These letters were written by George Washington Fawcett (1837-1912) of Salem, Columbiana county, Ohio. George was the son of Samuel Sharp Fawcett (1812-1906) and Hanna Elizabeth Harland (1820-1860). George served for three months in the 19th Ohio early in the war and then re-enlisted for three years in Co. I, 1st Ohio Infantry. After the war, he returned to Ohio to marry Nannie Marshall and moved to Kansas for a time before moving back to Columbiana county, Ohio.
George wrote the letters to Clara L. Strieby (1832-Aft1875) of Council Grove, Morris county, Kansas. In 1865, Carrie was still single and living with her younger brother, Christopher Henry Strieby (1836-1917)—a blacksmith. Carrie was born and raised in Darlington, Beaver county, PA—the daughter of Samuel Henry Strieby (1803-1847) and Rebecca Cook (1800-1857). She also lived in Salem, Columbiana county, Ohio.
Letter 1
Postmarked Nashville, Tennessee
Camp Boiling Fork, Franklin county, Tennessee
August 5, 1862
Friend Clara,
Yours of July 11th was received the other day and you may rest assured that it was perused with much interest. For a long while we had been—as it were—shut out from the balance of the world without either a mail, newspaper, or any news whatever save camp rumors which are as a general thing very ridiculous and not much to be depended upon. But the other day a train did finally get through from Nashville and the glad tidings was revealed to us that this railroad was open through from Nashville to Stephenson—a distance of 120 miles. But this was not all the joy. A large mail for Company I produced some smiling countenances and your humble servant was the recipient of no less than four letters and several papers, one of which was from your good self. So you may judge that I felt right good and that night I slept sound and had pleasant dreams of friends in the far distant west & of dear ones at home—a sister whom I so dearly love and who expected or hoped that the war would be over before this, was disappointed in not having me home by the 4th of July. Why Clara, if I get home by the next fourth of July, I shall feel thankful. I do not see as there is any prospect of the war ending yet. Indeed, things look more gloomy to me now than they did 10 months ago. We have gained a great amount of territory, but we have got as much or more than we can hold.
The rebels are now all around us and if they should make a dash into our camp today, I would not be a bit surprised. We are looking for them and more than half of our regiment are now out building fortifications. If they do come, we will give them a warm reception and they will get the best we have got in our cartridge boxes. We are encamped in a very pleasant grove near Boiling Fork—a small creek which supplies our camp with an abundance of the best of water. We are guarding a bridge which we have rebuilt across the creek since we came here. We arrived here on the 8th of July. Came by way of railroad from Huntsville. Our train was the first one on the road for over 5 miles as the rebels destroyed all the bridges on the road last spring when they retreated from Nashville. We have now go the road in running order.
We are distant from Nashville about 87 miles south and 30 north of Stephenson and about 35 or 40 from Chattanooga. We are only a few miles north of the line between Alabama and Tennessee. There is a range of the Cumberland Mountains here through which the railroad crosses by way of a long tunnel. We are encamped at the foot of the mountain about 2 miles from the tunnel.
When I last wrote you we were at Florence which is over 150 miles from here. We had some hard marches after that beneath the rays of a hot Alabama sun. And you better believe we felt glad when we arrived at Huntsville and were favored with a ride on the cars. The balance of the division were not thus favored as they had to walk through to Stephenson. Since we have been here, we have been rather short of rations for a long while. We were one-fourth rations and some of the time without any at all from Uncle Sam. But we made it a point to visit some of the neighborhood plantations very frequently and the potato patches, hen roosts, orchards and such like had to yield to our wants.
I have been in the service over one year but I have never taken anything of much importance without paying for it—till of late. But lately since the rebs have been playing the mischief so and trying to cut off our supplies, I have just come to the conclusion there is no harm in making the prominent secessionist in the neighborhood respond to our wants. This rather a rich part of the country and there are quite a number of very good plantations near our camp. I have been out several times after provisions. I first go and ask for what I want and if they do not give it, I sometimes take it anyhow. We were out of bread for several days and we were bound to have something to eat or else starve so 8 of our mess went out after potatoes. We found an old planter who gave us enough to fill our haversacks and while 6 of us were in the garden digging, then two others of our mess were skylarking around the premises to see if they could find another patch and they engaged the old planter in conversation while the other two boys filled a 2-bushel bag.
