Civil War Archive Featuring Correspondence of Private Montgomery Hickman, 97th Illinois Volunteers

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• Lot Description

  Lot of 32 war-date letters, including 26 written by Private Montgomery Hickman, Co. I, 97th Illinois Volunteers.

  Private James Montgomery Hickman was an unassuming, but very humorous 44-year-old man. The same day he enlisted in the army, he signed another very important document; a marriage license with Cynthia A Luster. In one of his first letters to his bride he wrote:

  It is just one month today since were married…I cannot help thinking that if I had not turned soldier I might have been with you on this beautiful morning…it would make me very unhappy to think you regretted your hasty match…there are about ten thousand in this camp…there are quite a variety of characters here too-good, bad and indifferent=moral and immoral. We have preaching, speaking, dancing, gambling, drinking & swearing…all at the same time…I do sometimes…swear a little when I get provoked. Our regiment received their arms this morning…we will leave soon for Dixie or some other port…we will likely go to Kentucky (Camp Butler, [Springfield, IL] September 21, 1862).

  The regiment traveled to Kentucky, and the long marches were tiresome. He wrote his wife, I wouldn't mind a bit to stand up all day and shoot at rebels but I don't want to do any more marching than I can help (Falmouth, KY, October 21, 1862). The men tried to remain optimistic, while some regretted their decision to enlist, The camp is full of wild rumors…about peace going to be made which of course is only believed by those homesick persons who haven't the heart or courage to stand up for their country like men, wrote Hickman. I would like to see you very much…but if I wanted to leave the service of my country when she needs my help, as bad as a great many here do, I would deserve to be shot. I never want to see your face against unless I can do so with honor, and I know my little wife is not the one who will encourage her husband to desert (Nicholasville, KY, November 9, 1862).

  Hickman and his regiment moved further south and traveled down the Mississippi River. He finally met the enemy at Vicksburg and described the encounter to his wife:

  [We] have "seen the elephant.” Two weeks ago today our fleet left Memphis with colors flying and went down the river to take Vicksburgh…today they are on their way back in a style that looks very much like a retreat…The fight had been begun before we landed and we could hear cannonading going on all day Sunday. Our regiment was not called on to do anything until Tuesday…we did not do much except to drive in the rebel pickets…we were treated to a shower of bullets and a few shells…close enough to convince us that we came to Mississippi at an unhealthy season…the battles on the left wing of the army was very severe and we have lost some valuable officers and I fear many good men…We were kept in that wet, muddy bottom, on about half rations until Thursday night when the whole army retreated back to the boats…we were glad to "get out of the wilderness…If all or even half the rumors…are true this war is just now commenced and it will not surprise me a bit if I have to serve out my three years. I will do so cheerfully, if necessary, and then go again if they need me though at the same time I do not like soldiering. It is the most abominable dog's life a man ever led (Going Up the Mississippi River, January 4, 1863).

  Hickman was right again. The war was not close to being over and he would have to serve his full term of service. While he equated living as a soldier to life as a dog, his wife questioned the quality of his food and if he was eating healthy. He responded, We have any quantity of 'greens' here and I wish you were here to eat some as I believe women all like such trash. I am sorry to say I care but little about them (Milliken's Bend, LA, March 14, 1863). Also like dogs, he felt soldiering was more about digging than shelling. He wrote to his wife, I have done so much spading on the canal and levee since I have been down in this country that I think I would make a very good gardner. Its dig, dig, all the time and when they can find no work for us…they make us dig holes one day and fill them up the next…our guns are getting rusty but we have mighty bright spades (Milliken's Bend, LA, March 14, 1863).

  The regiment was in danger again, not from bullets, but from a train collision that left many injured. I am pretty much recovered from the bruises I received in the railroad collision…I have been out of the hospital four or five days and am able to do duty again. I am sill sore and a little lame, but it will soon wear off, wrote Hickman (New Orleans, LA, November 16, 1863). Some of his friends; however, suffered more serious injuries including one whom doctors predicted would be lame for the rest of his life.

