Physical Description: 0.02 Linear Feet(1 folder)
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically.
Scope and Contents
This series contains four letters from Pvt. Simon B. Kersteter to his future wife Lucinda M. Bowman and to his mother during
the Civil War. There were two letters written to each, as well as transcriptions created by the donor. Also included in the
collection are two photographs, reprints/modern copies of daguerreotypes of Kersteter and his family, as well as one obituary
for Kerstetter, and one four-page military record for Kersteter.
The first letter was written to his mother and dated October 28, 1864 from Nashville, Tennessee. He informed her of his travels
from Columbus to Cincinnati, Louisville, and then Nashville as their train "pass[ed] through danger." He continued, "The night
we laid in Louisville the Rebels attacked a train of soldiers...wounding some twenty, none killed...if they had attacked us
they would have met with a warm reception." He mentions staying in the house built by Confederate General Felix K. Zollicoffer,
who was killed at the Battle of Mill Springs, his property then confiscated by the Union Army. He closes by mentioning receiving
hymns and testaments from the US Christian Commission.
The second letter was addressed to Lucinda, written in Atlanta, Georgia on November 5, 1864. He repeats the tale of his travels
from Columbus, adding that he met some friends from the 19th Ohio Regiments, the "Gonser Boys and Ike and Flen Hammel," missing
Al Gonser and Christ Forney. The road to Atlanta was more difficult, spanning two days and nights with rain. Their appearance,
dirty and worn down, gave the impression that they were veterans but he admits that they were conscripts, implying his unit
was all drafted. He and his cohort were to be attached to the 78th Ohio, which upon reaching Atlanta was nowhere to be found,
forcing them to search for them.
He goes on to describe Atlanta and the destruction wrought by the war, mentioning "[General William Tecumseh Sherman] is going
to evacuate the place and burn the town." He closes with the excitement of positive war news, with victories and "rebel prisoners
in by hundreds every day."
The third letter was written to his mother near Savannah, Georgia on December 17, 1864. He describes his most recent 400-mile
march through Georgia (Sherman's famous "march to the sea"), mentioning lack of rations, muddy conditions, and fighting the
enemy as they destroyed what they found.
We drove the Rebels before as we went. Tore up railroads, burned their cotton gins and houses, killed their cattle and took
their [enslaved persons] and destroyed every thing within our reach.
He then explains that while writing he was within six miles of the ocean, "having driven the Rebels over 400 miles without
losing a single man in our regiment."
He then describes their camp and its proximity to the Confederate camp, less than a mile, and stealing sweet potatoes from
them while on picket at night and not getting caught but being fired upon as they were walking back to camp in the morning.
He continued and closed his letter,
The balls came flying like everything. We just marched off to camp and never minded them. And in the afternoon of the same
day they commenced shelling us. Throwed shells over in our camp like everything but none done any damage. Our Batteries had
them soon silenced. We have them surrounded and are going to starve them out.
The last letter in the collection was sent to Lucinda the next day, December 18. While still writing from near Savannah, Simon
describes again his latest march, explaining his current position near the Ogeechee River, and going into more detail about
the march itself including daily distances of 15-20 miles, carrying heavy packs, and rations. Claiming "no more about hard
times," he then tells of forming a regiment in battle for the first time and the fear that accompanied that, "...but it was
soon over. By putting my trust in the God of battles." He continued,
We waited a while for an attack but nary rebels came, save only every once a while shell came shrieking through the tops of
the trees tearing off branches. We then marched up right in front of the enemy and every since they have been shelling us
now and then."
He tells the tale of talking with Confederate soldiers when his picket got close to their camp, telling them they were "going
to give them another Vicksburg Scrape." When he returned to camp he saw a friend, David Shultz, with "other boys," and mentions
Fred Rowe before closing the letter.