cheney. Said the men from the 12th Wis. Were doing well.
May 25th 1862
Camp No. 6, Wis. Vol.
My dear wife,
Today we have marched 22 miles over one of the pleasantest ? ? I have ever seen.. we camp tonight by the side of the eighth Wisconsin Battery Corps ? ? in ? ? in the ? ? and Wisconsin Twelfth we shall all go into Leavenworth tomorrow making only ? ? from Fort Riley. The men have improved every day since we started it would be much better to keep them marching moderately this to be in camp as we have been it shows who the master is and who the men are. We have got the same since as good men in the Reg. as we find any where and some of the meanest with them. We spent today in camp in that this Brigade is to go immediately to ? from Lawrence another report is that we are again to be sent to Fort Scott ? Wood and the Indian Country for the benefit of Bloody Kansas. I cannot form any opinion of my own as to our destination. The Reg would rather go south than any other point, though it will be very much more unhealthy that they do not look at they are anxious to go where they can see and do some fighting. I think how that will all be over if the Regt should go before it gets there. We are seventeen miles to Leavenworth and probably will get in by noon. I hope to get a letter from you and will write again tomorrow if I can.
Your affect. Husband, John M. Evans Have you got the money I sent?
May 26, 1862,
Letter from D. S. Starr at Anamosa, Iowa to Dr. J. M. Evans, Surgeon 13th Reg Wis. Vol.
Dear friend and Bro.
Your kind letter arrived this day. I was glad to hear from you. I have often thought of you in your laborious (and I have no doubt) unpleasant situation. I look back to the many pleasant associations of past days in Evansville and feel that I never ? them until now. But I have no dispositions to repine while the stearn duties of life call to action. I trust the Great Master above will sustain you and your unworthy br in our work here and give us wisdom to trace and work out his designs that at last we may be found worthy. When even you can write me a letter without increasing your toil and when received it will be a great pleasure for me to hear from you. Edwin writes me that Dr. Lord examined him and recommends his discharge but the Post Surgeon did not like to take the responsibility of discharging so many and therefore refused to sign his papers. If when you examine him you have doubts of his health being sufficient to stand the labor and exposure of a soldiers life by all means have him discharged and sent home. I shall put the utmost confidence in your judgement in the matter. Give my respects to Br Walihan and all old friends. My family are all well. Mrs. Starr united with me in expressing thankfulness to you for your care and the interest you take in the welfare of our son please drop me a line informing me of the results in Edwins case.
I remain as ever yours affectionately and fraternally. D. S. Starr.
Camp No. 7 Wisconsin Volunteers
May 26, 1862
Dear Wife,
Today we have marched eight miles and about noon encamped eight miles from Leavenworth, on a high and dry prairie without wood and very little water. We have eight in ? of Eight Reg. avoiding the ? but south ? eighth ninth, tenth Wisconsin twelfth & thirteenth with ? and ? batterys what Mitchel’s object is in encamping where he has I do not know unless it is to say he has been in the field with his brigade ? it is all ? ? for I very much doubt if he even has the privilege of saying. The same again thes ? generals are swelling like ? ? very uncertain we are ? to go South so says rumor and I began to think it is correct a part of the Brigade will.? Tomorrow this I understand is now the order The 13th is to be the last this does not suite a few of the officer and me. So far as I am concerned it is my choice. I know you will not like it, but I have no fear for my own health, it was never better than now and I shall take care of myself and I cannot ? get out of my ? if I find that I cannot stand it I shall come home. My worst fear are for you and the children. I understand that Dr. ? is at Leavenworth with seventy of our men that were left sick at Lawrence. I think he will go with the Regt. As he has always wanted to go South. The Chaplin who will go he has withdrawn his resignation the Regt got then ? today from S? I was ? in not ? ? ? Your affectionate husband, John M. Evans
Leavenworth May 27th 1862 letter from Dr. Evans to his wife:
My Dear Wife
We have today had another order from Brigadeer General Mitchel it came at 10 o’clock to strike tents and move to Leavenworth. I got permission to go to town this morning to see to some hospital goods that we left when starting for Fort Scott last February. I started back about 2 o’clock and met the. 12th & 13th about half way. We are in camp near the Fort and back from it, one half mile, tomorrow I understand we have another general review, which I suppose will have something to do with saving the Union. Rumor is again ? with our destination but no order. Some say that we go to Corinth, others to ? or St. Louis. I cannot form an opinion. I think we are as likely to stay here for the present as any way we here tonight that Banker has been defeated and compelled to cross the R/ at ? ? and that Corinth is in our destination and no more troops ? in that direction. I found Bersten Regt. here and some of my friends in the Reg. insist on my exchanging places with the surgeon by transfer. They have got sick of him and want him to get into some other Regt. I should like this exchange if it would occur. Own Regt. would not connect to it and its and its ? at home? ? be ? to it. I will have to give it some thought if I should go South I shall not stay long but get a transfer or resign if I should stay much longer I shall get a position where I can have you and the children with me. I got no letters from you tonight.
Your affectionate Husband, John M. Evans.
Leavenworth May 28, 1862
My Dear Wife
I received your letter today dated May 13 and delivered to Fort Riley. It seems you have not heard of our change of destination yet, we are ordered South but what Fort in the River I do not know. You must not have any fears for me. I shall take care of myself. I will come home on furlow if I can. Today I had a long talk with Capt. Damon. He says that he is going to have me detailed and attached to his Regt. In fact he has got the matter all arranged and I had to insist on his letting the transfer rest for the present and let me go with our Regt. two or three weeks. He has got the Colonel in favor of the change and all I can do is to protest, if I am ordered I must obey it would suit me the best but I must not leave my own Regt. of my own accord. I think this change will be affected in a short time unless something turn up different. As to my habits I think that ? must have got out of ? for ? as for ? on smoking I have not ? it since I have been in the Reg. and have drunk nothing but beer and not often that. My other habits are in no way changed that I am aware of and I hope I think none the less of my family for long absent from them. You ask if I am afraid of trouble with Bullard. I think he would skin me alive and any else that he could what he will do with me depends upon the encouragement he gets from ? (who is a scondral) and some unprincipaled ? of a ?. I will have to meet it sometime I suffer but would like to keep ? ? in the Regt. The sooner I can get the ? the better. If I should stay any time in this ? I shall go on ? for Zin and the children. I am sorry for William I can’t think that Emily would marry ? but there is no telling what you girls and old ? will do. I sent you today a Janesville paper with some items for the 13th I am writing this on my ? dealing out medicine ? about the damp hurting the sick all at one and the same time if you can make it out you will do well we have no news today. I hope we will get through in two days more if we have more bad luck. I will write tomorrow if I can. Your Affect Husband, John M. Evans.
I am afraid it is getting late in the season to take the children to ? unless it is healthier than it was to be. You must use your judgement if Johnny does not get both call the Doct and don’t let it go to long you ask what I think of going to Chicago with Higday. I think like it if I could get into a practice. I cannot now say anything different about it now. J. M. E.
Leavenworth May 29th 1862
My Dear Wife
I am writing this in the cabin of the Mr. Alexander McDowel. We ?? last evening and these on this morning at ? o’clock ? to be of ? it is now after four o’clock and we have not ? yet there. Other boats that loaded but ? have gone down to Summitt City to ? for us. We are not loaded yet it is doubtful if we get of this ? ? is just in that we go to Washington it seems that Banks has been defeated and compelled to ? the ? at ? Ferry the report is that we are going to Washington to ? it from the rebels. I have not time to write more on I have a ? things to see to I will write again ? direct your letter to St. Louis unless you hear from me again before ? Your Affectionate Husband, J. M. Evans
May 29, 1862 Camp No. 5 W. V.
Dear Wife,
Yours of 14th & 19th came the letter missing. The Colonel gave an order to stop the mail for the 13th and I rec’d it at Indianolia. I expect for the want of room and disagreement of the children you are not very pleasantly situated. I do not blame you for wishing to get away. The only objection I have to your going to Chicago is the health of the children until July perhaps they would be as healthy as in La Porte. You can go for a few weeks if you think best. I don’t know but they would be better home. I wrote you what I thought about it and no doubt you ? ? it before this. It would be ? for you I know but I hope to be with you soon. You must act your own wishes about it if you do we have ? of your sister go with you. You speak of my going South. There is a rumor that the Brigade is to go to Corinth or somewhere in that section. Our order is only for Leavenworth. I have no confidence in its taking us out of Kansas. I wish it would. I am prepared for anything rather than stay longer in this state. Another report is that the 13th is to garrison the post at Fort Leavenworth. The truth I suppose we will know soon for my own part I have no fear of going South, but it will ire up a great many of our men. I would resign now and go home but since a report has gone there and I am …………………letter from home that I must not leave the Regt. Now. I do not think there will be enough men left for a Regt. longer the way they get sick it will not take but a short time to get them exchanged and sent home. This is now the only intent I ……
?, Kansas May 30, 1862
My Dear Wife
I writing this in the cabin of the Alexander McDowel I wrote you yesterday but have had no chance to mail it as the boat has not stoped. The Capt says we will have an opportunity this afternoon. We have seven companies of the 13th Wisconsin and the Second Kansas Battery on board, the other three companys are in another steamer. There are five steamers in all taking Mitchells Brigade. Counting of the rumor 1st gets Wisconsin 12, 13th and 2nd Kansas Battery what the destination of the brigade is I cannot find out we started I think for St. Louis or Corinth. Yesterday we had a report which most of our officers think will ? ? that we are going to Washington this is the nearest to the truth that I can learn in all of your letters since the reg was ordered back again have not heard of the change in our destination. Perhaps you do not know it yet I thank heaven you must ? it before this I think we will know something more about it before we get through we expect to be in St. Louis tomorrow night. You had better direct your letter to St. Louis until you hear from me again. I will write again tomorrow. My health is good. I have today a bad head ach; but will be better tomorrow. Write often. Your affectionate Husband, John M. Evans.
Missouri River May 31, 1862
My Dear Wife
We have stoped but one that was a Secesh town and it was thought not safe to mail letters at that point as we should gain nothing as mail goes to St. Louis as our boat will get there as soon. Consequently we shall mail no letters until we get through we expect to be there about 12 o’clock tonight. I will write every day if I can and send them when we get through We have not had a chance to get any paper or hear any news. Since leaving Leavenworth our officer state that we go to Washington. Yesterday we passed Lexington celebrated as the Battle of Mulegan and Price. We could not see but a part of the ? on battle ground as it was over the bluff. One brick house that was badly damaged was all we could notice. The City is very ? ? ? ? it all ? ? and ? ? ? troop today we passed Jefferson, capitol of the state and ? ? for Union ? ? in her made ? to ? the summit is a beautiful city has a frame capital building and ? ? on a high ? the country along the river begins to look better ?