  Like any woman, Cynthia Hickman wanted a photograph of her husband. Since they married so soon before Hickman left for the front, she most likely did not have any photographs of her beloved. She wrote her husband often, pleading with him to have his photograph taken. He finally consented and sent her his likeness along with some jibes: You have been tormenting me a long time for a true likeness…and now that you have it I hope you will love it…I am pretty sure of one thing. You will never ask for another one…I didn't know I was so ugly before…it would make "Old Abe" feel sorry (New Orleans, LA, December 8, 1863). Cynthia most likely disagreed with her husband and was pleased to receive it.

  Even though he did not enjoy service, Hickman still respected it and recognized its value. I think all good men should support the government more warmly now than at any other time, he wrote. True, there may be speculation and rascality going on among some of those in high places, but the cause is better now than it ever was because nearer the end…I do not expect to reenlist…but I expect to serve out my time…the war will end in another year. I have great faith in Grant and Sherman's final success (Morganza, LA, August 10, 1864).

  Again, Hickman was right to assume the war would be over soon, but not before he faced more action at the Siege of Fort Blakely. He wrote to his wife:

  Our loss in the affair did not exceed ten killed and wounded. The Johnnies had…fifty killed and wounded, among the former Brig. Genl. Clanton…we captured 350 prisoners. We captured two trains of cars on the Mobile & Montgomery Railroad loaded with commissary stores etc and destroyed the road for miles in different places…it was a very successful…expedition…it reflects great credit on Gen. Steele who commands the forces…We are now regularly besieging it…it is Vicksburg over again…a continual clatter of musketry, shot and shell day and night…all the while we are ceaselessly digging, digging, digging them out of their holes. This is the fifth day we have been at it…our advance rifle pits are now within a quarter of a mile of their works. How long it will last I don't know…it is very exciting as well as fatiguing life and tasks a man's endurance (Blakely, AL near Mobile, April 7, 1865).

  Hickman mustered out of service a little over a month later on May 22, 1865. He returned home to his wife, and, despite being middle-aged, the couple had four children together. Additional transcriptions are available at cowans.com.

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  Transcriptions include: 

  Camp Butler, [Springfield, Ill.] Sept. 21, 1862, to his wife, in part: …it is just one month today since were married…I cannot help thinking that if I had not turned soldier I might have been with you on this beautiful morning…it would make me very unhappy to think you regretted your hasty match…there are about ten thousand in this camp…there are quite a variety of characters here too-good, bad and indifferent=moral and immoral. We have preaching, speaking, dancing, gambling, drinking & swearing…all at the same time…I do sometimes…swear a little when I get provoked. Our regiment received their arms this morning…we will leave soon for Dixie or some other port…we will likely go to Kentucky…M. Hickman.

  Falmouth, KY, Oct. 21, 1862, to his wife, in part: …we have been in a very unsettled state ever since we reached Kentucky…moved…to Fort Mitchell where we stayed until last Friday when we left for this place. Falmouth is a small town on the Cincinnati & Lexington Railroad about thirty miles from the former place. We traveled the dirt road which is about forty miles. We did not travel very fast…most of the road being a turnpike made it very hard on us Illinoisians who are not used to stony countries. A great many gave out under the heavy loads…this place, as far as I have seen, is a most horrid country nothing but rocky hills one after another…the people that I have seen are pretty well divided on the war some being for the Union while others are sesesh. The latter…will not own it but they are easily told…I wouldn't mind a bit to stand up all day and shoot at rebels but I don't want to do any more marching than I can help…M. Hickman.

  Nicholasville, KY, Nov. 2, 1862, to his wife, in part: …I am glad he has got through with his tobacco…I am afraid I will have to quit the use of the weed, it has become so dear. It costs me about one dollar a week now and the price is still increasing…Uncle Sam provides very bountifully for his children…as for clothing I have more…than I like to carry…we have been here two days and I think we will start again in the morning…M. Hickman.

  Nicholasville, KY, Nov. 9, 1862, to his wife, in part: …we have been passing the time very quietly since we came to this place…the camp is full of wild rumors…about peace going to be made which of course is only believed by those homesick persons who haven't the heart or courage to stand up for their country like men…I would like to see you very much…but if I wanted to leave the service of my country when she needs my help, as bad as a great many here do, I would deserve to be shot. I never want to see your face against unless I can do so with honor, and I know my little wife is not the one who will encourage her husband to desert…you speak very often as though I might fall or sicken and die and we never be permitted to see each other again…you should not give way to such sad desponding feelings…I would do no such taughty trick under any consideration…M. Hickman.

