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Bradford County PA
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Chemung County NY
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Tioga County PA
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Tri-Counties Genealogy &
History by Joyce M. Tice
Diaries & Letters of the
Tri-Counties
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Letters of the Frost, Walker
and Allied Families
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Julia FROST "Walker" was the recipient of most of these letters |
| Letters: Frost, Walker Family |
| Township: |
| Year: 1856 to 1949 |
Transcribed & Submitted by Wendell Evans
Formatted & Published by Joyce M. Tice |
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Return To Table of Contents
of This Collection of Letters
0471 - August Wednsday 11th, afternoon
Dear friend as I am alone this afternoon I feel as if I must write
a few lines to you, and allthough my mind seems to be so prest, and as
it were more then full I feel at a lose what to write it seems to me as
if you must have seen me so faulty that you feel as if it would releive
your mind could you reprove me without wounding my feelings. But I hope
to see you after this and I hope you will be enabled by whose strength
is made perfect in our weakness to speak freely for faithful and the wounds
of a friend and I want that you should have nothing to make you feel unhappy
on my account I feel as if that I could not spare you but then I think
it may be that we shall meet the afternoon at the throne of grace where
our prayers will be united and our communion sectioned whilst we may realize
the only prudence of our Dear _evoun we can threw him mingle our
joys and sorrows together and hope for and quietly wate for that happy
hour to arive when we shall be called to our eternal home. I hope that
your visit will be most happy and prophetable to yourself and to all your
friends I think how much more deserving they are of your good companey
then I am but it seems sometimes as if I could hardly bare the thoughts
of your going away I think you feel to say with one of old if thy presence
go not with me carry me not hence I hope in due time a mercyful providence
will return you in safety and that you may be like a shock of corn fully
ripe and fit for our heavenly Masters use. I have just been reading the
last chapter of zeptariah I want that you should read it for it seemed
new to me I must close these broken lines with hopes that I shall see you
tomorrow forgive all that you may see amis and still remember me so now
my dear friend I must bid you farwell whilst merra reflections my bosom
doth swell my burthens you still will have for to bane and you Mantle of
love I even shall were
Lois Mafill to Mis J Frost
[]
Transcribe on November 21, 2003, by Wendell R. Evans
0474 - Covington Oct. 27th 1858
My Dear Friend
On my way to meeting yesterday I received your letter. Was very
glad to hear from you and as you are so punctual to answer my letter. I
will try to write a little this morning to my best of all earthly friends.
But it is with far diferent feelings from what I had when last I wrote
to you. O Julia could I tell you the feelings of my heart I know you would
rejoice with me. Suffice it to say your unworthy friend has found the calm
in gilead and now with numbers of others is trying to sing praises to the
great author of his being thank God for what he has done for my soul. We
are having one of the best meetings ever was (the best to me) the looks
if not the actions of the vast crowd that assembles every evening tells
that there is feeling in hearts that never fels before. Now let me tell
you the names of some that have told to the world their determinations
to live a different life. My brothers and sisters, John & Mina Hoagland,
Lorenzo Barber, Tilly Mara, Kinkade Miller, Ellen and Bell Dyer, Julia
Smith (Butlers Smith Julia) and numbers of others. O my friend how I wish
you were here to enjoy the meeting with us. You say in your letter you
hope I may enjoy myself better than Jule has. When I look back and think
of the many ways in which I have helped to win you from the God you loved
O Julia it causes my heart to ache and now my dear friend I can take you
by the hand and say forgive. Go on in the good way and may the God of Heaven
protect and bless you. when you pray remember your friends in Covington
and believe you are rembered by them. I must now stop writing and go to
work. So good bye for the present. Delos
Again with your permission I will write a few more lines but
you must excuse poor writing for I have been drawing stones this forenoon
and I suppose that accounts for my hand shaking so I would like to tell
you some news if I could think of any we had a very good time at the inspection
about 15 teachers he only kept us until about 4 o’clock I thought he was
easier with us than he promised to be last spring. The teachers Institute
is to be held at Mansfield the last of next month. Ms Doane is to teach
the school in our neighborhood the coming winter.
Now I think I can tell you something that will interest you that is
if you have not heard it already. Now listen David and Melissa are moving
to day I suppose they have had a quite a time at home. Dave had taken the
farm for three years had the writings drawn and had just commenced keeping
house by themselves when their Mother became dissatisfied with some of
their dealings and I rather guess some hard words were exchanged the result
was that Dave moved his things down to his brother Jay and now they are
moving to Rutland are going to live with Ms Allen don’t you think their
honey dish has turned over rather soon. I must now draw my scriblings to
a close for it is now mast meeting time they have meeting in the afternoon
commencing at 2 o’clock and in the evening I have been every evening. But
one since two weeks ago last Friday and a good many afternoons, please
accept this short letter and expect a longer one when I have more time.
I shall look for an answer in about six days. Remember that will you
Good Bye
Ever your own Delos
My Julia
[]
Transcribe on November 19, 2003, by Wendell R. Evans
0475 - Sunday, Oct. 17th 1858
My Dear Julia
Your letter was received on Thursday last and a welcome one it
was as this is the first leisure time I have had since that time I suppose
I am excusable for not writing before. I have first returned from meeting
the rest of our folks staid to the funeral of Mr Lee’s youngest child.
They have been having a protracted meeting at the vilage it commenced a
week ago last Friday evening I have been every night but one. Think they
have the smartest preacher I ever heard, his name is Hammon from near Binghampton.
Members have told to the world their determinations to lead a better life,
among that number is Isabell Kiff, Mary Mason and Martha Hagenbaugh, George
Kelts, Alonzo Johnson, and Julia your unworthy friend Delos is almost persuaded
to be a Christian but as yet has not had courage to make that start. I
wish you were here to go to meeting with us to night David and Melissa
are going at least they told me they would and I guess they will for they
have been two evenings. What shall I write next that will that will be
worth reading I cant write much news for we don’t have much next Thursday
is the day for inspection again and don’t you be goetch me the happiness
of that day. (tell will you) They are going to have Mr Doane for school
teacher the coming winter in our night. I think some of taking the school
on the hill again don’t know as I can find a better one. Now I will try
and answer some of your questions but I must first read your letter over
as to see which comes first will the first one I don’t think the house
was full at the shilling party. Well yes I should think it was unless it
was a larger one, I have not talked with Ansel yet have been waiting for
Mina to talk with him first. You need not flatter yourself that our place
is going to be entirely desolated because Polly and Sally left it already
the tide of emigration has turned and we have new neighbors In the Norgan
house. Their name is Dan their numbers I cant tell you for I havent counted
them yet. Your advice about visiting Sunday I take and own to be right.
I submited to suffer the penalty of your law and asked Melis to tell me
again what she wanted me to tell you. It was this, that if you didn’t answer
her letter she shouldn’t thank you for any of your calls. There now aint
you sorry you made me ask her again yes I am real sorry Sally is sick.
