Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/oliver-john-m/
Regiment: 15th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: John B. Hood, John M. Oliver, Joseph E. Johnston, Robert E. Lee, William B. Hazen, William T. Sherman
Hd Qrs 3 Brig 2 Div 15 AC
Goldsboro NC 27 March 1865
My Dear Wife
I have just received your letters of
the 3 November 24 January 20 of February & 2d March
also a note of my dearst Willy 24 January. You
My own were the first and indeed the only one
as yet to tell me anything about confirmations
I suppose one will hear officially in a day or so
Your letter of March 2d came first & was very
welcome fully as much & as the news in the
paper. I expected opposition & would not been
greatly surprised to have been defeated as there
seems to be no way to reach the rascals who
malign me so persistantly. if it is all right so
much the better. I am gaining experience on these
campaigns the Corps has generally moved on two
roads & when it does to Maj Gen Hazen has command
of two divisions which gives me command of the
division I have
[ ? ] satisfaction so far. I think
unless too much out ranked or rather if too many
of the brigadiers
[ ? ] majors are not ordered
to the Corps I will soon have admision. I am heartily
disappointed at not being able to come home from
here but so many Genl officers are prevented
from going home last fall by Hoods movements in
upper Georgia that all wanted to go from here so
Genl Sherman decided that none should go. I am
greatly in need of clothing to wear my blouse
is worn out & my best coat is out under both
arms has four buttons off in front two button
holes gone three places torn, all around the
wrists ragged ditto around
[ ? ] besides 11
small holes I have one pair of drawers whole
ditto two under shirts the rest of my under
garments thrown away. I have only two holes
in my hat. So you see I am in a dilapidated
condition. Don’t send me anything I must buy
the first peace where I can get any thing but I
am not in good condition for another campaign
Every thing is in good condition with us all so
far as health goes. We have had but little fighting
some thing on the 4st but the enemy gave way
with
[ ? ] slight resistance we were opposed to some
of the Eastern Army of the rebs they do not fight as
I thought they would. They are easier whipped than
Johnsons army on the Atalanta campaign. The
Country is poor through which we have passed
& the condition of the people is terrible the reb
army took almost every thing & we were forced
to take the balance. The stories of devastation that
you hear of burning of houses are true
[ ? ] sorry
to say. but I have been
[ ? ] of a military commission in several cases of safe
& have never yet heard the first thing to prove
our boys guilty of such a thing & I really believe
that the only reason people talk of it is because
the crime might be perpetrated to easily I have
strong faith in this army under fire. I know that
three never has been such men so & had fast
so brave. to time. I have marched 30 miles a day
I have waded swamps to get at the enemy
with the watter up to my arms for half a
mile at a time & marched 5 or 6 miles after
& stayed out without food or shelter until 8 or
10 hours after the exposure. I tell you such men
cannot be met with success by any enemy
I believe our army of the Potomac to be inferior
to Lees & yet I believe not with standing its less numbers this
army could compete with that whole army.
I will send you my report & Willey & John
can study some more geography in following
our footsteps. I hope the dear
[ ? ] are well
The postmaster has come for my letter
so good bye my own. Send me some
postage stamp when you write as mine
were
[ ? ] wading swamps long ago
Give love to all. Kiss my darlings I
kiss you all good bye
Your
John.
P.S.
I write a line to you to have
you pay one hundred dollars
to Joseph Ruben or Gattlieb Schmidt
on presentation to you of Gattlieb
Schmidts receipt for that sum
left with me for safe keeping
in July 1863. Schmidt was
a soldier in the 15
th & is now
discharged & in Detroit & needs
his money.
Your John