  Battle of Chickasaw Bluffs Letter

  Going Up the Mississippi River, Jan. 4, 1863, to his wife, in part: …I am happy to inform you that I am still in the land of the living notwithstanding I have been in a small battle…it was hard enough in some parts of the field. We have been to Vicksburgh and have "seen the elephant". Two weeks ago today our fleet left Memphis with colors flying and went down the river to take Vicksburgh…today they are on their way back in a style that looks very much like a retreat. We landed about 10 or 12 miles from the place…the next morning [we] were marched out through a bottom towards the town. The fight had been begun before we landed and we could hear cannonading going on all day Sunday. Our regiment was not called on to do anything until Tuesday…we did not do much except to drive in the rebel pickets…we were treated to a shower of bullets and a few shells…close enough to convince us that we came to Mississippi at an unhealthy season…the battles on the left wing of the army was very severe and we have lost some valuable officers and I fear many good men. The only ones…from Fayette who were killed are Thod. McConkey and Lt. Luke Vance. We were kept in that wet, muddy bottom, on about half rations until Thursday night when the whole army retreated back to the boats…we were glad to "get out of the wilderness"…a good many have got sick from the exposure they under went…you and all others interested in the soldiers may just as well give up the idea of us getting home soon……if all or even half the rumors…are true this war is just now commenced and it will not surprise me a bit if I have to serve out my three years. I will do so cheerfully, if necessary, and then go again if they need me though at the same time I do not like soldiering . It is the most abominable dog's life a man ever led…M. Hickman.

  Milliken's Bend, La., Mar. 14, 1863, to his wife, in part: …we have had to move from our camp opposite Vicksburgh to this place on account of high water. The river was rising so fast that we were about to be drowned out…the weather is getting very warm here and people would be gardening and farming if there were any here to do it…all living…near the river have left long ago. Peach trees have been in bloom…we have any quantity of 'greens' here and I wish you were here to eat some as I believe women all like such trash. I am sorry to say I care but little about them…I have done so much spading on the canal and levee since I have been down in this country that I think I would make a very good gardner. Its dig, dig, all the time and when they can find no work for us…they make us dig holes one day and fill them up the next…our guns are getting rusty but we have mighty bright spades…I keep well…in good spirits while many others who are always fretting and talking about going home are always on the sick lis…there are so many grunting around and playing off…and possuming that if I was really to get sick I would be ashamed to own it. The lazy hounds ought all die or be killed…M. Hickman.

  New Orleans, La., Nov. 16, 1863, to his wife, in part: …it had been on out towards Texas hunting up the regiment…in one of your letters you wished that "Texas expedition was played out." Well, is it played out so far as the Regt. is concerned. I don't know whether it was our good or evil fortune that brought us back; all I know is that our Col. did not get along well with his superior officers and we were finally ordered back to do Provost duty…if we had not come we would have escaped that railroad smash up; and if we had gone on with the expedition we might…have fared worse…we were getting along famously when out in Louisiana living on the fat of the land…I am pretty much recovered from the bruises I received in the railroad collision…I have been out of the hospital four or five days and am able to do duty again. I am sill sore and a little lame, but it will soon wear off. The others who were wounded from our neighborhood are getting along as well as could be expected. Brit. Robinson, Sam, Gerrard and Doc. Wicker are the worst hurt…they will all get well but it will be a long time first. Brit. and Sam have each a leg broken and Doc's feet are mashed. Haigy Wilk, Jim Wicker & Berthard are getting along finely…M. Hickman.