But I hope she is well long before this time I believe it is a general
time of health here at least I don’t know of any ones being sick. As you
told me the text you heard preached from last Sunday let me tell you the
text of to day please read it and see which you like best it was in Ezekiel
1st chapter from the 15th to the 19th verses. Don’t think my Julia I have
painted as mere fancy sketch for the future my picture was not painted
in fancy’s galery alone if the background of my picture which is love be
true and lasting (and I trust it is) it certainly will secure happiness
which may in reality exist such happiness I trust is in store for you and
I, you want to know if I ever feel about myself as you do certainly I do
I sometimes feel as though I was unworthy of even the friendship
of every one. But I think you are apt to look at the dark side rather more
than I am turn your picture over look at the right and bright side surely
there is beauty I think we were all made for to enjoy the beauties of this
world, and to prepare for another and better one than this would that I
could summon courage to commence the preparation it is now most time for
meeting Dave and Milis are coming so I must hury and finish my simple scriblings
and although they are simple I hope you will think them worthy of an answer
don’t wait for two but please answer this one for you know I don’t want
to wait as long as I did before (three whole weeks) before I hear from
you again it is almost dark so you must excuse this miserable writing and
accept this from your ever true friend Delos.
To Julia
Please don’t let any body see this awful looking letter.
A few more words this morning just to fill my sheet the meeting house
was crowded in every corner last night and there is meeting again this
evening I have heard thirteen sermons since one week ago that friday don’t
you think that is doing pretty well But this vacant space is about filled
so I shall have to stop writing.
Do you think you can read this as it was written I don’t believe you
can tell which comes first.
You say if I let any one see your letter you’ll never stop writing.
So I guess I’ll show it if the letters you write are to be directed to
me, what say you to that.
Now don’t you think that I have got this sheet most as full as yours
was I should hate to count the words to see.
I must stop now so good bye to Julia.
I forgot to tell you that Joseph wanted the school this winter but there
wasn’t any body that seemed to want him don’t you think it is too bad for
any one to want to be a school warm and cant.
Breakfast is ready and I must go to good bye again, Delos
[]
Transcribe on November 30, 2003, by Wendell R. Evans
0476 - Covington Sept the 12th
Dear friend
It being Sunday and almost 4 o’clock I don’t think I can spend
a few minutes at any better advantage than in writing to an absent friend.
But really I don’t know what to write. Only to tell you that I am not writing
with a table leg but my writing desk is a bed post I was over to your house
a few minutes this morning before Sunday school Mary said the time since
you went away seemed longer than all the rest of the summers and she didn’t
think her Pa & Ma would ever come home. We had Sunday school to day
as usual with the exception of Joseph I must now put away my writing for
my cousin Will is out in the other room and I must go and talk with him
a little while before he goes to see his d – r fancy so good bye for this
time. Will has gone and I will scribble a little more. David and Melissa
are down to Jay’s the first time they have been there in two weeks. Don’t
you think they are real steady. But they are going to Tioga next Tuesday
to a Circus. I must now tell you about our singing school we had a first
rate good one, and a plenty of talles Pliny Whittaker brought 8 candles
wick and all. Now don’t you think the old school house was well illuminated
they are having a Geography school down the creek. I was down one night
and all the school I found was a few boys and a pack of cards but I believe
they have had some schools since that of a different kind.
Thursday 4 o’clock P.M.
With your permission I will try and finish my scribling the reason
I had not finished them before was simply because I didn’t know what to
do with them if they were finished. We have had quite a rain to day. And
if you want to know how I have passed the time I’ll tell you. Taking it
for granted that you do I’ll proceed. The earlier part if the day, (at
least until breakfast time) was lost to me. After breakfast I commenced
reading a novel and kept reading it until dinner time. Had the same occupation
until 2 o’cloc. Then went over and swept the school house I saw your mother
in Nancy’s garden she told me where to direct letters for you. And now
I will let you imagine what my ocupation for the rest of the day is to
be, suffice it to say my thoughts are roaming with my pen in search of
my best and trusted friend
This writing on paper without lines I don’t fancy but if I don’t write
it straight you may straighten it when you read it will you (say) now I
must go to supper and maybe I can do better after that. It looks rather
gloomy to see it rain all day after so much pleasant weather (you see by
my mistakes that I am rather absent minded) your ma told me you were going
to attend a teachers institute hope you will have a good one. And I presume
you will. I saw Mr Johnson and gave him your bill which he promised to
redeem in a few days.
Now as my sheet is getting most full I must submit these simple scriblings
to your care hoping and expecting to receive an answer soon, tell Sally
I am looking for that promised letter every day and remember I shall be
looking for the one you promised soon.
So good Bye
From your friend
Delos
To Julia
[]
Transcribe on December 12, 2003, by Wendell R. Evans
0477 - Richmond Dec. 6th 1859
Absent Friend
As I am waiting for 9 ocloc & scholars and have nothing to
busy myself with I thought I would commence a letter (if letter it may
be called) to my absent friend and perhaps I shall finish it before the
close of the week. One day of my winters job has passed never more to return
and I suppose you can say Ditto. Had fifteen scholars yesterday hope I
shall more to day. I staid a Mr Whittekers last night expect to spend the
week with them at least Albert wanted me to as he is not going to be at
home after this week he is going to teach the school on Rumsey Hill. He
was up the Creek Sunday and found that Sade had gone so he concluded he
would teach. This winter they are very lonesome at Mr. Wm. School is out
and it rains awful hard besides being all mud. I have had only 13 schollars
to day [___] I hope I shall have more soon if not it will certainly be
a dull winter for me. But I guess there’l be enough yet. Your cousins Martin
Schoonover and brother came to your house last Friday (but I guess this
won’t be any news). I must now stop scribling and leave the school house
or I shall loose my supper.
Wednesday morning 8 ocloc. Finds me again in the school room
all alone so I thought I would spend a few minutes conversing with you
by the way of pen and paper. If you wish to know my thoughts. I was thinking
what a pleasant time you must have going to school this morning in the
rain and mud but I suppose you don’t have far to go. I havint heard yet
how Morsison likes his school don’t know but I shall go home to night and
perhaps I can tell you. Albert has invited me to go to Rutland with him
a week from next Sunday (Extraordinaries Excepted) please tell me what
you think about it will you. As I have a chance to send to the Post Office
this afternoon I guess I will finish my scriblings and send them along
so please accept a short letter this time and write a long answer _ will
you tell all about your school [___]. Please write immediately
Yours as Ever D. H. Walker
To Julia
[]
Transcribe on September 15, 2003, by Wendell R. Evans
0486 - Tioga Centre Oct 29of
1858
My ever Remembered Friend
Last Thursdays mail bought one a welcome letter & it was
just in time to reach me before I left Maine for we took the cars at 2
oclock & the mail came at 1 we are at our cousins Mrs Sigmors we staid
to Dr Earl’s last Night the Dr. Married another Cousin & what good
visits we have, perhaps you remember Louisa Ransom as a Schoolmarm she
is the Cousin we have been to see & she almost talked us to death now
do you believe it. I am very glad to hear of the good work going on in
Covington & Delos I am also glad to learn the influence the meetings
have had on my absent friend as I still claim you to be. & I hope before
this time you have found peace in believing & oh may you live so you
can always enjoy yourself better than Jule has at all times & I trust
you will.
