Letter No. XXVII.
Camp near Morristown,
December 25th, 1863.
My Precious Wife:
My first word to-day shall be to you and my little darlings. A merry Christinas to you, and may God grant us a happy reunion and many pleasant hours ere another twelve months passes by. I shall leave you now and see what a Christmas our soldiers are enjoying with their bare feet and ragged clothes.
December 26th: Well, I had a piece of fried chicken for breakfast, but no bread; but in passing through the regiment found Bennett Wood (brother of Aaron) and his mess had made big hominy, besides having obtained some fresh pork and pure coffee (the latter captured from Yanks). I breakfasted with them and discussed the prospects of getting home this winter and having our Christmas after awhile, as the rumor still floats that we will be sent across the Mississippi this winter. From our regiment I went over to Jenkins’ brigade to see Jim Whitner, my old college class-mate. He had succeeded in getting two eggs, and Henry, who is on the general’s staff, had sent him some brandy. We made a “tom-and-jerry,” and enjoyed it very much while we talked over old college days and of friends who have passed to their last account. They were busy as we were in building winter quarters, but Jim insisted on my coming over to dine to-day, which I did, and have just returned. We had a first-rate chicken pie for dinner, backed by genuine coffee sent from home. Was not that glorious for a soldier? What better could he have, unless he was at home with a sweet wife and obedient children?
Sunday, December 27th: The axes still ring busily chopping logs and splitting boards for cabins, as it is said we will be here two months yet, if the Yanks do not run us off. Be cheerful, keep your Latin and music and the little school moving on. It may be a blessing to you some dark day. Trust in God and keep your (powder dry) courage up.
Your husband, faithfully ever,
John C. West.
27th. A rainy unpleasant day. A negro came into the lines giving news, making an attack on the rebels expedient. Wrote a line more in F’s letter. Were out all the P. M.—most of the fighting on horseback. Some artillery firing. Drove the rebs beyond “Talbot Station.” Regiments lay in line saddled, our brigade in a piece of woods. Lay upon a couple of rails with saddle blanket comfortably. Rained some all night.
Sunday. 27th—I was again on provost patrol in the city, and with two others was assigned to the mule corral, the meanest place one could possibly be stationed at; for all we had to do was to see that the four mules penned up there did not kick down the fence.
Sunday, 27th.—Examining vaccination marks; small-pox in army.
Sunday, December 27.—Mr. Moore had service in one of the wards, and preached a very good sermon. He is a great favorite with the men.
We had one man die yesterday; another is dying to-day. It is bitter cold, and pouring down rain.
Sunday Decr 27th 1863
Congress has adjourned over until the 5th of Jan’y and many of the Members have gone home to spend the Holydays. Christmas has passed off pleasantly. It was a beautiful bright day on Friday and appeared to be enjoyed by all Classes. I walked up to the Capitol in the forenoon to take a look at the East front. The North Wing East Portico is approaching completion and when finished will be a splendid sight. I should perhaps say when the whole East front is completed, as the South wing is to be finished in the same style, and then it is proposed to remove the old East Portico of the Main building and replace it with one projecting forward on a line with the Wings and in the same Style of Architecture. When that is done the East Front will be truly Magnificent. The Dome is nearly finished (outside). The workmen are now removing the scaffolding around the figure of Freedom which surmounts it. The head and shoulders as I can see from my window now project above the scaffold. This week it will all be removed. The great Bronze Door betwen the old chamber and the new “House” Chamber attracts much attention as a work of Art, it is unsurpassed of its kind.
I made several “calls” on Christmas day but felt rather lonely withall. Julia is at Fort Simmons still staying with Mis Col Welling & Daughter. I spent the evening at my son Chas playing Chess with him. Mr Woodward was in their room part of the evening. “Egg Nog” and cake was plenty. We had a fine Christmas dinner at my boarding house, Dr Munsons. I ought to say my dining house as I only take my dinner there. I breakfast where I room. One of my old friends of the Patent office, Mr Strother, called upon me yesterday at the office. He has just returned from Idaho where he has been mining the past year in the mountains, spending most of his time at “Virginia City.” He gives glowing accounts of the gold resources of that region. Were I a few years younger I should be disposed to go back with him in the spring. This is a rainy sunday and I have not been out to church this morning. This afternoon I must visit the Stanton Hospital. I am sorry I did not do so on Christmas, as Mr Stanton (the Secy of War) was there and I would have brot John Peters to his notice and got an order from him to allow of his being mustered as an officer.