  New Orleans, La., Dec. 8, 1863, to his wife, in part: …Laura said you had told her that Jim Wicker was in St. Louis…that is mistaken. He is here but in the "St. Louis" Hospital. Poor Jim he is a kind o' dilapidated…Doc. Wicker expects to start home in a few days…he had his feet badly mashed and can now barely hobble about. Brit. Robinson [his leg was broken] they say will always be very lame. [All these men were wounded in a train accident.] I hope you will not be frightened when you open this letter and see what is in it…I hear you now exclaim, 'What in the D-l is it!' Don't you think it would be a good thing…to hang up in a cornfield when the crows are bad?…you have been tormenting me a long time for a true likeness…and now that you have it I hope you will love it…I am pretty sure of one thing. You will never ask for another one…I didn't know I was so ugly before…it would make "Old Abe" feel sorry. But, ugly as it is…I sent a copy to a very nice young lady…we soldiers are all in gay spirits upon hearing how old Grant has been putting the rebs through in Georgia but it makes the sesesh here look savage…M. Hickman. Morganza, La., July 31, 1864, to his wife, in part: …instead of going East we came to this place which is about 200 miles from above Orleans just below the mouth of Red River…we…find great difference between this kind of soldiering and the kind we had in the city…I don't know hardly what they brought us here for but suppose it is to fight as the rebs are a few miles out…in the country. There is a large force collecting here…it is very likely we are going up Red River. The 80th Ills. and the 11th Ills. got here…from Vicksburg besides several other Regts…I have seen several of the 8th boys. It is an awful dirty, hot place where we are camped, not a bit or anything of the kind…M. Hickman.

  Morganza, La., Aug. 10, 1864, to his wife, in part: …we are still at this outlandish place…the nights are now cool…but the days are horrible especially when we have to drill six hours a day which is every day…there is getting to be much sickness in the Regt. One man in our company (a new recruit) has died since we have been here…well to tell the truth…I am rather tired of staying away from home so long but I can assure you I am not sick of the cause. On the contrary. I think all good men should support the government more warmly now than at any other time. True, there may be speculation and rascality going on among some of those in high places, but the cause is better now than it ever was because nearer the end…I do not expect to reenlist…but I expect to serve out my time…if the war does not end before and there still be a Union man and a war man…in the service or not…that I think is the way every good soldier feels…the war will end in another year. I have great faith in Grant and Sherman's final success. We have got the official notices of the capture of forts defending Mobile. The news on the whole is favorable for our side…M. Hickman.

  Siege of Fort Blakley, Alabama Letter

  Blakely, Ala. near Mobile, 7th April 1865, to his wife, in part: …the whole distance that we march from Pensacola to where we are now is estimated at over 125 miles…some days we could go four or five miles…at least forty miles of the route had to be "corduroyed" across swamps and mud-holes…we had to cut down trees and lay them across the roads before the teams could pass. The Johnnies did not give us a great deal of trouble except that they burned all the bridges over the rivers and streams…we had to rebuild before we could cross. There were so many small streams and swamps to wade that we were constantly wet…it [also] rained about every other day…we started with…ten days rations. We found…we had been out about a week that we were going to run short…when we got here we were a hungry savage set of devils and did not hesitate to drive the rebs into their fortifications which we did in handsome style. That accomplished it was an easy matter to open communications with Gen. Granger who is besieging the place on the south side (we being on the east and north) and so far as grub is concerned we now fare very well…Pollard, Ala. about 50 miles from here our cavalry and the reb Cav. had quite a fight, but our infantry did not get up until it was all over. Our loss in the affair did not exceed ten killed and wounded. The Johnnies had…fifty killed and wounded, among the former Brig. Genl. Clanton…we captured 350 prisoners. We captured two trains of cars on the Mobile & Montgomery Railroad loaded with commissary stores etc and destroyed the road for miles in different places…it was a very successful…expedition…it reflects great credit on Gen. Steele who commands the forces. We have plenty of work to do here. The rebs force is said to be 5,000 and they are very strongly fortified on the Tensas river in which they have several strong gunboats to back them. This position is one of the keys to Mobile. We have force enough here to take it by storm in 20 minutes but it would cost so many lives…I don't believe we could hold it while their infernal gunboats are in the river. We are now regularly besieging it…it is Vicksburg over again…a continual clatter of musketry, shot and shell day and night…all the while we are ceaselessly digging, digging, digging them out of their holes. This is the fifth day we have been at it…our advance rifle pits are now within a quarter of a mile of their works. How long it will last I don't know…it is very exciting as well as fatiguing life and tasks a man's endurance. Hard work, loss of sleep, exposure etc. already begins to tell and many report to the doctor. I am very well with the exception of a slight cold…M. Hickman.

  Condition

  Most letters are in good condition with typical folds and some toning. Some contain their original envelopes. Some have more damage such as soiling and brittleness but all remain legible. 
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