Since our arrival here I have had several tramps up on the mountains and have visited quite a number of very wild and dangerous places. But I am always in my element while clambering over rocks, penetrating caverns, and visiting such wild places. But I must now tell you about what a beautiful cave there is on the mountain side about 1½ miles from our camp. We heard of this cave shortly after our arrival here. Also heard that there was a band of bushwhackers concealed in the cave. So our captain with our entire company went out on a scout to the cave. After a long search, we found it but would not if we had not went and got a negro slave to show us the place. There is no road or even a path leading to it. The entrance of the cave is very small—not more than large enough to crawl in at. We did not see any outward signs of rebels so we had no fears on entering. We left a strong guard on the outside while about 20 of us provided ourselves with hickory torches and entered. After crawling on our hands and knees for several hundred feet, we came out into a large room which was at least 60 feet from floor to ceiling and several hundred feet in length and width. I was perfectly enraptured with awe at its beauty and grandeur. The ceiling and walls resembled the most magnificent fresco painting, which reminded me of the audience room of the M. E. Church in Salem—only it was far more grand. The ceiling was covered with formations which resembled icicles in shape. Those were of various sizes from 3 inches to 3 and 4 feet in length—the points of which are covered with a white substance resembling snow. This reflecting in the torchlight was magnificently grand. We found several springs of the purest crystal water. There were many side caverns that we did not enter but doubtless the cave is miles in extent. I have made two visits to the cave and am now ready for the third visit. I was there one day with our chaplain. He says it exceeds the Mammoth Cath in beauty.
We have captured several bushwhackers since we have been here. One boy belonging to our company was shot at the other day while on picket. I like our present camp very much, it being so near the mountains. The weather as a general thing is very pleasant. There is an abundance of apples & peaches which are now ripe.
The health of our regiment is remarkably good. Two of our company there were wounded at Shiloh have again rejoined us in camp nearly as sound as ever. One of them will be a little lame probably for life yet he is of the right grit and he wants to get a chance at them again. Steph. Talcott has again rejoined us after being home on furlough about 3 months. My right hand man, Joe T., is all right. Him and I have got us a very nice bough house made with a good bed in it and everything fixed to suit our fancy. Call around and see us.
Well, Car, I have not told you half as much as I thought I would when I commenced but I will have to close. We are all enjoying camp life hugely. My health was never better. Soldiering is a luxury while we are laying in camp as we are at present.
So it is the white Injins you are afraid of now? I should judge from what you say that they need civilizing—a portion of them at least. Your letter was full of interest and just such a one as a soldier loves to receive. You need have no fears about not interesting me. I remember our friend Alex Taylor. I trust he is not badly wounded.
The late call for 300,000 more troops will either bring out a good many cowards or else they will be drafted. There is considerable of talk about drafting now about home.
I have not seen or heard from Br. Hale since I wrote you before but I learn that Woods’ Division is on the railroad between us and Nashville. Talcott saw Br. Hudson on the train the other day as the cars passed but he did not get to speak to him. We still have some very spiritual prayer meetings. I could appreciate a good class meeting once more. I trust that my heart will remain fixed and that my faith may never waiver.
Write me soon as you can. I remain as ever your friend truly, — G. W. Fawcett
Direct On the line of the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, Cowan Station, Tennessee
Stephen sends his respects & says he is a going to emigrate to Kansas after the war is over and Fawcett is a going along.
Letter 2
[Note: The following letter was transcribed by Stacy Cookenour; edited by Griff.]
Lenoir, East Tennessee
February 9th, 1864
Mrs. C. L. Strieby, Esteemed Friend,
Your ever good & anxiously looked for letter is now before me. It was received in today’s mail. It is with pleasure I seat myself for the purpose of answering, for it is indeed a fact that I can enjoy myself better conversing with an old friend than in any other way. But I would much rather converse with you without the pen but am thankful for even this privilege. If I [am] ever deprived of the use of the pen, gloomy indeed would camp life be to me. I have often wondered how some of the soldiers that never get letters can enjoy themselves as well as they do. But I have taken notice that such spend much of their time in playing cards and gambling.
I think if I remember right, we were at Blains Crossroads when I last wrote you. Shortly after that we received orders to cross the Holston River and to advance to Dandridge which is about 40 miles northeast of Knoxville. We remained at Dandridge 2 days having a severe fight with the enemy. Our regiment was engaged and suffered a loss of one or two killed and several wounded. None of our company hurt. We made a hasty retreat from Dandridge, falling back upon Knoxville, the enemy closely following. We lost a number of wagons on the retreat, which were burned to keep them from doing the enemy any good. The roads were miserable, snow upon the ground and weather quite cold. To sum it all up, we have been having the hardest campaign this winter we have ever had.