Yesterday Julia and Miss Jamie Welling came down to the City from the Fort in the Fort Ambulance and poped into my room in the Pat office about noon. Julia had picked up a pet on the way in the shape of a large Newfoundland dog who she said “put his paws on the steps of the Carriage and asked to ride looking very tired.” They took him in and he was quietly sitting in the Ambulance when I waited on them on their departure. When Julia sat down the dog laid his head on her lap as though she had been his best friend looking up into her face and probably wishing to say, “I am truly grateful for your kindness and wish to be your attendent and defender as long as I live.” He was a noble looking fellow but belonged in Georgetown and had strayed from his master who has probably recovered him before this as the girls intended to leave him in G. on their return. Julia only staid in Washington a few minutes, only long enough to call upon me and thank me for her Christmas present which I sent her on that day, a little tortoise shell box to put her breast pin and earrings in.
Larkinsville, Sunday, Dec. 27. Rain, rain, all last night, and to-day I was on guard. Stood with toothache and swollen right side of face in no pleasant mood. Felt cross and lonesome. Foragers sent after corn. Returned with plenty of fresh meat, etc. Larkinsville is situated in a very fertile valley, and citizens well disposed and loyal. Forty miles east of Huntsville, twenty-two west of Stevenson and two hundred twenty-six east of Memphis. 3rd Brigade and 12th Battery busy at work hauling stones, timber, etc. for winter quarters.
Unidentified soldiers in Union uniforms and infantry Company B Hardee hats; soldier on left holds fife and soldier on right wears locket and key around his neck.
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Close-up crops:
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sixth-plate tintype, hand-colored ; 12.4 x 11.1 cm (frame)
Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs; Ambrotype/Tintype photograph filing series; Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.
Record page for image is here.
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Note – This image has been digitally adjusted for one or more of the following:
- fade correction,
- color, contrast, and/or saturation enhancement
- selected spot and/or scratch removal
- cropped for composition and/or to accentuate subject matter
- straighten image
Civil War Portrait 109
by John Beauchamp Jones
DECEMBER 27TH.—From Charleston we learn that on Christmas night the enemy’s shells destroyed a number of buildings. It is raining to-day: better than snow.
To-day, Sunday, Mr. Hunter is locked up with Mr. Seddon, at the war office. No doubt he is endeavoring to persuade the Secretary not to relinquish office. Mr. S. is the only Secretary of War over whom Mr. Hunter could ever exercise a wholesome influence. Mr. Stephens, the Vice-President, is still absent; and Mr. H. is president of the Senate.
Mr. Hunter is also a member of the Committee on Finance, and the protracted consultations may refer mainly to that subject—and a difficult one it is. Besides, if this revolution be doomed by Providence to failure, Mr. Hunter would be the most potent negotiator in the business of reconstruction. He has great interests at stake, and would save his property—and of course his life.
Another letter from Gov. Vance demands the return of some 300 bales of cotton loaned the Confederate States. He likewise applies for the extension of a detail of a North Carolina soldier, “for satisfactory reasons.”
December 27. — General McPherson, from his headquarters, Seventeenth army corps, at Vicksburgh, Miss., issued the following circular: “The following named persons: Miss Kate Barnett, Miss Ella Barrett, Miss Laura Latham, Miss Ellen Martin, and Mrs. Moore, having acted disrespectfully towards the President and Government of the United States, and having insulted officers, soldiers, and loyal citizens of the United States who had assembled at the Episcopal church in Vicksburgh, on Christmas-day, for divine service, by abruptly leaving said church at that point in the service where the President of the United States and all others in authority are prayed for, are hereby banished, and will leave the Federal lines within forty-eight hours, under penalty of imprisonment.
“Hereafter all persons, male or female, who by word or deed or by implication, do insult or show disrespect to the President, the Government, or the flag of the United States, or to any officer or soldier of the United States upon matters of a national character, shall be fined, banished, or imprisoned, according to the grossness of the offence.”