It is an awful wrong to all ? I understand that ? letters for ? department are to be put to ? and from there will be ? to the different Regts in his command. If ? be ordered to ? ? ? you would not ? to ? to ? I will let you know as soon as we get into St. Louis. You must not think that I am drunk on deck on the contrary the boat shakes so that I cannot seem to make marks I will write to you tomorrow.
Your affectionate husband, John M. Evans.
May 31, 1862, Illinois
My Dear Wife
I have written you a line to but thought I would commence another this evening. We are now lying in the Mississippi. The ? ? one of her ? Some five miles along the mouth of the Missouri but run down with one wheal into the Mississippi and across to the Illinois side. We are tide up for repairs about two miles below the city of ? but so dark we cannot see it. The Capt. Has just reported the damage to wheal and says he is going to run down to St. Louis tonight but is getting up to take in coal. They have got the boat aground and have not yet succeeded in getting it off I hope we will not go before morning as I want to see the scenery by daylight. I hear today that Corinth is evacuated by the rebels with out a battle. This undoubtedly will change the destination of our brigade or Gen. Mitchel’s Brigade. I am sorry for this poor man. He seems as pleased with his decisions as a child with a new toy and if this cursed rebellion should close up without giving him a chance to get into the field with his command I don’t know what he will do. The evacuation of Corinth is no doubt true we have it substantiated here what our ? now will be is impossible to tell I’ve no doubt we’ll know something about it tomorrow when we get to St. Luois. I will then ? these letters and with it ? ? the other I ? ? on the ? ? June 1st. we did not get ours last night. Started this morning at 4 o’clock this morning reached St. Louis at six. We are
St. Louis, June 1, 1862
My Dear Wife
I don’t know but you will get ? of my writing . You get two letters a day. You must get ? I think we
His wife asked him to resign and return to her and the children. Johnny was sick with scarlet fever. He did not want his wife to fear for his safety. His company was unable to move further south because of a broken wheel on a river boat. Was stranded in St. Louis until it could be repaired.
June 1, 1862
Ft. Scott
Friend John Evans:
You wrote to me concerning the extra day money in your hand belonging to me. I was so sick at the time that I received your letter that I thought of nothing.
But if you will please send it to me in a letter send at Fort Scott for I shal remain here sometime yet.
Please do not delay for I want to use.
I have been suffering with typhoid fever for over five weeks am now a little better.
Yours truly, C. H. Cheney.
June 2, 1862
Ninety miles below St. Louis
My Dear Wife
We left St. Louis today at 12 M and have now ninety miles at dusk. They have tide the boat up to let the men go on shore and cook them supper we shall start again in a few moments and run all night our destination now is Columbus but it is expected that it will be changed at Cairo to what point I don’t know it looks to me as though we were not wanted and they do not know what to do with us. It is pretty certain there will be no more great battles as the rebels are I think to badly beaten to make it and they are also rid of their own men. The Army I understand is about to be reorganized which I think will ? the volunteers and enlist in the regular army only we will be in Cairo tomorrow morning and in Columbus before noon if we have no bad luck this letter I shall mail at Cairo director yours to that place until you hear from me again. I have been suffering all day with sick head ache and will have to get some sleep before I get over it. If Johnny has to have Scarlet Fever be careful he does not get cold that is the most to be feared. The danger from that is not just for sometime I hope to hear from you at Cairo as the mail will be there from Levenworth as soon as we get through I will try and write again tomorrow. I hope to hear by that time what we are going to do certainly.
Your affectionate husband, John M. Evans
June 3, 1862
Janesville, Wis.
Dr. Evans
My dear friend. The note was duly received. I hope to be able to reply definitely to you hence the delay. As to the new Regt. our friend Harvey is dead and the new Gov. has new friends. The Reg’t is springing up rapidly and will soon fill up our number to 20 Regts but I cannot count it as Bertine Pinkney has the inside with our new governor. And he will be directed to stand an election for Col. The line officers will be commanded (as usual) to vote for him. I have however arranged with Dr. Woolcot a transfer for you to some other more agreeable field. The Dr is a friend of yours and has promised me (today) that you shall be attended to at an “early day” No news here. No one takes any interest in anything but the news all that kind of news you get at front as we do! We are all well. Mrs M and the children wish to be remembered to you. Give my regards to all my friends in the Regt.
Yours from E. Miller
June 5, 1862
Columbus, Ky.
My Dear Wife
Today I have but a moment to write you I have been all day getting ready to move and not through yet we start tomorrow morning for Union City about thirty miles below this point and in Tennessee my health is good and if I could send for you and the children I would be better satisfied I got no letter from yesterday but look for one tonight the object of this move is I believe to patrol Union City and the R R that ?? ? it is sure to be a Union town but the secesh are some what troublesome. I will write again tomorrow if ?
Your affectionate husband, John M. Evans
June 6, 1862
Ladies of Magnolia were ready to prepare a box of articles for the sick and wounded soldiers of the 13th reg. Asked for Dr. Evans’ advice about where to send it.
Mosco, Hickman Co. Ky. (no date June 1862)
My Dear Wife
I wrote you last Thursday the last time intended to write on Friday again we were then under order to muster, loaded wagons when the order was countermanded ? several days, but we had just got through eat dinner when the order came for us to start immediately for this place that one Battalion of the Seventh Kansas surely was surrounded and expected to be cut to pieces the next packed up as soon as possible and started at 3 o’clock we had another Maloney march that is we were marched until eight o’clock and some ? miles away from our buggies and compelled to pass the night with out tents blankets or anything to eat. The next morning we started again before the sun came up and got tot his point about noon and I for one was ready for something to eat. We got a passable diner for ?, ? this march has not been as hard for the men for the weather was armer and the men did not suffer from cold as much but it is one of the worst marches that Maloney hascommanded he was supposed at least to be in the enemy country yet he marches the command away from the ? and left it unprotected. Fifty men would have taken the whole thing tomorrow morning a list of charges will sent in what the result may be I do not know but the charges will be prepared. Mosco is situated in the Mobile Ohio R. R. twelve miles from Columbus but is hard to go some twenty five miles around from the rebels burning the bridges we traveled through after a? Indian Country with small improvements for ? to ? miles about. ? all the signs of indolence and shiftlessness. This place is a small valley and not with it here all the advantages of the ? ?. It is a giving today no sign of ? in ?. The reports respecting rebels if it true, we have ? after getting here that there are no rebel troops within fifty miles of this point and never have been any here. Since they ? Columbus last march the inhabitants are an ignorant ? clan of the Seceses set of beings that I ever seen. They have been told and honestly believed that the union troops were going to lay the county waste and murder all of the inhabitants. They have no paper no ? and know nothing of what is going on. They did not know that ? was evacuated Fort ? taken in fact nothing that has taken place within the last few months they think that the South will keep out the North without any trouble this is on the road from Columbus to Memphis when the rebels left Columbus they destroyed ? bridges I suppose the object of sending the ? along the road is to ? and guard it. This 13th will go to work on one at this point and the 12th an one a short way? ? Columbus the
Letter from Benjamin
Francisco to Dr. John Evans (punctuation and spelling as written)
“Evansville, June
the 9, 1862. Friend Dr. Evens, I rite
these few lines to let you no that I am in the land of the living my lame back
is about the same it was when I left Dr
Bill has had a trial with his plaster but I can’t see it doze enney good last
Friday and satterday I thought that. I
should come this weak but yesterday and to day I am in a grate dele of
pane. I am not able to do duty I wish that you would rite if I must come
back before I get able to do eney thing or not
Dr Bill has rote but
has had no answer I am home wish to come there if I was able I would like to
see one fight I hope these few lines may fiend you well and most of the rest of
the rest my back aces so that I cant think of enny thing to rite so good helth
and prosperity. B. Francisco
One word to Henry
Peck I receved your letter of the 29 and was glad to heare from you I could
reade all you rote and glade to reacve more be a good boy and take good car of
old Bill rite often B. Francisco”
June 9, 1862
Jacob West says they are having trouble about the Seminary. Kilgore bought it and paid up the indebtedness and the trustees gave him a deed.
Moscow KY June 9th 1862
My Dear Wife
Today I received letters from you dated May 22nd and directed to Fort Riley it must have been before you heard of the change in the destination of the Regt. and must have been delayed on ? as I had one at Columbus dated the 26th; ? ? letters ? that must be on the way as you have written some I ? the last, if they came by Cairo I would get them in three days, if there is no delay it is but 18 hours from Chicago to Cairo and one day from that point to the Regt. from your last date I can but hope that Johney is better if it is Scarlet Fever and he has it light he could not have it in a better time be careful that he does not get cold that is the most to be feared with that disease from your employing Dr. Crandall I suppose he ? is not at home and did not know he was absent. Crandall I don’t know anything about as a physician but I think Higley spoke well of him as a physician the Wisconsin 12th ? 7th and 8th with one battery came in today they go to Union City in the morning and leave the 12th here we stay I don’t know how long. They expect to have the ? ? in Tenn. ? for Columbus to ? ? and on to Memphis in a short time in a few days we will have a duly communication though we see no rebels and meet with no demonstrating though with out doubt most of the inhabitants are in favor of the south. My health is good and think this is a healthy fort the ? on cold much more than in Wisconsin and the days are much warmer we got a large mail today but not before and thing new ? the army south ? ? from them in Wisconsin and the ? are much warmer we got a large mail today but no paper and nothing new ? the ? ? ? ? for the ? ? west of this ? to me I send today the letter from ? on ? ? ? Jacob West as ? Wm. brown writes that ? home and that all is safe he has killed off most of the rats,but the mothes are eating the carpet in the ? I am afraid that moths will not so it ? Mrs. Brown ? take it up and see to it then is nothing new they say times are very dull no money and but little business doing they are having trouble about the Seminary Killgor bought it and paid up the indebtedness and the trustees gave him a deed. ? ? have indebedted ? ? agent ? gave and the trustees for ? the object no doubt was to get the building in to their own hands. I have got my pay and now they can fight it out among themselves. You direct your letter to Cairo and to the 13th Regt. and I will get it sooner. Dr. ? is going home tomorrow to be gone eight or ? days. I shall send this by him to Chicago. I will try and writ tomorrow again.