Delos the day you was at the inspection we were on our way from Maine
to Tioga Centre & I did not get time to read your letter untill we
were in the cars then I had plenty of time to read two or three such letters
& wished there was more of the same but will give you credit for that
was a very good letter I think. Which of us spent last Thursday in the
most profitable way do you think please tell will you. I was much pleased
to hear you had new neighbors & hope they are of the best kind &
will you please to count them & tell me how many there is for my bump
of inquisitness is increacing don’t you agree with me (say) No I am glad
you asked Nelis what she told you for now I know, & tell her that when
I get a letter from her that is not an answer to my own I will try &
return an epistle to her but to answer an answer would be very strang to
me I think now you can do as you like about telling her & tell her
too if she don’t thank me for a call I think I will visit her soon now
you must tell her this. Now I cant think of any thing to write that you
want to know for I have to visit a part of the time so there is some of
my silly stuff will be missing in this very nice letter & I guess you
wont be sorry will you. Delos I have written all I know & more too
& so you will please to excuse me this time when you write please Direct
to Halsey Valley Tioga Co. N. York now you cant say I have waited for two
letters this time can you oh let me tell you where we are going first to
Aunt Julius then to Halsey to Uncle R’s & don’t know how longer shall
stay but perhaps 2 or 3 months, only think tis 7 weeks since we left home
aint that a good while for us to stay me in particular, please to tell
me how the meetings progress in Covington will you not & now good bye
to an absent & well remembered friend Delos
Saturday morning
I will write just a little this morning if you will permit me to &
I guess you will wont you how well I would like to go to meeting in Covington
once more & with friends who took the interest in it that I think you
do now it would be a pleasure indeed. Delos I received the money you sent
& so Mr Johnson found another bill did he not.
Now when you write tell every thing you know & not forget
it will you as tis most time for the mail traine to come along you must
excuse poor writing & mistakes & believe your Julia
Love to every body & any body who will accept it.
Please give my love to all who want it & the usual share to yourself
from Julia.
If you see Hide tell her to answer our letter & the place to send
her letter if she don’t know already that is if you please to this is the
last time I’ll say good bye in this letter
Jule
Please to give my best love & good wishes to Melissa & Dave
& tell them I will write as soon as they will be glad to hear from
me I’ll bet please to accept this in full to Delos Good bye
Jule
[]
Transcribe on December 5, 2003, by Wendell R. Evans
0481 - Sunday Dec 18th, 1859
Dear Friend
Yours of the 12th was received yesterday and to day finds me
seated with pen in hand to scrible a few more lines for your personal it
is quite pleasant to day for it snows rains thaws and hails all at once
but I suppose you know this without telling I will tell you a little about
my school. As that comes first in order now a days I have had only 27 different
scholars but that was as many as I wanted to get along with last week for
I was so hoarse two days I could hardly speak loud. But to day can talk
quite comfortable I don’t know what I should have done if I had had as
large a school as you do. But I wouldn’t mind trading schools if it would
make it any more pleasant for you. Yes I would like to have been there
to eat supper with you for you know I am a great hand for biscuit and honey
but I had some for breakfast and I suppose that will do just as well. I
have sent for your cook book. Then I suppose we shall have the chicken
fixings. (but enough of this) Roswell has about 40 scholars likes his school
well I guess Morison is not teaching yet. We heard from him the other day
he had got letter. but his folks had the measles and he was waiting for
his turn to come. I don’t know whether they will wait for him, or get some
one else to teach the school. I hope I shan’t get the measles till my school
is out. Joseph has given up going to Pine Creek but to morrow he is going
to move out to Hepsedam all of his family except aunt Betsy and the old
lady and they are going to live alone. (aint that funny) Ho Ho Jule. Dave
and Melis havent gone to the govenors to live yet but Hark listen Aunt
Relia (your aunt of course) has gone to spend the winter with them. Now
aint that funnyer still. please tell I have not told all about the man
with the overshoes yet just because I have not seen him but I lay my writing
aside and go over to Mericks and see him according to promise. and then
I will tell him so good by for a little while.
I have got back from Mericks and it is most dark so I will scrible
a few more lines while I can see. I told all about B. W. L. and the overshoes
he seemed to lay it to heart considerable, said he wouldn’t have any more
to say to Lade, but when he come to tell me of the next Saturday arrangement.
I though may be he was joking he told me to tell Jule not to have any school
on Monday. Probably you know the arrangements better than I, so I wont
tell you any more. Your folks are all well. Ant has gone home to Pine Creek
I must now draw this interesting Epistle to a close and I guess you will
say enough by the time you have read this far if read if you can, I hope
yours school nay be pleasant and you be happy which is the prayers of your
unworthy friend. Delos To Julia
[]
Transcribe on December 3, 2003, by Wendell R. Evans
0483 - The Glory of God passith
all under standing how glorious & wonderful must he be to call into
universe such a world as this & to much beauty just by the word of
his breath who can measure his glory wisdom or power, is man the lord of
creation able, can he even form in his own mind a being such as our creation
must be no his most exalted views come far short of a just conception of
the glorious being we call God & is he not worthy then of the most
adoring love of sinful men can poor downfallen mortals ask a frighten boor
than he has given that of his blessed son I coming down from the shining
streets of heaven to suffer & bleed on the cross & by wicked tongues
he was blasphemed cruel hands nailed him to the rugged wood & pierced
his side to spill his precious blood, & why did god suffer his only
son this to be abused for no other purpose then to buy our souls which
we had forfeited from his law by committing so many unpardonable since
sins for which we should have died & been lost forever had not our
blessed redeemer chosen to die for us & now I ask can we praise or
honor him enough for the services he has done & is still doing
oh no no no Julie
[]
Transcribe on November 21, 2003, by Wendell R. Evans
0484 - Roseville the 12 – 1859
Absent Friend
I received your note this noon & was happy to hear from you as
ever but when you thought I could say Ditto then was the time you were
mistaken for I did not begin school until Tuesday so now you see how much
we know of each others doings. Well I have the pleasant little school of
40 schollars & four of the boys are as large as yourself not as old
however don’t you wish you could exchange places with Jule I wish you would
but never mind I can manage some way I guess
Oh dear me ins as Chet says this is the worst pen I ever had and the
stores are shut up for the night so you will have to burn this up as soon
as read for it is horrible to behold but never mind I am marked 1 in writing
so its good of course & I suppose you will want to know where I lived
last week & I will tell you it was to Mother Pimpsons & to night
I am to the Tavern Mr Backers
lives in it the sitting room now occupied by the school marm is as cold
as a barn ought to be I am giving you an exciting picture of my new home
am I not well I’ll stop. Say Delos tell all for me that Sally had a Bean
last Sunday afternoon by the name of Bill W Poper he had on overshoes &
took them off two or three times while he staid __r Supper I will now try
to finish my scribblings I had for tea some fresh baked rib & potatoes
warm biscuits coffee raspberrys & honey don’t you wish you had been
here say what can I write that will be interesting to you I am so tired
to night I can hardly write a word you asked me what I said about your
coming over next Sunday I say you had not better come until your are invited
to by Sally & Albert then will be soon enough I think don’t you as
you will have to come and stay so long then I am happy to say that Carms
folks are all well at present. Delos you will please to excuse me from
exposing my ignorance farther.
