Civil War Correspondence from the Carnahan Family of Indiana County, Pennsylvania

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• Lot Description

  Lot features 38 war-date letters, including:

  19 war-date letters by Private John R. Carnahan, Co. K,  67th Pennsylvania Volunteers.; 7 war-date letters by Musician James C. Carnahan 78th PA Volunteers, who died in early 1863, including January 11, 1863 letter with battle content; 7 war-date soldier's letters concerning James' death, several by Musician Samuel Fleming, 78th PA and others from the 78th; 3 additional war-date letters by Samuel Fleming; 2 war-date letters by Private John S. Fleming, Co. K, 67th PA; war-date military letter by Musician Robert B. Carroll, 40th PA Volunteers; 2 1865 Iowa frontier letters with good content; and much more war-date and post-war family correspondence.

  John R. Carnahan enlisted in the army on October 29, 1862 and mustered into the 67^th Pennsylvania Infantry, Co. H, two months after his brother James joined as a drummer in the 78^th Pennsylvania Infantry.  The brothers faced some fierce fighting, but only one would survive. John wrote his father, was very sorry to her the death of James I thought when he had escaped the bullet of that hard battle [Stones River] that he was safe ([Harpers Ferry, VA], February 27, 1863). James succumbed to disease at Stone’s River on February 11, 1863. His family was unable to retrieve his body so his bones remained near the battlefield.  

  John continued to fight on, but more for the cause of his country than slavery. He wrote, For my part I would care [less] whare slavery was if the war was over (December 11, 1863). Despite the carnage he experienced at the Battle of Winchester, where the Rebels captured all except about 75 men of the command in his regiment, Carnahan believed that Fredericksburg was the worse he ever faced. He explained:

  We crossed the Rapidan river and there we met the enemy watching to give us battle and we had [the] most desperate fighting ever the world knew. We fought them 8 days and drove them back about fifteen miles. I was…detailed to take off wounded which we got a great many of them. We lost a great many men but they lost more and now our army [is] as strong as when we crossed the river and I think that will end [the] war now (Fredericksburg, May 18, 1864).

  The war; however, was far from over and so was its destructive power. While traveling through Virginia, Carnahan noted, this is a beautiful valley and good ground but the army destroys everything [that] comes before them. I do not like to see them burning grain stacks and barns, but they will do it (Camp near Berryville, September 4, 1864). His friend and fellow soldier, John S. Fleming, felt the same way. He wrote to Carnahan’s father:

  You cant imagine what a dreary…desolate region of country this is. You might travel…and not see as many rails as would fence a potato patch and very few houses. What few thare is we have to feed thare wives and children while the husband and father is in armies against us. It seems a little hard but it would not be Christian like to let them starve (Head Quarters Co. K, 67th PA Volunteers, March 5, 1864).

  Despite the South’s desperate circumstances at home and on the picket line, the Confederacy continued to fight with tenacity. The promise of a short war no longer seemed feasible to Carnahan. He wrote, the taking of Atlanta will be a pretty hard stroke on the rebs but still they continue to fight. I am afraid it is going to take us a long time yet to get the South whipped (Camp near Berryville, September 4, 1864). Eager to see the end of the war, he was determined to cast his vote for George McClellan over Lincoln (Camp near Berryville, September 4, 1864). Other soldiers did not agree with him and voted to keep Lincoln in office.

  Carnahan mustered out of service at Washington, DC on July 14, 1865 and returned home to his incomplete family.

  Also included in the lot are letters addressed to Carnahan’s brother James from his friend, Samuel Fleming of the 78th PA Infantry, Co. A. Like James, Samuel was also a drummer and wrote about drumming out a soldier who refused to take an Oath of Allegiance, his equipment, and other common soldier topics. Refer to cowans.com for transcriptions of additional letters included in the archive.

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  Transcriptions include:

  Pvt. John R. Carnahan, Co. K, 67th Penn. Vols.