Your affectionate Husband. John M. Evans
Moscow, Ky, June 10, 1862
The mail has just come in and I get two letters from you, one dated May 24th and directed to Fort Riley and the other May 29th and directed to Leavenworth. It takes a load from my mind that Johney is better. I am sorry to hear Stephen is there termed with apoplexy he is a fit subject for it and if he should have an attack I should have my ? from ? him if you can go and see him without exposure to the children. Perhaps you had better go. I don’t think you ought to ? on account of money and I don’t like to hear you talk so about my ? luck for so far as ? is going to prevent me. I don’t think we will ever see any fighting there is nothing here to fight except ? the Rebels are all left or given up the contest in this part of Kentucky I think you will have to give some ? the blue pills or ? ? might do better ? ? his money has thing to do with it. He was always better when you had the ale to drink you had better get some and try it and consult the doctor respecting him. The money I should feel safe in the office or ? ? Hannah as to the banks if they think it safe deposited in get someone in the city to put it into the safe and keep it for you. I got a St. Louis paper tonight dated June 9th from it I learnt that Memphis is evacuated and the river is open to New Orleans. Boats are now loading at St. Louis to go down it does seem as though this rebellion is about played out. I have nothing new as to the Regt. We shall I think be kept in the line of this road and in a few days will have a train ? from Columbus out. It is about 18 hours from Chicago to Cairo and about ? four from Cairo to us if the road was in order. I wrote you last evening and sent it by Dr. Lord thinking we will have a mail ? ? Columbus I shall try and write you ? night. I wrote to Mr Brown today and asked him to have Mrs. Brown see to the carpet if moths did not I don’t ? but you had requested her to do the same. It is not best to have it spoil for the want of a little care and I expect moths have got all she can attest to of her own. I sent you my photograph which I had taken at Columbus. I do not like it but perhaps you can see some resemblance to the original. I wish I had yours, tell ? I shall try to come and see her soon direct your letter to Cairo and I will get them much sooner. We have cool nights and warm days. My own health is good and but little sickness in the Regt. this seems to be a healthy location so far. Write often. Your affectionate Husband. John M. Evans. The paper you send me I do not get I don’t think it is of any use to send them. J.M.E.
Ad ? 13th Regt. Wis. Vols.
Moscow, Ky. June 10th 1862 to Maj. J. M. Evans, Surgeon 13th Regt. Wis. Vols.
Surgeon
I am directed by the Colonel commanding to call your attention to paragraph 1296 page 289. Revised Regulations for the army. Your obt. Servt. Wm. Ruger, Ad’jt
Evansville, Wis,
June 11, 1862
Friend Evans,
I received yours of the 4th yesterday. We sent this morning for the cactus. I have shelled the corn Sold 27 ½ bus, bal. in boxes will sell or keep as you please. Have sold about 30 bus of the oats. Thought best to wait a little for better prices. Crops look very bad, just begin to work in the corn. The cow is in fine condition and if I owned her, I should keep her. She will always be troubled with gangil. She has but 2 teets worth anything. She will sell for enough to get a good cow. I have tried to save her knowing that you thought a great deal of her. If you wish ? keep her until you come home or sell if it be your pleasure. Very dull times here but the good news now I thi? From the seat of war makes plenty of gossip. I am glad you are not to go to New Mexico but wish you were bound home. Mrs. B wishes me to say that the carpets are in good order except the parlor carpet which is eat some ? the moths we have taken it up and whipped it thougherly. I put on campher and pepper think it will be safe for the future. The mice have carried off some of the campher or something else has don it. Write often do. Yours. ? Brown
Columbus, Kentucky
June 13, 1862
Surgeon Evans, Sir
I am lonesome and sick besides being a
little home sick and in considering the matter over i have maid up my mind
under my present state of health and existing circumstances that i am intitled
to a discharge or want one very much i am not fit for duty nor shall not be as
long as i have to stay and use the water in this contry The doctor will check the dysentery on me
today and tomorrow it will be just as bad as every now what i want is that you
should send me a certificate of disability you knowing the time that I have
been unfit for duty and understand my case beter then anyone els now extreme
hot weather come one for as the hot weather increases i feel more miserable if
I had got my certificate when I left the regiment I could have had my discharge
and been at home by this time doctor I hope you will excuse me for urging you
to forward the business as soon as possible i may be intirly rong in
partitioning to you if i am pleas write to me and give me some instructions
there were several of the 12th that wrote other certificates with
them and they have gone home. Businezz
is becoming very riske here there is from 2 to eight teamers passing here daily
and the men are reparin the rail road as fast as possible we had a report here
this morning that vixburgh was in the hands of the union but not confermed it ?
is ours and are in hopes to hear the same of Richmond by the next southern mail
i have had no news from home since we landed here and I have come to the
conclution that it goes to the regiment and Blake forgets to return it i wish
you would mention it to the Captain our living here is pretty hard no
vegitables of any kind butter nor fruits as i have nothing of importance to
write i will cloes hoping to here from you soon your obedient E. L. Tuthill to
J. M. Evans, surgeon.
LaPort [Indiana] June 14, 1862
My Dear Husband
Yours of the 9th was received
today. I don’t feel much like writing
for I don’t think you get my letters. I
wrote you at least two months ago that Dr. Higday had gone to Corinth the ? sent him to be there at that
great battle that they did not have. ?
Rose has come home. I heard that Higday
intended to stay till the war was over.
Hannah Holland little girl has the scarlet fever. She has been sick a week when she was taken
sick I took the children to Mariahs for fear that Lizze would get it. Our folks laughed at me because she had been
with Johney all the time. I thought that
was long enough to be shut up with any fever.
I suppose she is likely to take it at any time. She has not been well this two weeks, sore
throat and sore mouth.
Johnny is playing ?
but far from well to ? of his
throat. It hurts him to swallow.
? since you are so
far away perhaps you don’t want to be bothered with the children’s complaints.
As per Mr. Brown’s ? I wish they would let the house and carpet
alone. I would sooner let them be eaten
up. I don’t know that it makes much
difference anyway. ????
???? Emma
Moscow June 14, 1862
My
Dear Wife.
I have nothing new to write tonight have
had nothing to day we had one Chicago Tribune in Camp today of the 12th,
but nothing new in it. The boys caught
one or two butternuts rather inclined to Secesh compelled them to take the oath
and ? for the Stars and
Stripes it about the only change in this monotonous camp life we have. I am not in a very good humor tonight. I have been ? and abused by old Maloney with ? out
of all patience with everything and everybody this is the case I believe with
most of the officers in the Regt. We
hope that we shall soon be rid of him. I
have been trying to get George Thompson started home for the past week but it
seems as though he has intentionally prevented me from sending him to Columbus
in every possible way he could. It seems
that he is trying to permit the mail for ? ? ? to show his authority and make all the trouble he can. It is his mean disposition. The mail has ? come. I am
disappointed in not getting a letter from you.
The last one dated May 29th.
I hope to get one tomorrow. Some
of the Regt. got letters from Evansville in four days. I hope you not forget to write often. I can send this in the morning.
From
your affectionate husband. John
M. Evans
Hospital Columbus,
Sunday June 15th 1862
Doctor Evans as I have the opportunity of
sending to you by letter I thought I would improve the opportunity. I wrote you a letter last week stating what I
wanted but for fear you did not receive it made up my mind to write another and
send it by a source that you would be sure to get it. Now if you will take the pains to sened me a
certificate of disability or a voucher of the time that I have been unfit for
duty I was taken sick about the 15th or the 16th
April. They have not means of [k]nowing
how long I have been unfit for duty only my word doctor York the post surgeon
says I had ought to have my discharge but he cannot do it on the time I have
been in hospital I am no beter then when I first came here as the hot weather ?
my health goes more miserable it is evident that this
climate does not agree with me and the longer I stay the worse it will be for
me. There has been quite a number of the
12th that had their certificates of disability with them when they
came into the hospital have gone home now does if you can help forward my
discharge and by your influence you will confer a lasting obligation upon
me. Please take it in hand as soon as
possible I wish you would put Capt. Blake in mind if I have any mail come to
the regt. to forward it as soon as convenant your obedient servant. E. L. Tuthill to Surgeon J. M. Evans.
Fort Scott, June 15,
1862
Dr. Evans.
Dear Sir please send the money in your hands
due me either by letter or express to my address at or to me at Ft. Scott. I have nearly recovered from the effects of
the typhoid fever, please do not delay one day in sending the money and oblige
yours, Orin A. Cheney
Albany, Green co.,
Wis. June 15th 1862
Doct. J. M. Evans
Dear Sir
I rec’d a letter from you some time
since. It was some four weeks getting
here and I suppose before you could receive a letter from me, you would be on
your way to New Mexico, and would not get it.
I was up to Evansville the week before last
and from what I could learn there, the things in your housew ere going to ruin,
rapidly. The mice had taken possession
and were make sad havoc, and the house had not been properly aired and
everything was damp. This I learned from
Mrs. Quivey where she got it I don’t know.
If you should feel to blame anyone don’t you get me into a scrape; I
think if it is so you had ought to know, so I write you and give you my
authority. So you can do in the matter
as you think best. Moses Ingram has gone
to Pike’s Peak again but before he went he conferred
judgment on that note and the next time I go to Monroe I’ll take a transcript
and have it filed in the clerk’s office.
Wm. Wood does not come up to scratch like a
man so I think you had better sue him and I can testify to your services the
date I minuted on my books and send you; it was August 11, 1859. You can send to Medbery or Esq. Brown, if you
a/c and they will see to it, so Hancock has deserted. I think you had better send me the note
against him.
Times are awful hard and poor show for crops
so far. It is very cold for the time of
year. There has been considerable
sickness here this spring; mostly lung affections, you say in your letter the
Col. Is a hard old nut now were I in your place I should find out exactly what
my rights were and stand right up to them.
You see he is an old army officer and if he finds you will not allow him
to encroach upon your rights even if he is your superior officer he will keep
his place I think. Had I been in your
place I would much rather have gone to New Mexico than any where else. I think that it is a going to be a great old country
before a great while and after you was once there you would be all right for it
is very healthy there and if there had been any good opening you would have
been on hand.
My folks are well at present. Give my best wishes to Col. Chapman and all
the rest of the boys. Write upon the
receipt of this and lets know how you get along. Hoping this will find you well. I remain your’s truly, Horace L. Persons
Janesville, June 19,
1862
Dr. J. M. Evans
Dear Sir
I have written you since you wrote me but I
presume you did not get it as you have been on the move so much of the
time. I am pleased to know that the 13th
has come back to civilization again. I
think now you are in a good district.
Matters move along ? as
usual. Very little
sickness. We have considerable
surgery lately including
4 amputations. I have
called upon Mr. West but he has not collected anything yet. Consequently that note remains unpaid. It amounts to something over $80.00 now if
you wished to send any.