Ever since we left Chattanooga we have been almost totally isolated from the world. Letters from home & friends were phantoms that haunted our rear but seldom visited our front in palpable shape and newspapers were among the things of the past. We were blissfully ignorant of what was transpiring in the outside world. But I am glad that the light from America is now beginning to dawn in upon us. A mail is received about once a week & Nashville, Louisville, & Cincinnati papers reach us a week after date.
We are now encamped in a very pleasant locality near the Tennessee River and on the East Tenn. & VA R.R., 24 miles southwest of Knoxville. Three small steamboats ply on the river between this & Chattanooga—a distance of near 200 miles by the winding course of the river. A large force is employed working on the railroads between this and Chattanooga and it is to be hoped that the cars will soon be running from Nashville to East Tennessee, which will soon put our army beyond want. At present—and in fact for months—we have been illy supplied with clothes and food although I see it stated by newspaper correspondents that our army is plentifully supplied, which is far from being true. General Officers & newspaper scribblers may get plenty to eat and wear, but the boys that do the work and obey their bidding know well what it is to go hungry and ill clad.
We have had some very cold weather for this climate—the natives say colder than it had been for over 10 years. But I dread the wet, disagreeable weather of spring more than the cold weather. At present we are having beautiful weather—more like May than winter. We still continue to draw rations of corn meal and are becoming quite proficient in the art of baking corn cakes & dodgers. Oh you wished that I could be with you and help eat roast turkey. Well, I wish I could. I think I could enjoy a feast of that kind at your table hugely. I have had the pleasure of sitting down at the table of some of the best Union people that ever lived since we have been in East Tennessee. There are many that will share the last bite of food they have got about the home with a Union soldier. I love to go out through the country and see those people. The most of them are always glad to see us. They are mostly poor farmers living in log homes but their hearts are large & ever true to the Union.
Be sure to write soon & often. I am always glad to hear from you. I remain your true friend, — G. W. Fawcett Co. I., 1st Regt. O. V. I., Hagen’s Brig. Good’s Div. , 4th A. C., Near Knoxville, Tenn.
P. S. Remember me kindly to your brother
Letter 3
[Note: The following is only a partial letter that was originally part of a letter probably datelined from someplace in Georgia in late May, 1864.]
[Addressed to Clara Strieby, Council Grove, Kansas]
None of our Salem boys in our company have been wounded during this campaign but in fact there is but few of us from Salem now here. Our time will be out on the 17th of August, but we know not who of us will be permitted to return home at that time. The campaign yet before us may send many of us to our last resting place on earth. As for myself, I will try and be reconciled to God’s holy will. I know that I can trust no truer friend in the hour of danger & if I should fall, I have faith to believe that all will be well.
“Our time will be out on the 17th of August, but we know not who of us will be permitted to return home at that time. The campaign yet before us may send any of us to our last resting place on earth.”
—George W. Fawcett, Co. I, 1st OVI, 9 February 1864
You can tell Carrie Wright that Mr. [Ebenezer] Clark is wounded. 1 He was wounded at the Battle of Resaca May 14th in the foot. The letter she wrote him came to the regiment a few days ago. I do not know where he has been sent to but as soon as i can learn where he is, I will send his letter to him. I do not think his wound will prove a very severe one. He will probably lose some of his toes.
I will sed my respects to all the girls in the Grove which of course will include Carrie. And don’t forget to kiss Bettie for me. I hope that you may be successful with your picnic. I should like to be with you. I trust that if you get to go to Leavenworth that you may have a pleasant time & if you see Ben Mitchell, be sure and remember me to him & wife. I do not know that I have got any relatives living at Emporia but I have got so many relatives that such a thing is not at all impossible. I will have to stop and see when I go to Kansas, if I go. You speaking about having a Teacher’s Institute at the Grove is proof to me that there is the right kind of people there. But Clara, I will have to stop. I hope that this poor letter will be excused this time. And if I am spared to write you another, I hope I will be so situated that I can write without hearing the enemy’s balls zip over my head. Some of them have come very close to me while I have been writing this letter. Heavy skirmishing all along our front today, I shall look for some hard fighting before many days.
Well, Clara, if you cannot read this letter, remember that it is from a soldier & answer soon. May I ever have the honor to remember a true friend, — G. W. Fawcett
1 Ebenezer Clark served in Co. I, 1st Ohio Infantry. He enlisted for three years at the age of 24 on 5 January 1864 and was transferred to Co. G, 18th OVVI on 20 October 1864.