I am as ever Jule
To Mr D H Walker
P.S. I forgot has Morrison got
Well again I hope so at least
Give him my respect’s tell
Me how he is getting on in
School, please to excuse
This awful looking letter
Jule
[]
Transcribe on September 13, 2003, by Wendell R. Evans
0464 - Covington Jan. 1, 1860
Dear Friend
Judging you by myself I thought you would like to hear how your
friend by this time but perhaps I don’t judge aright I’ll let you decide
that however and I’ll write any how if you want to know how the week has
paped with me I can tell you as well as not. Monday you know about as well
as i. I got home about 12 o’cloc found John Hazleton and wife at our house.
Tuesday had school went home after school and John and I had a regular
feast of Oysters don’t you wish you had been there to have some of them.
Wednesday night was at home Thursday night had show down to my school house.
George Hinney and Martha Hagenbauch have just come so I must lay my writing
aside for the present. it is now 9 o’cloc and take my pen to finish my
scribling and scribling I guess it will be for I cant see the lines. Pa
and Harriet just went from here. Harriet has been studying your cook-book
and they have been trying to have considerable fun with me about my housekeping
(but I don’t care). I have got a nice little present for Jule with a place
for two faces in each it is a slick one I tell you (or will be at least
after its fitted with faces) I was going you a history of the first week
but I have forgot where I left off so I shall have to turn back and we
and see where to commence again. Well Thursday night I staid at Mr. Robinsons
and Friday night had a spelling school. Last night I went to watch meeting
and they had a first rate meeting to (I thought), Ed Stilwell preached
a sermon after which they had a conference meeting until the new year commenced.
I got home about 1 o’cloc and that accounts for such awful looking writing
to night (don’t it) I was over to your house to day your folks were all
well but your father and was getting better than he had been. School is
to commence in our neighborhood tomorrow Mr. Ripley is going to teacher.
Our folks have all gone to bed and left me setting up all alone
and I guess I shall have to stop writing for I cant think of anything more
to tell you this time. For to tell the truth I am rather sleepy so I will
wish you a happy New Year and then go to bed. Please write often.
Yours as Ever Delos
To Julia
Good Night
[]
Transcribe on November 15, 2003, by Wendell R. Evans
0482 - Covington Feb. 12th 1860
Dear friend
I have just got home from Meeting have been to the methodist
quarterly meeting the presiding Elder preached. Had a very good meeting
I thought. There has been two funerels in Covington the last week Martin
Gerolds wife was buried on Thursday. And old Mess Robinson from Elk
Run on Friday. Garrett is here and they are all talking so fast that I
can’t think of anything to write so you will have to blame the rest if
I don’t write anything interesting for you know I allways do write something
smart Mr. Ripley had a spelling school last Wendnesday night and last night
a grammar school had quite an interesting school quarrelled some but they
all seemed to be against me. For Joseph was not there if he had been I
should have had help. I had quite a pleasant time coming home Monday morning
got to my school house at 8 ocloc. All had not started for his school when
I got there oh I can’t think of any thing to write so I will stop for this
time and go over to your house an see how they all enjoy themselves and
mabee they will tell me something else to write. But I will ask a few questions
before I go. Have you been playing school the last week. And has your dancing
Terry been to school any more and have you had a visit from his father
yet. But try and be happy for school will soon be done and and then I guess
you will Enjoy yourself better don’t you think so.
Twenty days more and I shall be done with my job for this winter and
although I have a pleasant school. I shall feell as though I was out of
prison. I will now stop scribling for this time and I guess you’ll be glad
if I don’t write better than this is written.
Monday morning before school.
While I am waiting for school time to arrive I will scrible a few more
lines for Jules personal but I really am ashamed of such a looking letter
as this is doomed to be and if it was not for keeping my word (which you
know I always do)I would burn it before I send it to you. But I will send
it with a promise that you shall throw it in the fire as soon as you read
the contents. To night I am going to Covington to the Literary society.
Please come and go with me will you. My scholars are all coming so I must
draw my interesting letter to a close. And I hope the time will soon come
when we can be nearer and converse with each other without using pen and
paper so we will live in hopes. And Jule try and be happy while you are.
For God is ever present and ready to make us happy.
Ever yours Delos
To Julia
PS your folks are all well
[]
Transcribe on September 11, 2003, by Wendell R. Evans
0462 - Richmond Jan. 16th 1860
My Dear Friend
Your letters was received to day noon and I was very glad to
hear from you once more. It is a great pleasure for me to receive the letters
from my friends and from best friend in particular. I was down to Mr Whittekers
to day noon Sarah is quite sick to day she appears to have considerable
fever. They had gone for your mothers and I suppose she is there now. I
hope her sickness is not going to last long I’ll tell you again to morrow
how she is. I am at Mr Jaquishes I staid here two nights last week and
the rest of the nights at home it is pleasant to be now home and to have
a home to go to and still I am not always as thankful as I ought to be.
To the given of all Blessings for the many memories and blessings bestowed
and I often find myself wandering away from that God who has been so mindful
of me. But when I come to his throne and there offer up my feble petition
I find that he is ever near and ready to forgive my heart wandering and
you my dear friend are always remembered in my in my lonely hours and all
my prayers [___] said you supposed I was where I could go to meeting. Yes
I went to meeting up the creek in the forenoon accompanied by your sisters
Mary & Jane, Mr Ripley & Roswell. In the evening to hear [El_]
Gaites preach his text was I am not ashamed of the doctrine of Christ for
it is the powers of God unto salvation to every one that believe to the
few first and also to the gentile. He preached a very smart discourse I
thought. I had a spelling school last week and they all done as well as
could be expected to at a school of that kind. I write this beautiful writing
I tell will yours I must now stop writing for it is almost bed time. So
I will bid you good night and may your dream be pleasant and may you be
watched over and kept safe by the guardian angle of the night.