? of Daniel’s Cavalry
was shot and killed a few days ago. It
is well enough for the surgeons to be carefully and keep in the lines
&c. recruiting
for the 20th goes slowly at present although I think it will be full in 3
weeks. I have heard nothing from Mrs.
Evans since her return. Where is
she?
How is matters
progressing in the regiment? Are matters
right now? I imagine that the boys will
get along better now they have work to do.
We are getting more anxious about war news
and begin I hope that a few more battles will end the ? are a large
scale. We hope so. Write me on the receipt of this and give me
the news.
Yours most respectfully.
R. B. Treat.
the 2nd Illinois is six miles ? us on the same like, I have had no mail for three or five days. After tomorrow we expect to have male exchange from Columbus they are ? to ? ? ? in the tracks I have not ? from ? since I left St. Louis. ? will have a ? to ? I think this is a healthy location and the weather is not much ? than in Wisconsin. Yet as far any fighting I never expect to see it they manage to keep just ahead of us with that. It is thought the Regt. will stay here about a week . we hear one battalion of the south ? on the Eight Wisconsin ? ? ?, with us, I will try and write day by day and if we get a connection ? ? with Columbus I can get your letter sooner than before ? to Cairo, that is only 24 ? from Chicago. We are about 30t miles ? Cairo.
From your affectionate husband, John M. Evans.
Columbus
July 2nd 1862
My Dear Wife
I did not write yesterday as I was expecting to get here soon enough for paper. I did after waiting all day yet ? about dusk with some twenty ? men. Eight of them sick the bilious not sick but could not walk it was about one o’clock before I got through this morning. I received yours this morning of the 28th you must be careful not to expose Lizzy as it is from that cause and that only the danger arises in most of cases of scarlet fever. It is not usual to get a relapse at this season of the year. I have said nothing to the Colonel about going home the department is getting very ? about giving furlows. It is only sick men that can get away and they have to go on the certificate of the Surgeon. This is in consequence of so many abusing the privilege. Perhaps I may due to get ? k… in order to get home. I have said nothing about it here but shall in a day or two. Maloney is in command at this post. This is just the Lieut. Colonel in command of the Regt. this change is one agreeable one to us and I would like it to continue. It is thought that we are to remain here the balance of the summer under this ? ? of the officer use Sundays for this families to come down and make a visit. I wish you and the children were here but I want to go home first and unless we should stay here for some time it will be making you too much trouble then is. Two reports to night that make some improvement on the community and troops on is that Richmond is taken with fifty thousand prisoner while I hope is true butt doubt it. This often is that Memphis is retaken by the rebels. This may or may not be true but our folks ? a? awhile begin to find out who they have to deal with and by then accordingly. It is getting late and I must stop. I will write again tomorrow this is dated the 2nd but will not go until tomorrow at 10 o’clock. Our Regt. Post Master goes to Cairo in the morning to acertain what the trouble is with the mail. It came in to night with only these letters for the Regt. Something is ? somewhere and we think at Cairo.
Your affectionate husband
John M. Evans
Columbus, July 3, 1862
My Dear wife
I have nothing new to tell you tonight. The reported victory at Richmond turns out to be all a sham in fact from to days reports they have not had a battle yet. Yesterdays papers say nothing about it. I have not yet said anything to the Colonel about a furlow but must do it. I don’t think it will do much good but shall try if I was not afraid of this point on account of the children being sick, I should want you to come down immediately and would not try to get a furlow. On the River it is unhealthy but we use are encamped on the bluff just back of the principle fortification and I think a very healthy point for this country and the children might improve under it for a few weeks but I ought and must go home a few days if possible and shall make the attempt I believe I am about ready to leave the army but am told that I cannot get out of it yet as the government will accept no resignations. I think I shall try it but don’t wish to get myself into trouble if I cannot get away. Yet would you want to go home and wouldn’t be best for you. I have just seen an extra from Cairo stating that McCleland has been fighting four days and compelled to retreat seventeen miles and then with arrival of gun boats compelled the rebels to retreat in turn. It is nothing.
Columbus, Ky., July 6th 1862
My Dear Wife
I did not get a letter from you in last nights mail. I was disappointed I didn’t know whether we have mail tonight or not if not I might wait until tomorrow night. I had one from Chapin he is at home all well and will start back next Monday on Friday Walleham & Lieut. Rockwood wives expect to come back with them. I wish you were coming if I was certain we would stay here any time I should like having you come if you thought you could with the children but as it is you perhaps had better wait until I know certain in what I am going to do. I want to go home yet, if I have to ? away. I think this is a healthy location aside from the heat that is getting to be very offensive and partially we have any of lumber left by the rebels with which we put floores in our tents and built sheds in front with this and a plenty of ice we manage to keep cool. I want to know how you feel about coming down in case we stay here and the impression here is that we shall during the summer. The Captain writes me that he has reassurances from the Governor that our efforts to get rid of Maloney will be successful. We all hope and pray this may be prove true. Even for the few days that Chapman has been in command it has made a great difference. Maloney is now Commander of the Fort and I understand said that the officers must keep themselves pretty straight or they will get into trouble he says he understands what they have been about it seems that he is watching for a chance to retaliate. I hope he may have a good time in ? I think on the whole he will The mail has just come down from Cairo but I get nothing from you. I must writ nanother day.
Your affectionate husband
John M. Evans.
July 11, 1862
E. Brown letter to Dr. J. M. Evans.
The RR agent, Mr. Clinton and E. A.
Foot are here trying to raise $15,000 to grade the road with a promise to help
from the C. & G. Company to build to this place in the fall. The proposition of the Galena Company is take
the old stock when fully paid at 70 cents on the dollar and by 10% more will
make it preferred stock. All new stock is
preferred stock. We tried for 3 days to
raise the money and have not succeeded yet.
The morning we? The property holders be a committee of 5, Foot, West, Seamans, Lemon and myself
(Brown). Your ?
with 4 shares $200 at $50 per share. I am satisfied that this is the last call the
road will be built either on this line or Sugar Valley or 4 miles east. If we fail in raising the money we shall lose
it.
Seamans pays $1,200, Winston &
Bennett, H. G. Spencer, $1,000 each, Johnson $500, etc.
Conditions are $1 down on each
share, 10% a month on each share after the road is commenced so that it will
take a year to pay the amount after it is begun.
The Galena Co. puts on the iron and
all the rolling stock and running the road for one half the gross earnings
guaranteed 6% on stock.
Stage is here must close.
Shall sign for you and make first
payment. If you don’t like it you can
back out. Hope you will accept. E. Brown.
July 11, 1862
Committee asked Dr. Evans to
increase his shares to 6 for $300.
Signed: Clayton Semans, J. West, et al, James lemon,
E. A. Foot, Edwin Brown.
July 13, 1862
Edwin Brown to Dr. J. M. Evans
Kilgore has deeded back the Seminary
to the trustees again. He is running
himself ashore quite fast.
July 18, 1862
George Backenstoe,
of Cooksville to Dr. J. M. Evans.
Backenstoe was going to move to
Evansville and wanted to rent Dr. Evans’ house.
Wanted to pay rent and all taxes.
July 20, 1862
Green Mountain Boy was the name of
Dr. Quivey’s stud horse. Quivey traded
his Monroe property for him and expected to make about $300 in stud fees.
July 23, 1862
E. L. Tuthill at Magnolia to J. M.
Evans
Cinch bug ruined hundreds of acres
of wheat fields. The $15,000 for the RR
to come through Evansville was to be paid mostly in labor.
Cap July 23, 1862 to
Dr. J. M. Evans, Surgeon 13 Reg. Wis. Vol.
Dr. J. M. Evans
Dear Friend and Bro.
I hope you will pardon me for calling your attention gain to my
son. It seems to me there must be
something wrong in retaining him in the service at a long distance from his
Reg. and from his home in ill health and entirely unfit for duty and I am
anxious to know why he cannot be discharged.
I find that Dr. Lord recommended his being discharged and the doctors
who have attended him since state that he will not be fit for duty until a year
if ever. Now Dr.
I will feel ever grateful if you will look into the matter and if possible get
him discharged. I am well satisfied that
he is only an expense to the government without being a benefit. I do not blame you for his being kept where
he is and I feel satisfied that if he had been with the Reg. he would have been
sent home. I hope that you will call the
attention of his Capt. Or any other officer whose duty it may be make the
proper reports and papers to his case.
Please write me on receipt of this address is Anamosa Jones Co. Iowa my family are
well except Mrs. Starr until today. I
have feared she would not recover from a congestive chill with which she was
attacked three days ago she is now some better.
I remain yours.
Affectionably,
& Fraternally.
D. S. Starr
August 3, 1862
Gen Hospital
Lawrence, Kan.
Surgeon
Jno. M. Evans, 13th
Wis. Vols., Columbus Ky
My Dear Sir
Yours of the 27th
ultimo was received last eve and I hasten to reply. I am now waiting transportation to send Starr
and some others of your Regt. to Fort Leavenworth for transportation to join
their commands. Starr has been
complaining of rheumatism but I agree with you.
I have used him as a nurse. Was obliged to keep him.
Have the Rebels captured your Regt. and the 12th we hear
so. Let us know.
I am yours very truly
Geo. E. Burington?
Surgeon in Chg. Hospital
P. S. Did Capt. Randall get a letter from me asking
if he recognized his signature as signed to a paper. I sent him?
B.
August 4, 1862,
Evansville
Dr. J. M. Evans
Respected
Brth. Your kind favor of the 20th ult. was received some days
since and in consequence of a swelling on my hand (which disabled me so I could
not write) I have delayed answering. We
were glad to hear of your welfare and the health of the boys. We also heartily join you in your ? in regard to the course
pursued by our ? men in putting down this cursed
rebellion and the Loyal people of this State are almost a unit in regard to the
course that should be persued which is less fretting the Sesesh by guarding
their property and returning the negroes and not medling with that darling
institution called Slavery. Whoever
heard or read of a war carried on under such a policy. The prospect for this State raising its quota
of the 300,000 men is very gloomy especially under the present policy of the
war. I have no doubt but all the men
necessary to crush this rebellion could be raised in a very short time if the
policy was changed and our men allowed to fight instead of guarding rebel
property but I with thousands of others fell that we have no more sons to
sacrifice in such a course of procedure as heretofore pursued. Oh that men would
learn wisdom and improve from the clear bought experience already had in this
awful war.
In answer to your inquiry in regard to certain reports I would say that
I have heard some such reports that J. L. should have made but I did not hear
him speak disrespectfully of you and he assured no report of that kind coming
from that source would way a feather in this community. I noticed anything when he was here, very
particular that was that he and Col. Was all right and that he was almost next
in rank to the Col. In point of importance.
