George Messer of Co. F, 107th Illinois Infantry, writes from the regiment’s encampment near Woodsonville, Kentucky. He tells his wife that he will have revenge on his father and other relatives who have “abused” her and dealt with her unfairly. He informs her that the regiment has drawn new tents — “bell tents” — and that they are equipped with a furnace. He describes witnessing a lieutenant in the 27th Kentucky Infantry being “drummed out” of the service. They still look for an attack by Gen. Morgan.
Camp near Woodsonville, Kentucky
December 21st A.D. 1862
Dear Wife,
I seat myself today to write you a few lines in answer to yours of the 13th & 15th, the last of which I received the 19th when out on picket and I had not time nor the chance to answer them till now. You may imagine my feelings for I cannot find words sufficient to express them to think that while I am gone to the army and can’t return again at my own will for those who have remained at home and should be by the ties of nature my friends to take such an opportunity to go and abuse my wife when there is no one there to defend her to take what little there was left to maintain you & my child and then for him to tell such willful lies without the slightest foundation. It is too much to take without offering my resistance.
Now here I swear to you by the Eternal God if ever I return home again, I will have revenge. I am not the man to see you and my child wronged in that way & abused besides without any resentment. We have stood it long enough. We have had it hard enough. I have give away too long to my own disadvantage too. Now I have learned a lesson — one that has cost very dear. But I will always remember it for my future life, let it be long as it will.
I want you to get someone there to see to some things for us. You can’t run about to do it. You may get some one. I would rather Thomas Kelley would be the man but he may not have a chance to stay at home long enough. Your Father could attend to it if he would. You may ask them and let me know what they or anyone else will do for us and I think by that time I can have some legal advise here.
There may be some policy in letting him have [my horse] Dick for a little while yet to see whether he will put up any corn for me or not. The agreement about the corn can be proved by David Bell & Finley. We were all together when we talked about it. David Bell was to sell the corn — five hundred bushels — and pay Robens & it if come to anymore, he was to pay it to Magills. Now I fear that he too will fail to be a friend. O what have I done to merit such treatment. I have always been honorable to all men.
What other property I have there if you will let me know who will act for us, I will give an order to him and then the demand will be legal. If you can trade David Bell’s notes off and lift any of mine, do so. But don’t allow any shave on them for his notes are as good as mine. An even trade is all I would do.
You wanted to know what had become of Hen. Graham. He is here yet and has the rheumatism so bad he can’t hardly get about. He kept Tom’s overcoat and allowed for Tom to get his at home there.
I am sorry to hear that you are not well. Do try and get something to help you. I am well and hearty. Write as soon as you can when you get this. I must close. I remain your husband ever, — George Messer
To Lottie Messer
Sunday evening, December 21st
I shall try and write you a few lines more this evening. Perhaps this may interest you a little. We have drawed a new tent. It is what is called a bell tent. If you will ask Tom, he can describe it to you better than I can. We have a furnace in it about five feet long than runs through to the outside with a chimney to it. We have the top of the furnace covered with sheet iron with holes cut in like a cookstove for the purpose of cooking on. We are fixed very comfortable.
I saw rather a hard-looking sight yesterday evening. There was a lieutenant of the 27th Kentucky Regiment mustered out of service in the wrong way. There was three regiments formed around a square when he was marched to the centre under a guard of six men with fixed bayonets when the Colonel read the order, cut the shoulder straps off, and had him drummed out of camp all for deserting his post when on picket and getting drunk.
You mentioned about William Catterlin going home on a French furlough. He did not. He was sent home on detached service to arrest some deserters. I must close for tonight and go out for roll call at 8 o’clock. The drums are now beating. Good night. I must go.
Monday morning, December 22
A few lines more to you this morning. It has the appearance of being stormy and wet. I can’t think of much more to write about. We have been expecting an attack from some of Morgan’s guerrillas for several days. I don’t think that he will come now for we are well fortified and about four thousand strong — five regiments of infantry and about twelve hundred cavalry. We have two old regiments here that we can depend on in case of an emergency although they only number about four hundred apiece, but they have been tried [in battle].
Wesley [McNulty] is still well and able for his rations.
The people here that is the settlers are about half secesh and half Union. I must close for this time, my darling wife. I would like to be with you & Eddy. Write often. I ever remain your husband, — George Messer
To Lottie Messer
I don’t know how long we sill stay here or where we will have to go when we do leave for I find that soldiering is very uncertain and very often dangerous. But I shall come out all right in the end and return home to a loving wife & child which I long to see, remain with love, and cherish with a free government to live in are my fondest wishes and which I yet hope I may realize.
More anon. — George to Lottie
The Civil War Letters of George Messer 