My Great, Great Grandfather’s Civil War letters show pure human emotion

The atrocities of the Civil War are depicted through books, photos, newspaper headlines, and the journals and letters of those who participated in the bloody battles. There are endless accounts of horrific and cruel deaths as the North and South clashed over what they believed was “freedom.”  However, none of my prior history with this war affected me personally until I discovered my great, great grandfather’s letters.  Even though I taught the Civil War period when I was an elementary teacher, I never focused on a personal account of one soldier. It was always the plight of the group, the North or the South, or individual regiments, battles and leaders.

Finding the letters changed everything.  I now know that this was not a war of sides or divided geography, but rather, this was a war fought by individual men.  Each had his own motivation for serving.  Some were fighting for their rights, their freedom, their divided nation, while others, particularly after the draft, fought to help their families attain land or money, to gain respect for their nationality, or to simply find their way home. Many of those who were conscripted and forced to join the war arrived with no skills or desire to kill for the cause or their divided nation. My ancestor, Florence Burke, was among them. He joined the war in 1864 hoping and praying the war was nearly over. He used the Draft Law to take the place of a wealthy man, and in return he received his own land and one hundred dollars.  Unfortunately, he was sent to Virginia and in the late spring of 1864, some of the bloodiest battles were fought, and he was a soldier forced to kill or be killed. I know he fought to defend himself and return to his family. That was his true motivation, as it was for countless others… His letters tell his story. Here are some excerpts from his letters that give an interesting perspective of one man’s experience as an Irish immigrant farmer turned Union Army soldier.

March 4^th,1864 Camp of the 37^th Regiment

“Dear wife and children,

In earnest I have commenced the life of a soldier. The day after I sent my last letter we were forced to pack for a march.  Some of the boys here are pleased that we’re drawing closer to the battlefields, but I am not…”  “On arrival to camp I found a letter from you containing your well-known features and that of the children. Mingled tears of joy and sadness welled up in my eyes.  Joy at seeing through the medium of a picture the features of those I hold so near and dear to my heart, but sadness to think they were not true nature themselves, that they might speak to cheer my drooping spirits. But thanks be to God the sight of them, though mute shall even be a beacon to urge me on to duty.”

April 13^th,1864  Camp near Brandy Station

“I have gotten to know many of the boys in our Calvary and I dare say we are  nothing but farmers, but all of us have heart and loved ones back home who we hope to reunite with. Ellen, my beautiful wife, please keep good courage, I will return to you.”

April 25^th,1864  Camp of the 3th Regiment

 

“This morning we have orders that all letters must stop for thirty days and it troubles me greatly. We are on the march.  As this may be the last letter you ever get from me I hope Dear Ellen, that you will try and take good care of yourself and the children and may the good God watch over you and them.  If I am doomed to fall on the field of battle and we are destined to never meet again on earth, may we be prepared to meet in heaven.”

  June 11^th,1864 Cold Harbor

“The Confederates are only 100 yards from our entrenchment…” “I can’t describe the fear on this star-filled night, lying here in my filthy trench. There are thousands of men surrounding me. I can hear the enemy when it is quiet, they are praying, singing hymns, and talking quietly just as we are. I often think how foolish and cruel this war truly is, boys and men killing each other so the states may be united. I find myself praying for both sides, praying for their families, praying death comes without suffering. I know the terror of the battlefield has affected my state of mind, but I promise you I will try and defend myself and return home to you.”