I think I heard him say more against Capt. Blake than anyone else but
still nothing very bad. He carried the
idea that most of the men did drink whisky but sometimes it was done probably
to take off the curse of bad water &c. &c.
I will close this subject by saying
that I did not hear him say anything against you or the Capt. That was ? ? as disrespectful as reports
that have come pretty strait in regard to his course and conduct since being in
the Regt.
Railroad well as it regards railroad
the cars are not yet running to E. but we had hoped and still hope they will be
by the first of Jan. next. This they
pledged to us providing that 4 towns (viz) Union, Magnolia, Porter &
Brooklyn would take fifteen thousand dollars stock and secure the right of way
from Magnolia to the north line of this town.
The stock has all been taken and they are now securing the right of way
and I think with few exceptions have the most of that. Him Montgomery is about the hardest case that
they meet with he asks about one third the worth of his farm in damages. I think the present prospects that those who
have formerly given deeds and will not now sign off the col. Will
try to hold under the old deed.
And now as regards the facts in regard to the prospects of the road
being built this fall if any reliance can be placed on mens word (such men as ? Clinton Stock agent from Broadhead the road will be
built to this place this fall but still the failure in wheat crops and the
gloomy aspects of the war may retard the matter but they are now working on the
land grant road between Madison & Portage and the Galena Co. is exceedingly
anxious to have a connection with that road as soon as completed.
Seminary well what shall I say in
regard to the Seminary. In a former
letter I stated that K. had paid up all the indebtedness of the S. and taken a
deed of it and that certain parties Mills, ?, Winston & Semans &
Ballard commenced suit against K. & the trustees for fraudulently conveying
the property to him without any consideration.
Well the trial was set for the June term and the week before it
was to be tried K. deeded the property back to the trustees and took a mortgage
on the institution to secure the amount of his claim which was some
$2300.00 The trustees gave him a lease
of the building for the unexpired term of the old lease which was three years
from last June. The debts are now all
off the shoulders of the trustees as individuals and rest on the Institution
where they should. What will be the
final result of the matter we cannot tell. Our Methodist folks are making another effort
to raise the money and save it from being sold but I have my fears that it
cannot be done and as long as K. has the Institution in his hands we are bound
to have trouble for he has so many enemies who will do all they can to keep
students from coming and injure the school in every way they can but I must
stop for I could write 2 or 3 more pages on this subject and then not tell you
half and in the end it will be Seminary—Seminary—troubles.
Domestic – we are tolerably well tho
the 3 girls have been having the whooping cough pretty hard but are getting
better. I have just closed up burning a
brick kiln of near a hundred thousand bricks and tell you we are not sorry for
now while I am writing the rain is falling in torents. We have an abundance of the smaller varietys
of fruit have made near a barrel of current wine which when matured say next
new year shall be happy to trat you to a glass.
The general health of the place is good as I said before wheat crops are
very light in consequence of the bug. Do
not think the average in this co. more than a third of a crop. Corn & oats look well we are just in the
midst of harvest. There are but few
changes since yo0u left in this village.
Mr. Plaisted has bought the house that Dr. quivey
lived in and moved it up near your mother’s east line. Old unkle Sawtell from union has put up a
good dwelling and barn on Church Street just South of Eldridge. Mr. Walters has moved the Semans house that
stood in the crutch of roads about ten rods further up in the Grove. Fish is preparing to put up a large brick
house this fall it will take 60 thousand bricks. Elder Comfort has come out here and married a
widow lady near Madison by the name of Weed.
We met them at our son James in Albany and had quite a good visit they
came to my house the next day and took dinner he has changed very much he looks
old and broken down and by way of filling up would just say that Mart Howard
and his wife have parted which of course is no news to you.
Give our respects to the boys and
take a large portion to yourself. Write
as often as you can.
Farewell Yours
as ever, Jacob West.
P. S. On the Square!
We are informed that through the recommendation of Col. Maloney, J. L. Glading
is apointed a Capt. for a company to be got up for one of the new Reg. for this
state and as there are certain reports that came pretty strate of his conduct
since he left here if true certainly aught to disqualify him for any
importance. We wish to know confidently the facts. I have been told by men who
aught to know that he drinks to excess, gambles and worse than all makes it his
business to go with and hold intercourse with the lowest caracters of females
and to such an extent that he has had the bad disorder and that he was not
entirely well of it when home on furlough.
Now you may feel safe in giving us the facts and whatever you say that
you wish ke-pt secret be assured it shall be done but we feel that it is our
right to know these facts especially when there is a prospect of him being
placed over a company of good honest boys who we do not feel willing to be
sacrificed by any such caracters or rakes and we shall use every influence in the
bounds of reason to prevent such apointments. Mr. Vanderburgh wished me to
inquire after the avails of his son John it seems that he had when he died some
money and was writen to by one of the Stuarts what course to take to procure
them he done as directed but cannot procure them will you please speak to Capt.
Blake and acertain if posible the property course to pursue in order to obtain them
or find out where they were sent. J. W.
September 14, 1862
Fort Henry, Tenn.,
J. M. Evans, M. D.
My Dear Sir,
I have been threatening to write to
you for several days but as we have been upon the march most of the time I have
not had an opportunity to do so. The
last information I had of you was that you were very sick which I regret to
hear. I hope you are better before
this. After you left I was sent with Co. ? & Co. I of the regulars and
a section of Steinbecks battery to Smithland, Ky under
Com. Of Mag. Big. After 2 weeks the
balance of the regt. with the exception of co. D was ordered to Ft.
Donelson. When they arrived at Paducah
they came up to Smithland to leave a section of ? ?
Battery and get me in exchange for Horton, who remained. He had since gone home. After arriving at Ft. Donelson we were
ordered to Clarksville which had surrendered to the rebels a few days
before. Arriving at Rickets Bluff we met
900 rebels. Our force was 13th Wis. Vol.
71 Ohio 180-11 Ill. 2-00 – 8 Iowa 5 and
a part of ? and Steinbecks
batteries. We fought the enemy Sunday
noon one week ago today. Killed 40
wounded 75, took 20 or 30 ? and
some armed, ? into Clarksville, stopped one night and
returned to Ft. Henry. Our loss was 0
wounded 1 by a spent ? amounting
to a light contusion. The rebels carried
off all their wounded and most of their dead.
Tonight we embark for Paris where
there is a rebel force.
Are you intending to return to the
regiment? If not can you give me your
influence to get your position. Horton
will probably claim it where he is I know not but heard that he had gone
home. He was very indignant because you
went home and as soon as I was sent to Smithland although well, made an
application to go home but was refused by Gen. Quimby. Immediately a letter was written to Gov.
Salmon by Horton’s father, saying that you and I were absent that he was sick
together with many of the regiment and asking that help be sent. The letter came to Col. Chapman today and he
asked me to reply which I did by saying that you were at home sick. Dr. Horton on leave, and Lord doing all well
at he knew how, and that Col. Chapman thought help not needed at present. Horton is doing all he can to make capital in
a D….d low style. I do not know what you
think of him, but I have I have my opinion.
Gov. Solomon sent me a commission as Asst. Surg. of the Reg. a few days
since. If you resign give me your place
if you can conscientiously. I have your
horse. He is improving since I commenced
feeding him. Horton took him up to
Smithland and left him on the boat requesting me to see him taken care of your
trappings are safe. The regiment is in
fair condition considering its marching which had beaten anything it had ever
before seen. We have been on the march
night and day. Intensly hot, rations
short & men tired & foot sore.
Hoping you are better I Remain Your’s truly, Simon L. Lord
September 26, 1862
Hickman, Kt.
My Dear Friend
Presuming that you
are with the Reg’t. at Ft. Donalsen, I address
you at that place. How is the health of
yourself and family?
As you have been to Wisconsin, you
must have lots of news from Evansville and vicinity. I wish to learn from you, something about the
good people of said city.
What did Reuben and Nelson Winston
have to say about the war &c? Is
Major Kelly, still enthusiastic and does he continue
to glow with patriotic ardor? Does Henry
Spencer thing the war too expensive? How
does Wm. C. Lovejoy flourish &c?
With your “little friend” things are
running smoothly.
We are pleasantly located and under
the command of Capt. E. W. Blake, whose name is often signed, Capt. E. W.
Blake, Comd’g Post.
The boys are living very well upon
the neighbors sweet potatoes, melons &c. They confiscate a “heap” of such property.
What do you think of the anti
stragetic movements of Gen. Pope, and the success of Gen. McClellan in
Maryland?
Dr. I must tell you about the
boarding place of our mess. We take our
rations to an old lady who cooks them for $1.00 pr month each. This old lady chews snuff, and has four daughters,
one of which uses the same week, and all of them have the fever and ague. The said lady goes around the house chewing
and spitting while the girls take turns at shaking. This morning I asked one of the fair damsels
if they took turns at being sick; to this she made no reply, but looked as
black as a thunder cloud. These people
tell us much about things “plumb down in Missippi war they rais costton.”
Hoping that this war will soon close
and you, I and all of us return to our respective home. I close remaining Yours Respectfully. D. B. Lovejoy.
October 7, 1862
Footville, Wisconsin
Dr. John M. Evans
Dear Dr.
I drop you a line just by way of
letting you know that I have not yet shaken my too nails off. The weather here since you left, until within
a few days, has been a continuation of some we had while you were here – rain,
mud, wind and rain – especially rain. I
got rid of the chills again in a few days after you left and being impatient to
get well and go to the regt. I began to
stir about. A very little exposure and
exercise brought me down again worse than ever.
I shook daily for a week like the d….l, if I may so speak. For two days I have had no chills; the
weather is better and I am getting so wrathy at the idea of a shake that I hope
to frighten them all away. They do not
allow me to have the house yet and I have no strength. I feel better today than I have but I shall
not be able to return to the 13th by the time Dr. Smith’s
certificate expires. By the way, I
understood you that you sent it on to Madison, when as I found in Bemis letter,
after you left. I sent it a few days
after by Lewis Beach, but he went to Janesville and failed to go to M. He kept my certificate until a day or two
ago. Otherwise I should have sent it to
the regt. before this. I have now sent
it to Madison for Maj. Smith’s signature after which I shall forward it to the
“bloody 13th”. I suppose I
shall have to have it removed as it expires next Sunday, the 12th.
I heard from the regiment about a
week after you left here and you had not then reached the regiment. I presume you had something of a time getting
through.
Very few letters come through from
the regiment now. People here don’t know
where the boys are nor what they are about. They can get no reliable word whatever. I have had but one letter from the regt. since
I left it.