Letter 4
Bivouac Southside of Chattahoochee River
Ten miles from Atlanta, Georgia
July 18, 1864
Miss C. L. Strieby
Respected Friend,
Your ever welcome favor of date June 27th is now before me. Came to hand a few days ago. I lift the pen for the purpose of answering which is indeed a great pleasure to me.
The campaign of the past two months & over has been one of unceasing toil & fatigue but when a leisure moment is to be found, I can spend it in conversing with friends more pleasantly than in any other manner. Now I will not weary you with a description of what our army has been doing for this you have already been furnished or have read in the daily prints. A brief account of the part that our old regiment has acted may be of some interest.
We have been in the front facing the enemy every day & scarcely a day has passed without us hearing the zip of minié balls or screeching shells in our midst. But our losses since I last wrote you in our regiment has not been very heavy. 125 men will cover the entire loss during this campaign. We now number but little over one hundred men—fighting men. The enemy opened a battery upon our camp on the evening of the 9th inst. Shells and pieces of shells flew thick and fast for awhile, many of them passing through our shelter tents. Several of our regiment were wounded—two of them mortally & died in a short time.
I have not been feeling very well during the past month But at present I am feeling quite well. I think that the hot weather is one cause of my illness. Oh I must tell you that I had a good visit from Andrew Gailey today. He spent several hours with me & you better believe that they were hours of pleasure. Bro. Gailey is one of my best friends. He tells me that they have not heard from Joe F. since in February last. I told you in my last that I thought that he was exchanged but it seems not to be the case. I hope, however, that he is yet living & will soon be exchanged. Gailey is looking well & stands the service much better than I ever expected that he would. He wished to be remembered to you when I wrote.
Oh, I had the pleasure of forming the acquaintance of Jimmy Rawlinson 1 of the 8th Kansas Regt. a few weeks ago. He hunted me up as soon as they arrived to the front. They belong to the 1st Brigade of our Division & we will be close together most of the time. I was very glad to make his acquaintance & we will be good friends. He wished to be remembered to you when I wrote. “Call,” shall I tell you what he said about you? Don’t feel yourself flattered but he said that he thought you was just one of the best ladies that could be found anywhere. Now I think that is saying a good bit—especially when it comes from a young man of his standing.
I was sorry to hear of the death of my old friend Will Youts. 2 Tell Carrie that I have just received a letter from Mr. Clark. 3 He is in a hospital at Louisville, Kentucky. His wound is much more serious than we supposed. There is now danger of his losing his foot entirely if not his life. A great many of our wounded of late are dying of slight wounds. It seems as though a wound is certain death. Our Division has lost more than any other from wounds.
Well Call, I don’t know how much longer we will be in the front, but not longer than 2 months more. May of us may find a discharge at the hands of the enemy before that time, but we are not gloomy or down in spirits. I don’t suppose we are half as sick of soldiering or homesick as some of the 100-day men. I think we will hardly see home till in September & we will be thankful if we get home then.
July 15th. Our Regiment had to go on picket & I did not get this mailed yesterday. We find the enemy close to our front—considerable skirmishing between our pickets. We had a very hard storm last night—rain, wind, thunder and lightning. Our army is getting across the river. We will probably move on Atlanta (& take it if we can) in a few days.
So Lilly Flitcraft is married at last. My best wishes are for their happiness. I always thought Morgan Wood was good enough for anybody. 4
But for the want of time I must close this scribble but in fact I am not half done talking to you. Other duties now call me. Remember me to all friends if I have any in Kansas. Write soon & believe me your true friend, — George
1 James Rawlinson served in Co. E, 8th Kansas Infantry. He was from Council Grove, Kansas. He enlisted in September 1861 and reenlisted as a veteran in 1864.
2 Corp. William A. Youts (1840-1864) of Boalsburg, Centre county, Pennsylvania, served I Co. G, 49th Pennsylvania Infantry. He was killed on the skirmish line at Spotsylvania, Virginia, on 10 May 1864.
3 Ebenezer Clark served in Co. I, 1st Ohio Infantry. He enlisted for three years at the age of 24 on 5 January 1864 and was transferred to Co. G, 18th OVVI on 20 October 1864.
4 Ezra “Morgan” Wood (1838-1912) married Lilly M. M. Flitcraft (1834-1911) in Columbiana county, Ohio, on 19 May 1864. Morgan was a clergyman.
Spared & Shared 16 
One thought on “1862-64: George Washington Fawcett to Clara Lucretia Strieby”