Delos
{A Mark for Jule}
Tuesday Morning I have just got up and while I am waiting for breakfast
I will write a few lines more. The weather has changed since last night
then it was muddy and thawing now it is cold and snowing some I like to
see cold weather best when I am teaching school (that is if it aint too
could) but we must take the wether as it comes and I must learn to be content
for all things are given us for wise and good purposes. You say you are
not coming home till March and has it got to be two months before I before
I can see you. O Jule that seems a long time when I think of months in
a moments but I will try and be content for you know best whether it is
right for us to see each other or not and with this thought I will try
and be contented. I am in the school room once more have just got a fire
built and waiting patiently for 9 ocloc to arrive. I would like to
have been to the surprise party you spoke of if it would have made it any
pleasanter for you for it would certainly be pleasant for me to be where
I could enjoy the society of my friend Julia. As I have just 20 minutes
before school time I will stop writing and go down and see how Sadi is
this morning. The boys are having a recess and I have noting to do so I
will try and finish my scribling. I went to see Sadi she is better this
morning and and they think that she is a going to get well without having
a run of fever. Your Mother has gone home this morning. I don’t know as
I have any thing to tell you this time only that I intend to go to Covington
to night to meeting. I wish you could go with me don’t you. But will hope
for brighter days to come.
Please accept this simple letter from your friend Delos
And I shall look [f___] answer soon
To Julia
(excuse blots)
[]
Transcribe on September 14, 2003, by Wendell R. Evans
0434 - Letter from Keziah Hannah FROST Seely
[]
Camp Parole, Maryland – August 24th, 1862 |
 |
Dear Sister and Brother
I received your kind letter Friday and was very glad to hear from you
glad to hear that you was well and that Mary was better and was not disappointed
to hear that Jane was sick but I hope she is better and hope she will be
more careful in the future. I do not believe that I can think of any thing
that will be interesting to you but nevertheless I will show my good will
by telling you all I know now I will tell you how I am situated I stay
in Camp all of the time and must confess I like it far better than I do
living alone, this camp is situated on a high point of land that extends
out into the bay and 3 sides of it is washed by the luring waves the other
side of the camp ground is within 20 rods of the city. But the 67th Pa.
Rgt. Volunteers are here as guards to keep the Paroled prisoners out of
the City and I suppose it is a very necessary arangement but a tin cup
or canteen or a waterpail is all the pays that is required for them to
go where the please and I would think that closing the whisky shops would
be a better protection to citizens propperty than an armed patrol for as
far as I can judge those prisoners are men when sober there is now nearly
2000 paroled men here now from Pa. N.Y. and the east. The Pa. occupy the
west side of the camping ground and it is certainly the most quiet and
orderly, there is a lady here with her husband that belongs to the N.Y.
11th but instead of their having their tent in the New York row he set
it at the end of the end Pennsylvania _etier but no one blame him for that
for the New Yorkers are hartlest set there is about here we have a tent
by ourselves at the south end of the Pa. Street and the NY ladys is at
the north end she was taken prisoner with her husband but enough of that,
now what do we have to eat the government furnishes Bakers Bread, fresh
Beef, Beans, Coffee, Sugar, hard crackers, and several times potatoes,
Tea and Rice and one man allowance is almost enough for two, there is an
abundance of fruit here now such as Apples, Peaches Ripe Tomatoes at reasonable
prices also Cabbage Onions and in fact all kinds of gardy sauce. Merrick
has been making his dollar per day the past week. I do not know how long
his business will hold good but he has more than made up my expenses coming
here besides what it cost him to feed us here and I tell you we at least
are living well Merrick is lying on the bed asleep you will notice to day
is Sunday, some of the Boys have been catching Oysters and fish and are
now cooking the same for their dinners they all say they had much rather
be in active service than lying here and eating and thinking of home that
is all the service they can render Uncle Sam. At present although they
are not sick of helping him, I have been up to the top of the state house
since I came here and I was well paid for going up stairs until I was tired
for it affords a splendid view of the surrounding country both land and
water I have also visited the cemetery. And on one side of the grounds
is many new graves over which the grass has not yet grown they are Soldiers
graves many of them from our native state. Some from Michigan and some
from Maine and almost every loyal state there is a painted board at the
head with their name and the regiment they belonged to on it to mark the
spot where they sleep how different from the place where the old soldiers
sleep an old man here in town told me he had helped bury 1300 of the old
soldiers here beneath where our tents now stand and where there is nothing
to show that there was ever a grave here we are all well and I shall stay
here as long as Merrick does unless something happens to prevent. They
don’t know what is going to be done with them yet you know I thought that
they had received pay when Merrick sent me that money but it was not so
they have not had pay since April consequently there is 4 months due them.
Merrick says the Rebels did not take anything from him but his arms and
he says the Rebels did not take money or clothes from any of them some
were out of money before they were taken and of course the Rebels did not
give them any but I must stop for this paper is full write soon give my
respect to all.
Juli you said my garden looked well if the cucumbers bear any you might
as well get what you can of them for they wont do me any good at present
or anything that you about get it.
[_eant] make Walt believe that his little dog was hurt himself hopping
around Walt is growing fat as fast as possible
Your Sister K. H. Seely
[]
Transcribe February 12, 2003, by Wendell R. Evans
0435 - Letter from Keziah Hannah
FROST Seely
[]
Camp of Instruction Sept. 13th 1862
Dear Sister!
And Brother I now sit down to inform you that we are well at present
and hope this will find you enjoying the best of health. I have no news
to write but think you will be glad know we are situated by this time you
will see by this heading of this that we have moved since I last wrote
not where some expected. Some thought that they were all to be sent to
their own states but the time for that has not yet come we are now about
2 ½ miles from the place where the paroled men were camped when
I came here I think they were moved on account of room for their number
has increased a great deal since I came here they are now encamped on what
has been a beautiful plantation it has been worked by slave labor until
it has been somewhat run down and the Soldiers have occupied it since the
war broke out. Brother Nat I have not heard from him nor do I know where
to direct a letter to him but if you hear you must surely let me know now
you said I must tel you what to do with our things now I don’t know any
better than you if you have a chance to sell the cow or calf or both let
them go I don’t know when I shall be there again. I shall stay here as
long as my husband does and should he be exchanged and sent back into the
service it will not be my fault if I don’t go to. There will be but one
thing to hinder that is our boy and I am not sure that he will but rather
expect it I tell Walt that Delos will surly have that dog killed but I
can make him believe that Delos will let him be hurt if he is ever mischievous
if I was you I would tie him up if he acts to bad. But there is nothing
going on here that would interest you if I should scratch [__ay] all day
so I guess I had better stop I want you to write soon and tell me about
our Fathers Mothers Sister. But it is beautiful even in ruins although
it is now void of fences or any other to the soldier [_esileps] appendage.