As you know mother B. & little
May went to Michigan on a visit. Starting at the time I came here last
Saturday. She returned bringing May a
corpse. She was taken with what they
call diphtheria on Wednesday and grew worse so fast that on Friday Mrs. B.
started home with her, crossing the lake from Grand Haven to Milwaukee in an
awful stormy night. Sea sick herself and
the child dying all night. She died soon
after reaching Milwaukee. Mrs. B. had
quite a serious time of it before she reached home and is pretty well brokend
own by her trouble and loss. I should
not wonder if she were down with some serious disease herself before long. Mrs. B. reached home just at night Saturday
followed by a hearse from Janesville.
The shock was severe upon the family.
Bemis it is said fell as thought struck by lightening. They heard nothing of her sickness and did
not look for his wife at all.
My family are
here and well. Except
the effects of the sudden news on my wife. She went up to the funeral, though she did
not hear of the death till sent for to go to the funeral. Babe is quite well and sitting up. My appetite is middling and I gain a little
in flesh.
Write me whether anything is said in
the regt. of my absence &c &c.
Please write immediately.
My best to all my
friends and the “boys” generally.
Yours, S. S. Wallihan
October 8, 1862
Rev. D. S. Starr became chaplain of
the Iowa 31st Reg., Infantry, wrote to Dr. Evans to have Edwin ? transferred from the 13th
to the Iowa regiment at camp Herron.
October 11, 1862
Mrs. Evans writes that a blacksmith
below Millspaughs has a child sick with diphtheria and must die. Many are sick and Dr. Quivey is riding day
and night. Men hanging the blinds broke
5 panes of glass and there was none in Evansville. Sent to Janesville by Henry
Spencer to get glass for $1.
“Henry Spencer’s house is raised.”
They are painting the blinds in Hiram Spencer’s shop. Winston has bought a great many nice goods
and has a nice price for them.
October 13, 1862
Fort Henry, Tenn.
My Dear Wife,
Dr. ? started about noon.
He took a small boy, eleven or twelve all most white, and a mulatto
woman that has been cooking for the hospital with your consent I will bring one
or two home if I can get the right kind they are intelligent and industrious
and very anxious to go north. Fifty in
the Regt. today are very anxious to go to Wisconsin I am getting tired of
begging and begging for help and would like to try another kind with your
approval. Last night at 12 a dispatch
from Fort Donalson came through stating that the ? threatened an attack and ? the ?
Horse (The Regt. at Fort Hyman ?) to be sent over
immediately and the 13th W. V. and 21st Ohio to be ready
to March at a moment’s notice. I had not
gone to bed when the dispatch came I stayed up until near two o’clock expecting
any moment the regt would get orders.
Then went to bed and slept until morning we had no news from Donaldson
until this evening when the troops sent over came back it was a big ? the
?? of the 83rd Ill in command
at Fort Donaldson in my opinion is an old fool he manages to get up an
excitement of this kind about twice a
week and it ? turns out the ? A man by the name of Wood and another by the
name of Johnson are hunting about the country with a gang of bush wackers,
stealing horses and shooting Union men behind their backs when they get the
chance. This is all the organized force
in this part of the state I believe and they do not amount to much. I received a letter from Wallahan to day and
the news of little May Bemis’ death.
Every letter I get I am afraid it will bring some bad news from some of
you but hope not. I must hope for the
best until I can get away from the army and come home to you. Wallahan had ? a shake for two days when he wrote and thought he was
getting better so that he talked of joining the regt. I am afraid he will have trouble if he comes
back as he is home without the ? of
? I have done all I could to help
him out of it. He for sees a ? also that is the next feature
of the case if he should attempt to show it as a line of ? I hope however he will get out of it without
trouble I learn today that Horton is at Smithland sick with rheumatism so that
he is almost helpless. If this is the
case his usefulness in the army for this winter at least is at an end. If I am going to stay in I wish he was
out. ? ? leaves
me alone again with the Regt. but I can get along with it if I am tas well as
now. I am also under some obligation to Dr.
Lord for the interest he took in getting me home if it had been Horton I would
not have got leave.
October 14th
I have nothing new today last night
was very chiley with heavy fog but today it has cleared up some and
pleasant. We expect a boat up today with
another mail. The boat expected has just
come in this evening. There was but
little mail for the 13th. I
did not get a letter from any one we got St. Louis and Chicago papers
dated 10th and 11th for 10 cents a piece. Nothing new in them. I suppose I cannot send this until tomorrow
or next day and we shall not ………
October 15, 1862
Evans’ pay in army was not great,
but at least he did not have to beg for it.
Evansville, October
19, 1862
Dear Sir
Yours came to hand yesterday & I
hasten to answer it. I am much
disappointed in the prospects of Rufus ? obtaining a
situation with you he is young & inexperienced in the ways of the world
& needs a guide & you of all I am acquainted with in the army are the
one with whom I could instruct him with a feeling of security (morally I mean)
I know he will come in contact with much that is vile and will need such
influence as you would be likely to throw around him I hope that you will if possible give him a
situation in the hospital at any rate will look after him & give him such
advice from time to time as he shall need
I want him to return to me as untarnished by the vices ? to the army as possible.
Feeling assured that you will do all you can for him in the direction we
have talked of while you were her * remain yours truly. E. B. Harvey.
October 20, 1862
Letter from Jacob
West. The job for grading the RR
is finely let from this side the Magnolia Bluff to this place. J Johnson has taken the contract. The bluff is to be let next week unless the
company concludes to hire help and do it themselves. Loaned $300 to A. C. Fish and took a mortgage
for $300 on 80 acres of alnd with a house for 3 years at 10% interest paid
annually.
October 20, 1862
Letter from Emma Evans to Dr. John
M. Evans
Music teacher living across the road
was sick with dysentery. Kilgore is
treating her. He “rode her” out for her
health. The scaffolding on Mr. Spencer’s
new house broke down and the two Preston’s west with it. One had two or 3 ribs broken. The other was not hurt much.
October 21, 1862
Letter from Dr. William.
Quivey
Old Dr. Winston and Egbert are
coming to Evansville to practice. Dr. S.
E. Robinson was willing to go to doctoring when Dr. Quivey was not available.
October 22, 1862
Letter from Dr. Evans at Fort Henry
My Dear Wife
The mail will go down early in the
morning and must be wrote up tonight. I have no news to tell you. I have been hard at work moving and am very
tired. It seems impossible to get any
thing done in the Regt. with out taking hold and doing one half of it
myself. I lost one patient yesterday
with dysentery. Remedies had no effect
on the disease. He was sick one
week. Another of the men is sick with
the same disease and I am afraid it will terminate the same with him. Otherwise nothing serious
in hospital. My own health
continues good. The weather is getting cooler and I hope it
will have a beneficial influence on the men.
This morning I found quite a frost on the ground. The first I have seen. The new Col. So far sustains the first
impression among the men. He visits the
hospital every day and shows that he has an interest in their comfort and
welfare. It is rather amusing to see
some of old Maloney’s friends change their tune. They try to let themselves down as easy as
possible. It is reported here that he is
acting Brigd General in the Army of the Potomac. It may be true but I doubt it. His ? in the Regt before he left always insisted that he had been
promoted to Major. But after he left those same ? addressed official documents to him as Capt. Maloney. I wish him no harm but hope I may never see
him again. I will write again tomorrow
and send as soon as I can. Don’t forget
to write. Your affect.
Husband, J. M. Evans.
Footville, October
22d 1862
Surgeon J. M. Evans,
Dear Sir, with respect to the case
of my brother’s E. F. Owens eyes, and find upon his returning hom, that they
are seriously affected by inflammation and so weak that he can not bear the
light of the sun at all without a shade over them much less the exposure of
wind & dust. Consequent upon camp
duty, marches &c and with his consent & request as well as all others
of his friends, would earnestly and respectfully solicit that you grant him a
certificate with regard to the condition & duration of the difficulty with
his eyes, (which appear to be of a chronic nature) in order that he maybe
discharged from the service by making application to the proper authority at
Madison &c.
Note the Doct. Will
perhaps recollect that his eyes became affected about the 20th of
July.
Most respectfully
yours, Wm. J. Owen. H. C. Millspaugh.
Discharge granted 11-12-62 Company B
October 23, 1862
Fort Henry
My Dear Wife
Yours of 17th is just
received concerning the news of Delfine Bemis’ death. It may be a question if it is Delfine as
genuine cures of that disease are rare.
Many cases being called that when it is something else but Quivey ought
to know. I should think Wallahan would
be satisfied with tampering with human life after awhile. However the cure may be recommended without
his interference no doubt the ? he
took hastened its fatal result. Mr.
Bemis seems to have his share of affliction.
I do not consider the disease contagious but it no doubt
? epidemically at times. I can only hope our children will not get
it. I think Johneys hoursness is more
from the ? condition of the
throat and ? kept up from it. It will trouble him at time more from the ? in damp weather or when he
gets cold. His ? croop last
spring may also have something to do with it.
I am in constant fear of hearing that some of you are sick.
Last night three of the ? ? ? ? stationed at fort Hyman
in the ? ? of the ? went five
miles ? and attempted to rob a citizen after getting
what money they could. One of them
threatened to shoot him and did fire his pistol the man threw it aside. The ball entered the ?
? then shoot them with a shot of ? and
he fell dead in his tracks at the same time another of the men had his ? on the floor hunting for ? and
money in his ?? He shot him with the other ?. He ran out doors and dropped dead. The thir d one thought he had better be
getting out of the way and felt the citizens suffering they would return with
reinforcements and kill him fled. The
affair was reported to Col. Lyn this morning.
He sent a detachment down and they have just come back with the ? the wife of the man who shot
them and two other women to care is now being investigated. The ? ? citizens clothes
an over this uniform one of the had false whiskers and the ? paper
letters and money were found in his pockets from all I can learn he done just
right in killing them and this seems to be the general opinion ? some has said I understand that the 13th was the
? Regt. even some and they have had the credit of stealing a
good many thing that his own Regt. had taken. The 13th is bad enough and I think
the Col. Can look at home after this.
The boat that came
up today. I understand had gone back without the mail so I can’t send
this tonight or in the morning as I expected.
I don’t know why the mail did not go unless there was no one to look
after it. We have a Regt. P. M. but he
does not get around fast enough. Last
night was the coldest we have had. I was
on a new bed and don’t think I slept an ? ? the cold but have different arrangements tonight. I have been looking at you and the childrens’
likenesses. It makes me real lonesome
and homesick. You ask if I will be ? from the ? the
papers to decide that and ? have to go to Washington
first as yet here waiting for Col. L/ to get back to sign them. He left I understand for fifteen days but has been don’t longer already. He is expected any day now. How long it will take after he gets back I
don’t know it does seem to me this ? Rebellion could
and must be put down in a very short time.
