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COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CIVIL WAR WITH
THE FINEST ORIGINAL SOLDIER'S LETTERS AND ARTIFACTS
This letter written by Lieut. William Gale in Company H of the 57th Illinois Infantry writes an interesting letter on April 12, 1864. He is writing home to his mother and Sister Gale makes some very interesting comments…
· “We have only three regiments of Infantry and 1 battery about 2,000 men not much for a force.
The black Americans the innocent cause of this Rebellion are building a large fort in rear of my
quarters and when it is done it will take four times our number of the southern traitors to drive
us out of it.”
· “The 9th Ill. Vol. had quite a fight here a few days before we arrived we drove out and the Rebs
burned there Quarters. There was lots of dead horses laying around when we got here. There are
other troops stationed along the R.R. Col. Bane commands our Brigade/3rd Brig. 2nd Div. 16th A. C.
Brig. Gen. Sweeny, a one armed Irishman (lost it in Mexican War) disliked by all commands. Our
Div. Brig. Gen. G. M. Dodge, a good General and well liked, commands the Army Corps. Col. Bane
our Brigade Commander has but one arm last the other at Shilo.”
· “Well Mother I judge from your letter that you have made up your mind to give the south this
independence and erase from the flag that now floats in every state of this once glorious union a
few of its starts, this thank god will not be done not a single star will be erased from it though it
costs thousands more lives as it undoubtedly will and I may be among the numbers. It will never
do to give up now. We must whip these traitors and I believe they will be obliged to call themselves
whipped within the next twelve months.”
· “The 17th N.Y. Regiment passed through here a few days since had several fist fights with the
Illinois boys and as I wrote Henry: N.Y. soldiers got whipped of course, I told Henry I presumed
these N.Y. regiments were being sent here to garrison Fort Donnellson, Port Hudson, Vicksburg,
etc. etc. etc. and I expected the western troops would be sent to take Richmond.”
· “April 13th, 1864 –I am yet in command of the company have now been in command about six
months, but get along well. Captain has not heard from his resignation yet. Hope he will soon for
if I am to have command of the company. I must as well have the rank and pay which is $130 per
month. I get now $10 per month extra for commanding the company.”
The letter is three pages in ink with a full I.D. A nice letter for the Illinois collector!
#B39 – Price $125
Transcription:
Head Quarters H. Co. 57th Reg. Ill. Vet. Vol.
April 12th, 1864
Dear Mother and Sister Anna,
Taps have sounded but do not feel like going to bed, so thought I would write to someone, at
first thought I would write to Ella but as I received a letter five days since from you think I will
answer it. Anna you have since you wrote me last improved very much in writing I commenced
to read a few lines then looked to see who was the writer. I am always glad to hear from you.
Suppose you are quite a young lady by this time. Mothers Question. I will answer. You wished
to know how much of a force we have here. We have only three regiments of Infantry and 1
battery about 2,000 men not much for a force. The black Americans the innocent cause of this
Rebellion are building a large fort in rear of my quarters and when it is done it will take four
times our number of the southern traitors to drive us out of it. The 9th Ill. Vol. had quite a fight
here a few days before we arrived we drove out and the Rebs burned there Quarters. There was
lots of dead horses laying around when we got here. There are other troops stationed along the
R.R. Col. Bane commands our Brigade/3rd Brig. 2nd Div. 16th A. C. Brig. Gen. Sweeny, a one
armed Irishman (lost it in Mexican War) disliked by all commands. Our Div. Brig. Gen. G. M.
Dodge, a good General and well liked commands the Army Corps. Col. Bane our Brigade
Commander has but one arm last the other at Shilo. Well Mother I judge from your letter that
you have made up your mind to give the south this independence and erase from the flag that
now floats in every state of this once glorious union a few of its starts, this thank god will not be
done not a single star will be erased from it though it costs thousands more lives as it
undoubtedly will and I may be among the numbers. It will never do to give up now. We must
whip these traitors and I believe they will be obliged to call themselves whipped within the next
twelve months. I wrote a long letter to Henry a few days since don’t know whether he will
receive it or not. The 17th N.Y. Regiment passed through here a few days since had several fist
fights with the Illinois boys and as I wrote Henry: N.Y. soldiers got whipped of course, I told
Henry I presumed these N.Y. regiments were being sent here to garrison Fort Donnellson, Port
Hudson, Vicksburg, etc. etc. etc. and I expected the western troops would be sent to take
Richmond. He I know don’t like to have anything said about Eastern troops (I just write in
that way to see what he will say). I received a letter from Mrs. Waller and one from Harry,
one from Amanda and one from Nan all at the same time but my letter is long enough. I will
stop for tonight. I broke the crystal out of my gold watch today. It is not fit to have in the
army and as it is a watch Mary carried and thought so much of I do not want to part with it
so I think I will the first chance I have send it to Ella and when Ella goes home she may take it
to Amanda and if I am killed Amanda must keep it. I am well hope you are all the same. Please
enquire of Henry whether he received my letter or not. Good night. April 13th, 1864 – Looks like
rain this morning. Will not have much drill today. I am yet in command of the company have
now been in command about six months, but get along well. Captain has not heard from his
resignation yet. Hope he will soon for if I am to have command of the company. I must as well
have the rank and pay which is $130 per month. I get now $10 per month extra for commanding
the company. I have no picket duty to do now days so get plenty of sleep. Hope Ella will and I
am sure she will take an interest in Hart’s children. What has become of Henry Dean who was
in the 11th Ill. Infty. Is he alive yet… I was thinking over who there was now in Mt. Morris that
I would travel 60 miles to see and can think of no one left there that I care much about seeing
only my own folks. If I live through this war I will come home and stay a day or two. I hope to
hear from you soon. Send Rochester paper once in awhile. You need not send the Copperhead
sheet any more the Union (so called).
I am Respectfully,
Your Obdt. Servt.
William Gale
Lieut. 57th Ill. V. Vol.
Comdg. Co. “H”
Mother and Anna