The mansion is in good completion evinces pretty good taste in its construction.
But I do not exactly like the looks of the Negro quarters and there is
none of buildings graced with the presence of a cook stove or other labor
saving inventions except Niggers but enough of that the men here are far
more comfortable situated than I expected to find them they have not received
pay since they were taken prisoner and some not for a long while before
and a good share of them are out of money and this of course growl and
grumble and I think it is hard times but I do not believe they could be
more comfortable in camp anymore than they are here. Those that are here
from Covington are all well and seem to be as merry set David Preland is
homesick and I think he shall be home soon but I don’t know how that will
be you spoke and Brothers and all of their children also Uncle and Aunts.
One and all now you can’t write about any one there but what would be interesting
to us we want to know what Regt. Roswell is in and what his Captains name
is also if there is as much excitement there about the Rebels going up
there as there is here there is [___] or has been quite a stir here about
the danger of Pennsylvania but there has been a fight Friday we think from
the sound of the cannon that we have not heard from yet. Tell Ma and Pa
I want their consent for me to go to war if my Husband has to go again
well I will stop now give my love to all and keep a share for yourselves
write soon goodbye for the present.
K. H. Seely
Merrick is so lazy he wont write but he likes to get letters as well
as any one K. H. She has been very careful about telling the truth untill
she put her name to it.
M. C. Seely
[]
Transcribe February 12, 2003, by Wendell R. Evans
0438 - Letter from Keziah Hannah
FROST Seely
[]
Missing front part of letter
[]
Date 1862
Camp Parole, Maryland
Now Jule I though I could put on I know on one sheet of paper but I
cant begin for I want to tell you what a good visit I had with Jim Allen.
I went to where Karen said he went but Jim want there he was convalescent
and had gone to Annapolis Junction. Harmon can tell you where that is for
it is where he sat in the cars to long. You spoke about Sarahs baby having
whooping cough poor little thing I am sorry for it. How is [s__] is she
gaining or is she running down still tell me all about it now Delos. Merrick
says he would says he would write to you if he could write as well as you
can but as he never received any answer to the one he wrote to you he thinks
you could not read it therefore thinks it would be useless to attempt to
open a correspondence with you but I have no such fears about mine for
if you cant read mine you can get some good scholar to help you, but enough
of that I was a little disappointed to hear that your Brother had to was
but I feel that it is the place for young men at the present time. You
all doubtless miss him at home and feel anxious about him but he has doubtless
gone fully convinced that it was his duty. I feel to simpathize with you
and especially his mother but it is easier for to have him go as a volunteer
than a drafted man and I believe that it is far easier for him to go than
it would be if he had a family dependent on him for support I hope he will
be spared to return to his friends, There is men in this camp that have
been taken prisoner whose hair is white with age there is also mere boys
that certainly are not out of their teens but they all seem contented with
the lot they have chosen but most all express the wish that the may be
exchanged so as to enter active service again, I guess I will stop for
I have made more ducks tracks now than you will have time pick out tell
Ma that I would write to her seperately if I knew anything to write
the men that went from Covington with Merrick are all here but Otis Grould,
Bill Campbell and Decker, and are all well if you see Mrs Hartman tell
her that her man is most sorry she did not come with me and I am quite
write soon all of you
K H Seely
[]
Transcribe February 14, 2003, by Wendell R. Evans
 |
0439 - Letters from Nathaniel Frost
Company K, 4th Regiment, Minnesota Veteran Volunteers,
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corp. |
May 21, 1862 – From Cornith, Mississippi[]
Head Quarters Gen. Pope’s, Division State of Mississippi
Dear Brother & Sisters
Received yours of the first of the present month & with it some
medison & ointment from mother it came very execptable. The ointment
has cured my cough. I was glad to hear that our folks were comfortably
well I hope this may find the same blessing continued In yours you hoped
the day was not far distant. When the last rebelious traitor would be slain
I am with you in hoping that peace may speedily come. But I can’t say I
wish the last of them slain. I hope the mases of the Rebel Army may return
to their [al__] and leaders cathed and hanged. The men are deserting just
as fast as they can and come to our lines by companies. There was a German
company that was sent on picket duty took a notion to desert and come over
to our lines and give themselves up came acrost a company of our pickets
they chalenged them but they did not halt, our men fired into them killed
5 or 6 of them and wounded several more the firing to our camp & orders
were amediately given to fall in this happened about midnight our men were
up and dressed armed and equiped and in the ranks in about 3 minutes but
we heard no more fireing except the one voley did not go out. We have at
least 200,000 effective men all within 12 miles Corrinth. Our generals
tells us that the Minnesota 4th is the best regiment on the ground, They
say we are the strongest most healthy looking men and the most of them
& the best drilled. They have seen us on drils parade a few times our
regiment is attached to Brig. Gen. Buforts Brigade He says that when we
get into action our regiment will be kept in reserve untill there is a
charge orderd. Then we will go in with the bayonet’s The general says he
don’t fear for the result. You may think that moves our army slow but if
you knew what amount of work was to do in order to get in our guns and
supply’s there was roads to make through heavy timber for a good many miles
and some of the way over very wet ground our camps is in a circle around
Corrinth it is all the time groing smaller our camp is now within 4 miles
of Corrinth every inch of the ground for the last 6 miles all around our
lines has been contested by Rebel scouts pickets and skirmishers our boys
are at them every day they back up as we advance. They some times wound
some of our men and kill one ocasionaly but the Rebels allways get the
worst of it in a skirmish. Our regiment went out yesterday we advanced
1 mile nearer the enemy’s lines than any of our men had been before the
Rebels took good care to keep out our way. We saw their tracks and went
near enough their camp so we could hear their fife and drum we certainly
was not over a mile from them our men wanted to go over and give them a
few rounds But Gen. Halleck has gave orders not to bring on a general engagement
untill every thing was ready & then he would give us a chance to try
it. We have cannon slanted out in front of our camp in a position that
we can throw shot and shell into Corrinth.
We have entrenchment’s here that we can fall back to if we get in to
a scrape and find the enemy to strong for us we have artilery and amunition
plenty. There is thousands of men at work every day cutting down trees
and old houses. There artilery has now opened on our left it is not far
off they are useing shell. We can hear them explode. We expect to get into
it before night I suppose the enemy is trying to force his way out but
he will have a mighty warm time I can tell you. Please tell mother I would
like to have her send a receipt for making that wilde medison.
Give my respect to all; tell father I am waiting patiently for his
letter yours truly
Nathaniel Frost
To D. H. Walker
PS
Please give all our folk an invitation to write me destination will
be Co. K 4th Minnesota Regt. Gen. Popes Head Quarters Army of the Mississippi
near Corrinth.
I have not heard from my wife since I left. I want to know if you had
heard any thing from her. Other men have got letters from Minnesota since
I come I don’t know why I cant.