We have today St. Louis papers of the 20th. We ? from that has made a ? movement and predicts with a
certainty that the Rebel Army in Virginia must soon be wiped out if some other
some other man was at the head of the Army I would have some hopes but I have
no confidence in McClellan but hope the ? and my be
brought ? out by some on I will write again
tomorrow. How is Wallahan. You only say he was at Mr. Bemis’ has he got
well and is he coming back in don’t you know.
October 24th. A telegram last night promised a boat
today. We have been looking all
day. It doesn’t come yet. It is to return immediately and will take the
mail I hope to get a letter from you again today. Nothing new today. The weather continues fine and to be
remarkable for this country the inhabitants ought to appreciate it for it is
the only fine thing they do have in this desolate region. I shall write until the mail comes before
closing this. It has just came in but I get nothing.
The ? Boat goes back immidiagely and later the
mail and to send this I must close.
Your
affectionate Husband. J. M. Evans.
October 25, 1862
Fort Henry
My Dear Wife
Yesterday when I closed my letter to
you it seemed as though I should go crazy with toothache and it kept it up
until I got so stuffed on morphine and whiskey that I did not know anything and
the secondary effect today has made me almost sick but feel better
tonight. The tooth ahs been easy today
but is very sore and extends to the side of my face and head. I suffer.
I must have it out. It is the
second time it has ever troubled me but I cannot induse sick
? unless I was compelled to. The weather changes here as sudden as in
Wisconsin just Tuesday itw as warm and pleasant today we have a cold east wind,
it commenced snowing about noon and now there is two inches on the ground. It has cleared off but is cold will freeze
hard tonight. I have a floor and a good
stove in my tent so I can keep comfortable.
The ? company that
left Monday from our Regt. came back today.
They went after a party of ? led
by one wagon some fifty mules above this point, as usual they were just in time
to see the Rebels get out of the way.
The last one just over the River as our forces came in sight and so it
goes from McClellan down always a moment too late to ?
the enemy or secure a victory. It looks to me as though some one was intent
in keeping this Rebellion from being put down.
The officers begin to talk about staying here this winter as there is no
enemy in this State of Kentucky to fight and this post must be held. They think the 13th will be part
of the ? that ? it is a mistake I
don’t know but the Reg. might get into a more dismal place but if I have to
stay with them I should be anxious to try the ? of
changing. I am becoming more and more
disgusted and sick of the way things are managed in this ?
than any day.
Last week was sent through something ? of our men left in Kansas six months ago sent to general ?
to bedischarged men that never have and
never cand o a days duty in the army and now sent back to the Regt. at the same
time they have discharged some of the best men we have in the Regt. at home now
perfectly well attending to their legitimate business nad making their ? of getting out of the Army.
This is a specimen of everything else connected with the service. So far as I can judge those men I shall make
an attempt to get discharged and will go with the paper myself as soon as ? or ? gets
back. Every thing here now is waiting
for Col. ? to get back. I understand he is after a Brig. Generalship
very patriotic in him no doubt, as the Country is in want of a few more
officers of that speede. ) when we will know something more
about the winter arrangements for the Regt.
October 26th. Today is ? and warm after the storm of yesterday. The sun comes out bright
and clear the snow beings to disappear and a prospect of a fine
day. I have just got through the sick
call and hospital fro the morning. We
have but one very sick man and he is getting better. Most of those on the sick list, if they were
at home would not be sick at all. They
are trying to stay off to get sent off duty or to get discharged from the
service. I am getting more and more
disgruntled with ? as seen in
the Army. I have just written to Liza
and Johney and will send by same mail that I send this. The boat was promised at noon. It is now six o’clock and it has not
come. Col. ? is expected on her. I
expect a letter from you. It is now
after 12 o’clock. I have been waiting
for the mail. It has come and I am disappointed
in not getting a letter from you. It
must have been mis? For I think there is one on the way. I will have to wait one or two days longer. The last from you was the 17th it
seems a while to write Lieut H? Co F came in the boat. (he
carried letter and mailed at Janesville for me) and by him I recd a letter from
Wallahan. He says he is weak yet harldy
able to come back & thinks he will wait a week yet she speakes of the
deaths of his wife’s sisters but gave no justifications in addition his sister
in Footville has lost her Charles. He
can’t leave her he has his own troubles, the mail goes down in the morning and
I must mail this tonight as I will be busy in the morning. I shall feel very uneasy until I hear from
you. Don’t fail to write every mail. I will write again tomorrow.
Your affectionate
husband, John M. Evans.
My
tooth has been ? today.
Letter from Emma
Evans to her husband, Dr. J. M.
Evans
Kilgore ahs concluded to have a
class of small children.
October 26, 1862
Dr. J. M. Evans to his wife, Emma
Evans
Use Morphine and whiskey to treat
tooth ache on himself.
October 26, 1862
Dr. Evans to his
wife.
Dr. Evans writes his wife that “Dr.
Winston and Egbert have no regard for professional eticet. In their locating
where Dr. Quivey is already practicing.”
October 28, 1862
Fort Henry
My Dear Wife
We have the promise
of a boat again today, has not come yet with mail it may before morning when
Dr. Lord went home I sent a requesition by him to Columbus for med. with the
understanding that he should see to it personaly. He left the order and went
home without paying any attention to it.
Consequently I got but little of what I sent for he no doubt thought
more of going home than he did of the med as soon as he gets back in? comes I shall go down myself and see what I can do. It seems
to be the only way to get anything. I have just been out two miles to see a
little girl eight years old with fever. She is a pretty child and quite sick.
They like all the inhabitants live in the wood,
? in a corn ? and occupying
sheds or shantys that I should not want to use for a stable. This family had
been in better circumstances than most of the inhabitants but the day before
taking of Fort Henry their house was burned with everything they had a ? week in after the father died and left them in distressed
circumstances. The case so far as I have seen with most of the people in this
part of the state there was most of two rebel regt. ? in this county and it has brought sorrow and death to almost
every home, but few that have not lost husband, son or brother. Those
butternuts as they are called came in yesterday to take the oath and enlist in
the Union Army. they even in ? army
and were at Corinth at the last Battle they say they had got sick of the rebel
cause and under now to help put it down. They were almost naked and looked as though
they were almost starving. There are but
few Union men here and it is hard telling who they are but when they enlist in
our army it is pretty good evidence. It is now nine o'clock. no
mail yet. I am tired tonight have been busy most of the day. I expect Dr. Lord
back next week. Horton is at Smithland with one do to attend to
? I suppose a good time when in his estimation is getting his pay and
having nothing to do he is to ? lazy
and indolent to enjoy good health. It has so far been my luck to be left alone
with the Regt. most of the time since I have been with it. I am getting tired
of shouldering the responsibility and doing all the work. I think I will take
Hortons place and get some ? to
influence the ? to send another surgeon to the Regt.
but will try to show him a little more professional courtesy than he did me. In ? I seen today that ? the Col. in command has got to be a Briged General which I
suffice will save the union with out any more trouble. This I suppose is what
detains him he no doubt ? and
more of getting promoted than putting down the Rebellion in attending to his
duty. It is a pity that more of them do not get killed by the rebels. It is
this seeking after office and love of power that is cursing our government and
destroying our army. I am sick and disgusted with it. The last news we have
heard is that the Traitor Ruell is suspected by Rosecrance it looks as though
something is going to be done in this part of the Rebellion while it is a
matter of rejoicing to Union men it is the opposite to the rebels they thought
and felt as though they were alls fot white ? in
command. Oct. 30th. Another
? I was awakened this morning about three o'clock by the roll of the
drum followed by a ? ? I could not sleep and got up. A
dispatch had just come in ordering seven of the eight companies left of the
Regt. to meet the 11th Ill. and other troops at or near Hoftkinmill
between this and Smithland and about sixty miles from this they are to attack
Morgan a rebel with a ? of Secesh that has been
prowling about the country stealing chickens and robbing ? like
all of their ? against the rebels they will manage to
be a very little too late to catch the game.
I should like very much to go but can’t.
I’m ? stay and take
care of the sick. My only object would
be to see the country as I don’t believe the 13th will even seen any
fighting I ? not have any
trouble about me on that account. We
have no mail yet but hope to before night.
Breakfast is ready and I must go to work. Nine o’clock, the boat expected all day has
just come in but no mail another one is expected tonight if we get no mail on
that it will be a serious disappointment but I think we will. Col. ? came tonight it now turns out that he is not Brigader. Col. ? of the Ill. 11th
commands at Paducah got the start of him and he had to come back as he went,
only a Col. I suppose it was a serious
disappointment to him. The expedition orders of this morning so early has not gone yet. It is now ordered to wait until morning. I don’t believe it will go but may tomorrow
is muster again and I shall be very busy. I must put this in the office tonight to be
sure it goes in the first mail. I will
write again tomorrow if possible. I
could not get the priveldge of going with the expedition and may stay with the
Reg.t
Your
affectionate husband. J. M. Evans.
October 29, 1862
Dr. J. M. Evans, Surgeon, 13 Reg.
Wis. Vols.
Sir:
One George A. Burlingame, 13 regiment Wis. Vols. Is an applicant for a pension. He claims
that he was injured by the freezing of his feet last February while in the line
of his duty and on the march from Leavenworth to Fort Scott. The pension office says that Burlingame was
intoxicated when his disability was incurred.
Now if this charge is true of course he is not entitled to any relief of
that kind. I wish you to investigate
this charge and write me the result of your ? in that direction and greatly oblige. Yours Truly J. J. R. Pease
October 31st
1862
Fort Henry
My Dear Wife
The expedition left this morning
they go on a boag some thirty miles below to meet other troop from Paducah
under command of the new Brig. General Beaumont. It is lonesome in camp now only one hundred
one including sick, ? and
all. The 71st Ohio have two
companys in the fort close by and others at ? ? I don’t know how many. The expedition will be any weeks or some
days. Col. Lyon has so
?? is sick with dysentery and could not
go. The boat we expected has just come
in and not a letter in the mail we are all disappointed. I think that the Fort ?
went down with the Regt. took the letters out to get
the mailf or the rest if so we will get it tonight when the boats get
back. The Col. Musterd the Regt. before
he left this morning. He thinks I will
not have to write to send to Washington for my pay. The pay master he thinks can pay me and if
there is any thing wrong it will be taken out of a future judgment. I hope this is the case as I want to get my
pay. I can get along ?
as I can get what I want to use until we use ? I
expect the mail will go down in the morning but will write and see before
closing this I have the Chicago Tribune of the 28th but see nothing
new.
Nov. 1st
The boat went down this morning that
came up yesterday without my knowing it taking the mail and I missed sending
this. I think however it will go
tomorrow. I do not have here as many on
the sick list in the absence of the Regt.but Cockley is
sick and I have it all to do. I expect
Lord in a day or two and Wallehan if he is coming back and then I propose to
take it ? as I told you
yesterday the mail was taken from the boat coming up by the Regt. going down
and the boat they were on has not returned.
I expect I has to Paducha and will probably be
up tomorrow. I no doubt have letters
from you in that mail and have to write until some one else gets ready I
suppose. I shall have a chance of
sending to Janesville soon by one of the men going hom e and shall send a box
of my things so that you will get them it will be mostly shirts and some other
things that I don’t want. I have to much with me I don’t need it and don’t use it. If I had the carpet such I would send my my
trunkit would be less trouble to me and if I was going to start again it would
be all I should take. It seems as though clothing and everything accumulates
and I can’t tell how. I have sent home
two boxes in the last eight months and I seem to have about the same now. We have just witnessed a novel and to me a
new sun in camp a nigger wedding. The
groom was a young and smart looker Negro.
The bride must have been older.
The mothers of ? ? ? and
one of them at least must have had a white father but with them it seems to
make no difference they were married by one of their own ? and
seemed to enjoy it mucha s whote folks they have a dance to finish up
with. I believe I went to ? and left them enjoying their
? This
Nov. 2nd.
This morning before I was up yours
of October 25th was handed me.
The boat came back in the night then took the next down they had as I expected taken the mail
for the Regt.boat and we got our this morning.
Quivey’s letters I sent by
October 31, 1862
Letter to Dr. J. M. Evans from his
wife, Emma
Kilgore is having a good many flare
ups with his students. He was in the
country preaching a funeral sermon for a spiritualist and they think the Devil has
got him.
November 1, 1862
Letter to Dr. J. M. Evans from his
wife Emma
Kilgore was visiting the music
teacher who was sick across the street from Mrs. Evans and giving her an
injection for an illness.
Nov. 7, 1862
Letter to dr. Evans from his wife.
Refers to store owned by Spencer
where she owed $2 for milk; $2 for beef and $4 for shoes.
Nov. 7, 1862
Letter
from Surgeon Gen. Wash. 4th Div. to Dr. Evans.
Sir, you will forward to this office
your opinion in regard to the following point:
1. Whether in your opinion the introduction of
female nurses has been advantageous to the hospital service.
2. Whether their utility could be increased by
having two female nurses to each male nurse.
Nov. 8, 1862
Letter
to Dr. Evans from D. B. Lovejoy, Hickman, Kty.
“the
government will not allow baggage to bother us for the soldiers are to carry
their tents on their backs, there being allowed but 6 wagons to a regiment.
November 18, 1862
Letter from Mrs. Evans to Dr. Evans
I think Mr. Spencer’s new house looks much better than Quivey’s.
Since I have been writing Kilgore drove up to Bennetts and took the music teacher out riding, if I was in his wife’s place, I would think he would look much more respectable tending to his school.
November 18, 1862
Letter from Mr. Persons, Albany, Wisconsin to Dr. Evans
Quivey is doing a big business. He says he will book $5,000 this year.
Letter from Emma Evans to J. M. Evans. November 20, 1862
The seminary school finishes this term this week and they have one week vacation.
Dr. Stephen Eddie Robinson was going West
December 11, 1862
Jacob West to J. M. Evans
Hard business collecting this fall as I have ever saw in the state and I received in answer the same “my wheat has failed.” Some of your claims are forever lost. Sid Partridge has left for Minnesota and they say has left from $800 to $1,000 debts unpaid.
December 1862
Emma Evans to J. M. Evans
Milliner from Union used to make dresses & repair hats, “better than our milliner.”
Post office was moved. Fairbanks received the appointment as post master. Brown wanted to keep the appointment.
Henry Spencers are going to move into their new house and Simmons moves in the hotel next week and Joe Smith.
December 15, 1862
Emma Evans to J. M. Evans
I heard last night that Simmons and Joe Smith had rented the Spencer Hotel.
December 15, 1862, Mrs. G/ Bemis, Brick School House at Center, for Soldiers Aid Society
4# corn starch .50
5 yeast powders $1.00
10# raspberries $3.30
10# cherries $3.00
8 ¾ beef .78
8# corn starch $1.00
4# farina .60
3# castile soap .75
1# mustard .30
10# peaches $2.00
DONATIONS
12# currents
13# dried apples
3# dried beef
11 ¾# butter
1 bundle fire wood
1 bundle mustard & peppers
1 peck onions
3 jars jell
December 1862
Jacob West writes that the Railroad is being worked on at Magnolia Bluff and they expect to have the cars in Evansville in the summer of 1863
December 26, 1862
Major Wm. C. Kelly to Dr. Evans.
Trustees to make a though examination of the Seminary and wanted to have a full board. Wanted Evans to be there and remain on the board. If not wanted his vacancy to be filled. Asked him to send resignation.
January 5, 1863
Emma Evans to Dr. J. M. Evans
Evans children received dominoes and candy, picture books for Christmas.
January 11, 1863
Letter from Emma Evans to her husband Dr. J. M. Evans
“Francisco is keeping a saloon here, he bought Joe Smith.
Mrs. Kilgore has a
young son. Quivey delivered the baby.
January 24, 1863
Letter of Emma Evans to her husband
Dr. J. M. Evans
The people are trying to get Kilgore
out of the School.
January 29, 1863
Letter
of Emma Evans to Dr. J. M. Evans.
“Francisco
sent me a quart of beer”
May 11, 1863: Jacob West to J. M. Evans.
Daniel Johnson is putting up a good building south of Church
Street. Byron Campbell moved to
Iowa. David Dawson is planning to move
to Iowa in the fall.
In the early summer of 1863, Mrs. Evans went to visit Dr. Evans at Fort Henry. She returned to Evansville with several former slaves. She used them as servants in her own home and they also hired out for a dollar a day. She received many inquiries from local farmers about getting more former slaves from the army camps. Dr. Evans wrote that he could get more if someone would come to get them and pay for their transportation.
June 25, 1863
Emma Evans to Dr. J. M. Evans
I had to pay full fare for the negros from Chicago home.
Arin is with Mrs. Brown the others are here yet. Henry says he is not well. There has been forty
after them. They don’t want to go in the
country. They seem to think they have a
perfect right here.
July 15, 1863
J. M. Evans to wife Emma
Dr. Smith is going to Nashville to
get mustard into the service. Dr.
C. M. Smith enlisted in the summer of 1863.
He served in the same camp as Dr. Evans.
August 18, 1863
Emma Evans to her husband, J. M.
Evans
The spiritualists are going to have
a convention or revival or camp meeting in Henry Spencer’s Grove back of his
house this week.
August 21, 1863
Emma Evans to Dr.
J. M. Evans.
The Presbyterians have been
finishing their church.
September 13, 1863.
The Presbyterians completed building a church and dedicated it on this day.
September 20, 1863
Emma Evans to Dr. J. M. Evans.
Dr. Murphy, the one that Quivey said was smart has bought that house that Mills built opposite Winston.
There is a new merchant here….he is going to have his goods in the brick store.
In 1863 there were several businesses changing hands.
October 9, 1863
Emma Evans to John M. Evans:
Spencer has sold his hotel to Blake and Wadsworth. Reuben Winston has bought Rhinehart’s old store and sold dry goods there. Three stores in Evansville only think of that.
October 15, 1863
Emma Evans to John M. Evans
There is a man from Madison going to put up a large livery barn. We have two trains of cars a day. They leave twice a day and come twice a day. There is a good many strangers here. There is some one hunting houses to rent or places to board every day. There is not half houses enough to rent.
A new merchant by the name of French had his goods in the brick store. A large wagon shop was to be built near the railroad as well as several other shops of different kinds.
In the fall of 1863 there was an outbreak of diphtheria, took many young children
November 9, 1863
10 day military pass issued to Emma Evans and two children to go through our lines to Nashville, Tenn.
November 12, 1863
Blakeley has bought Doolittles shop and has moved it on his lot near his house and is going to live in it this winter.
November 15, 1863,
Emma Evans to Dr. J. M. Evans
James Watts, the Presbyterian minister was drafted and a collection was started to pay the $300 so he could stay home. “I shall not give anything for he is as able to go as you are.”
November 22, 1863
Evander Blakely to J. M. Evans.
Kilgore had gone in the service and tried to get Millspaugh and Hutchinson to go. Said they could earn $75 to $100 in their trade. Evander Blakely wanted to go if he didn’t have to enlist.
December 13, 1863
Mrs. A. E. Lane to Dr. J. M. Evans.
Mrs. A. E. Lane wrote from union asking about her husband who had apparently deserted. “I am in a very destitute situation…”
December 27, 1863
Jacob West to Dr. J. M. Evans
Our school is now going off fine under the direction of Prof. Colburn (Colman) It is altogether a different state of things here to what it was under D. Y. and I do hope that D. Y. will financeer better than he did either for the seminary or the public here but after all I fear my hope is not well founded. William Dawson starts one week from this morning as one of D. Y.’s clerks but I …….
December 28, 1863
E. Brown to Dr. J. M. Evans,
Results of the draft – 2 went – 4 or 5 paid and the rest got clean. Town voted to pay volunteers $200 each – fear of draft frightened the town so – 17 already enlisted –received $300 from the government and $200 from town. Names of the enlisted: Ham Robinson, Ed sergeant, 2 Cooks.
February 7, 1864
Evander Blakeley to J. M. Evans
Mr. Millspaugh has retired from business. E. & W. Stearns have bought him out. I am to work for them. Getting better wages than I was.
November 7, 1864
Dr. Evans was made Medical Director of the Northern Alabama District
March 4, 1865
Discharge papers issued from U. S. Army at Nashville. Served in the 13th Reg. Of Wisconsin Infantry from Oct. 16, 1861 -
1866 – From the School Girl’s Casket
Vol. 2, No. 7, Edited by Hattie Spencer and Lizzie Evans – a drawing of the Seminary.
Evansville, January 7, 1874
The new school building I suppose you know is now completed. It is built of white brick is three storys high with an observatory and belfry. They have a large bell which cost $150. The school is graded into three departments.
Written by Ella Shively in Dr. Evans’ papers at the Wisconsin State Historical Society library