I want to go back to Minnesota very much but not untill this rebelion
is wiped out. If they are whiped here I think it will be their last kick.
They well be whipped Providence Permitting
No earthly power can save them
[]
Transcribe June 23, 2002, by Wendell R. Evans
0440 - Letters from Nathaniel
Frost
Company K, 4th Regiment, Minnesota Veteran Volunteers,
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corp.
1862
[]
Miles fr Camp near Corinth Oct. 12th, 62
Dear Sister
I received yours of the [___] this morning I will try and write
you a few lines in answer. In the first place my health is very good and
hope this may find you and yours enjoying the same. We have had some prety
hard fighting since I last wrote. Our forces had [___] hard battles and
whiped them badly in every one. I in Corinth and I on the Hatchie River
about 20 miles I was in them at Corinth but come out all right. Our regiment
was extremely lucky for the part they took our loss in killed is but two
one of them is our Captain Co. K, we had several wounded but none seriously.
Tell Delos to help you write when next you write. Give my respects to Melissa
and tell her to do so again when ever she feels like it. I am sorry she
is left alone but such things must be when our government and our liberties
and every thing we live for is at stak our lives if need be should be a
free sacrifice and the alter of our country my prayer is god speed the
right.
Yours truly
Nathaniel Frost
To Mrs. Julia Walker
[]
Transcribe June 23, 2002, by Wendell R. Evans
0441 - Letters from Nathaniel
Frost
Company K, 4th Regiment, Minnesota Veteran Volunteers,
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corp.[]
Benson – [___] [___] 30, 1862
To Sister Julia
Your note of the 11 came yesterday found me a waiting anshwers too her
from N and stil lefts me as much so as my it seems hard that Nate must
be ware he is to express so much well I suspos you will think it enough
and so it is I will tell something of ar farming home it [___] all the
time after we left [___] arived at [___] Friday eveing [___] [___] into
a [___] my hard founed brother had ben thar too day and [___] [___]
a man [___] go [___] [___] [___] and take us home then next day it rind
and pore all day but Flora did not get [___] and as ben well since I have
ben on the sick list for a few days [___] [___] think I an on the [___]
[___] ther friends well. Expect Uncle Goodrige youngis son is very good
with [___] [___].
Mother I think you made me [___] [___] her [___] books I will send
it as soon as I can [___] [___] [___] writing to me about som [___] I have
ben writing to N to day and shall have a lettr sent him once a week if
you her from him [___] me [___] tell granpa that Flora misis him
I have to [___] [___] up you a [___] [___] [___] every day I shal get a
book for father before long and send too him I cant think of anything more
too write you that will interest [___] should like to stop in and se you
all this [___] best one cannot be every ware they like Dlos I was glad
too her you was goin into the school this winter for this is nothing to
be [___] in doing with a person is not able [___] pleas. [___] excuss
are mistakes and write some all of you my love. So we so good bye for this
time
From Maryett Frost & Flora[]
Transcribe June 30, 2002, by Wendell R. Evans
0442 - Letters from Nathaniel
Frost
Company K, 4th Regiment, Minnesota Veteran Volunteers,
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corp.
[]
1862
[]
In camp 8 miles south of Oxford Miss. Dec 13th 1862
Dear Sister
I received a letter from my wife & with it one she had wrote for
you. So I thought I would send it to you after filling it up my health
remains good & hope this may find you enjoying the same. Some of of
our men are sick but not so bad as last summer. We have drove the rebels
out of their strong hold on the Talehatchee river & Abbeville. They
are deserting and comeing in to our lines by hundreds and every mississippian
we come accrost says the people in these parts are heartily sick of the
war. I have not much news to write I am in hopes I shall see you in less
than a year if my life is spared. I have a sick man to care for so I must
bid you good night. Wright soon & often yours as ever.
N- Frost
To sister Julia
[]
Transcribe June 24, 2002, by Wendell R. Evans
0443 - Letters from Nathaniel
Frost
Company K, 4th Regiment, Minnesota Veteran Volunteers,
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corp.
Memphis, Tennessee - 1863
[]
Jan. 8th, 63
9 miles from Memphis Camp at White Station Tennessee
Dear brother & sister Walker
I rec’d your letter last evening & am on guard to day but
I will try and get time to answer it my health is very good I hope this
may find you enjoying the same great blessing. I got a letter from Albert
the other day he did not write anything about your brother Roswell death.
He probably had not heard of it ‘Twas sad news to me indeed. But such things
are of daily occurrence the sacrafice for our country is greater than the
benefits of the war can be to the present generation. Be it settled ever
so favourable peace wont cure the brokenhearted widows & orphan children
& bereaved parents. Whose brave sons have shed their blood on so many
well fought field. An honourable settlement of the war and negro question
with a restoration of the union would be a pleasant thing but it would
not restore to us our friends that have fallen. So we must look to the
spirit land to meet these dear that have departed. I hope our lives may
be so ordered that we meet to part no more in that bright world where war
is unknown and peace eternal reigns. Tell mother that I am much obliged
to her for those pills but hope I shall not be under the necesity of using
them but they might come handy. They came all right but the coating was
pretty much off of them. I’ll send some cotton seeds in this letter you
can keep them yourselves or let mother have them they are of the new crop
I picked them myself I was on guard in a cotton field the other night.
If you plant them early they will grow large enough so you can see how
a cotton plant looks. Our regiment is guarding the Memphis and Charleston
Railroad they are shipping a great deal of government cotton over this
road. There is not lefs than 12 or 15,000 dollars worth goes into Memphis
daily. Please write soon and often & tell the rest of our friends to
do the same. I have not heard from my wife since I sent you her letter
but expect to get some. Give my respects to all. We get some awful reports
from battle’s they say is being fought at Vicksburg & Murfreesburg.
We hear some times that Vicksburg has fallen then again we hear that Gen.
Sherman is badly whipped so we can’t believe much we hear. They also tell
about Gen. Rosecrans fighting Brag getting whipped but other reports say
that Brag is whipped we can do as we like about believing any if them.
We soon expect to get 2 months pay this afternoon but we have 6 months
pay due the boys think it rather rough not get all that is due good. Bye
yours as ever.
Nathaniel Frost
To Delos Walker
[] Transcribe June 23, 2002, by Wendell R. Evans []
0444 - Letters from Nathaniel
Frost
Company K, 4th Regiment, Minnesota Veteran Volunteers,
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corp.
[]
Helena Ark – April 11th 1863
Dear Sister
I received your letter of March 25 last evening I was glad to hear
from you and learn that our folks were all well but sad to learn that our
cousin Mida was dead but hardly a day pases but. We hear of the death of
some, as funeral procession is so common a thing that a very little notices
is taken of it. When a man dies here he is buried before he gets cold &
in some cases before he gets done kicking. They generaly fire 3 volleys
over the grave and rattle drum & fife a little and the thing is done,
the chaplains hold to high a position & draw to much pay to be presant
on such sollemn ocasions. My health keeps tolerable good I hope this may
find you of yours enjoying the same priceless boon. We have ben on an expedition
through yazoo Pops had rather a rough time but no fight we were 28 days
from the time we left here untill we got back we returned yesterday. What
is going on in this department we don’t know but if all the moves that
is made don’t amount to more than the yazoo scrape did. We had better a
enoledge the independence of the Confederate States and make peace with
Jeff before the nation becomes bankrupt. But I still hope that something
may turn up in Gen. Banks Department that will change the color of things
a little. It is thought that we will be ordered down to assist Banks if
we go we go through that new canall to lake Providence and through them
Bious into Red River and down that to the Mississippi River that that will
be a long ride at least 700 miles from here & I expect a rather rough
route to get a fleet through. We hear that the rebel’s have the high bluffs
along Red River ocupied with baterys to give us fits as we come down. But
they might get fooled a little at that game. We have some big guns a float
in these waters. Wel enough of this I got to Agitators with this mail they
were the first and only papers I have received from your part of the Country
now. They have learned the way I hope that others may follow the same track.
Tell mother that I got her letter to Janes this will have to do for an
answer to all I must answer K’s letter & then my other duties claim
some attention. I got a letter from my wife yesterday dated March 22nd
she writes they are all well and little Flora as spry as a cricket and
trying to talk considerable and Emogene & Cooly was packing up to go
to Minnesota. Give my respects to all write often. Tell the rest to do
so to I will do the best I can towards answering them. I got a letter from
Albert when I was down the yazoo he writes that they have knapsacks but
he cant he teach the western army on that head. I wish my time was as near
out as his is. I would like to come home talk the matter over with him.
Tell Sarah & Nancy that I would like to see a letter from them for
a change the same to Mary. Tell Ruel I don’t expect any letters from him
but I would like hear from him. I think it is his turn to write if I have
kept account wright. Good bye for the present from your brother
Nat- to Julia
[] Transcribe June 25, 2002, by Wendell R. Evans []
0445 - Letters from Nathaniel
Frost
Company K, 4th Regiment, Minnesota Veteran Volunteers,
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corp.
[]
I camp in the field out side the rebel forts at Vicksburg Monday morning
May 25th 1863
Dear brother & Sister Walker
I received yours of April 26 a few days since but have had to much
marching guard duty & fighting to do to reply any sooner. My health
is good I have not ben on the sick list since August last. I am always
ready for any emergency so say our officers. I have ben in 4 hard battles
since the first of this month besides some skirmishes our hardest fight
we have ever had was fought on Friday last we made a general attack on
the rebel forts. The fight lasted from 10 o’clock and until after dark.
Our troops fought nobly & suffered terribly the loss in our regiment
is twelve killed or died since 33 wounded some of them mortaly. Co. K lost
4 killed 1 lieutenant & 3 privates and 8 wounded some of them badly.
My name is on the list of wounded but I did not loose any blood. I was
hit by a spent ball on the right arm on the front side about 4 inches from
the point of the shoulder it makes a black & blue spot and is some
sore but not so. But what I can do my duty our regiment was in the thick
part of the fight about 1 ½ hours and gave them the best licks they
had had but they got reinforcements & night come on so we left them.
Some of our men climed up the wall and fired in volley on the rebs. Our
artilery kept up a heavy fire on their forts all day but the rebs have
one of the strongest natural postions in the world & as stout forts
as ever was built made of coton bale’s timbers and dirt walls from 8 to
20 feet thick and from 10 to 18 or twenty feet high with ditches out side
front 10 to 15 feet wide and 12 or 14 deep. We have had a hundred guns
playing on them for 5 or 6 days & nights & the gunboats have been
shelling from the river. We have cleaned the field of rebels in every engagement
& captured large supplies of artiley and amunition & provision
mules & horses taken Jackson the capitol of Miss- destroyed the railroad
made every thing get right along until we come to those forts about Vicksburg
they have proved a slaughter house for our army at least ¼ of all
the troops engaged on Friday is either killed or wounded but we have not
gave up taking Vicksburg nor will not it must come or be burned. We have
direct communication open from the river both above & below Vicksburg
So. To Hains bluf and yazoo river above and grand gulf below so we have
them surrounded all but in front but that don’t do them much good for our
gunboats wont let them up the river or down. I they cross the river they
will find some of our troops on the other side to trim them out about as
their case requires. We have taken not less than 10,000 prisoners in the
recents fights. We have them pened & will hold them to it & we
give them tuns of iron every day in shape of shot and shell. They have
offered to surrender the town and guns but are not willing to surrender
the troops. Gen. Grant excepts nothing but an unconditional surrender of
every thing belonging to the concern this rebelion will be wiped out. The
government is getting stronger every day the army is loyal and would soon
fight northern traitors & coperheads as southern ones if the case requires
it. Give my respects to all and write often. Yours As ever
Nathaniel Frost
To D & J Walker
[] Transcribe June 25, 2002, by Wendell R. Evans []
0446 - Letters from Nathaniel
Frost
Company K, 4th Regiment, Minnesota Veteran Volunteers,
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army Corp.
[]
In camp at Vicksburg
June 15th A.D. 1863
Dear Sister Julia
I received yours of May 31st it found me well, but sorry to hear
that it was a sickly time in your part of the country. I hope to hear that
sister Seely has recovered from her sickness when I hear from you a gain.
We still have the rebel force prety pened tightly in Vicksburg and reinforcements
are ariving every day our men are digging new rifle pits every day &
getting all the time nearer to their forts. Skirmishing and artilery fireings
going on every day & has been ever since the 18th of last month &
will continue to __ it to them until they surrender if they hold out much
longer they won’t have much left of the city our shells have destroyed
a good many buildings there all ready. Our regiment was out in the rifle
pits yesterday and had some pretty brisk firing to do. We had 5 men wounded
and among them our 1st Lieut. the only commissioned officer we had left
in Co. K, he was in the rifle pit peaking out through the last hole and
a rebel shot into the hole and hit him in the side of his head knocked
down but he soo was up again. The ball cut a bad gash in his head but complains
considerable of pain in the head but it is thought that he will recover
soon. The others was wounded with pieces of shell from our own guns as
the artillery had fire over us some of the shells burst to soon scattered
their fragments amongst us. Tell Jane I got her letter but this will have
to do for her an you for I havent got time to write any more letters this
time. When you get this tell our folks to help you write for a family letter
is what I want. Our artillery is fireing prety fast this afternoon they
make such a noise that cant cary a very steady hand so I’ll quit for this
time
Nathaniel Frost
To sister Julia
[]
Transcribe June 24, 2002, by Wendell R. Evans
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Published On Tri-Counties Site On 07 JAN 2007
By Joyce M. Tice
Email: Joyce M.
Tice
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