  [N. P., but Annapolis], Nov. 27, 1862, in part: …we'll was at church today…I heard a very good discourse but the prays of M. C. is for peace bit you no nothing of wor…if you wore her you would see the horror of this place. They bring sick and wounded and paroled prisoners but some of them lookes very well…our regiment is healthy and we have nothing much to due and get along ver well…we get good boarding…John R. Carnahan…

  [N. P., but Harpers Ferry], Feb. 5, 1863, to his soldier brother Drummer James C. Carnahan died of disease within a month of this letter being written while a member of the 78th Penn. Vols., in part: …we left Annapolis on Tuesday…to go to Harpers Ferry…we are quartered in a large brick house…this is a nice place but [the] town [is] burnt [and] shelled nearly all to pieces…we halve got a splendid regiment. Thare is about 975 men in it. The location of the place is very pleasant and nature has made it very strong and art has done and is doing her part…if the Rebels comes here they will meet a very warm reception. More so when Col. Miles was thare…there is about 7 or 8 thousand men in the different camps about here. There is lots of the Indiana [County] boys here in the 14th [Penn.] Cavalry…there is a report that we are going away in a few days but it is only [a] report and that is not to be relied on…but I suppose you understand camp stories as well as I do…John C. Carnahan…Pvt. John R. Carnahan, Co. K, 67th Penn. Vols.

  Harpers Ferry, Va., Feb. 7, 1863, to his father, in part: …we left Annapolis on the evening of the 3 and arrived here…after about 20 hours ride on the cars…we have the reputation of being the best and hardest regiment at this place…there is some dozen of them here. There is some of the highest kinds of hills in this place and…by the appearance of the country…five thousand men could hold the place against 25,000…you can se camps on all the hills around this place and you can see the affects of the war here in earnest. We are in sight of the battle ground whare Old Miles surrendered his men to the Rebels. The way that we git our wood…is to go and tare down a house and then all hands goes in and carries it off to thare camp. The most of the people in this place [has] left for the south and north as they thought best…all the government property is burnt and it looks very desolate indeed. The 14th [Penn.] Cavalry are quartered here and thare is a lot of them goes out everyday on a scout…they catch some of Rebels sometimes. Night before last there was one of our pickets shot by some of the Rebel scouts and they say the rebel pickets and ours are fighting at Winchester every day. I got a letter from James…he was well [Drummer James C. Carnahan 78th Penn. Vols. will die within several days]…we are quartered in a good brick house. We are up stairs in the front parlor but we have no chairs or anything to sit on but our knapsacks…it was a splendid sight to see our regiment crossing the pontoon bridge at the old ferry…when we git on a scout or two we will let you know…John R. Carnahan…Harpers Ferry, Virginia, 67 regt. P. V. Company K.

  [Harpers Ferry, Va.], Feb. 27, 1863, to his father, in part: …I received your kind letter on the 26 and was very sorry to her the death of James [his brother Drummer James C. Carnahan 78th Penn. Vols.] I thought when he had escaped the bullet of that hard battle [Stones River] that he was safe…I trust that he is gone to deal with Jesus on high and left this world of sin and sorrow…we see what the lord has done. He has give us warning to be…ready. It is but a moment to. We all leave this world to join our friends above…well now I will leave these things with [the] lord…let us trust in the lord…well [I] must tell you how e git along yesterday. We were out on picket and we came in this morning. When we go out on picket the whole company go out and stay out 24 hours then five of us go out and walk a count a mile and back again. Then five more men will go out…and so on till the whole Co. has gone round…we are still quartered in a house…let me know what you can find out about James death for when I got that letter of yours there was something told me that all was not well…John R. Carnahan…

  Harpers Ferry, Va., Mar. 24, 1863, to his father, in part: …we have made 2 very hard marches to Winchester and back…we went down to Winchester to reinforce General Milroy while the Virginia troops went home to vote and as soon as they came back…we started back to the Ferry. The whole of the 9 army chore went through this place this week. They are going down to Tennessee…to reinforce Rosecrans…they will soon put a stop to the war. We made a forced march both ways and I think that our old colonel would kill any set of men if he had much marching to do if he was the chief commander. There was one Maryland regiment along with us all the time. We stopped at the town [Charlestown, Va.] that John Brown was hung at. They are all secesh and our boys used them as such. They took all the turkey and chickens and ducks that they could find…and they killed one calf but it was too poor to use…so they let it lay. The place is a very nice place. It is not much destroyed yet but I think if the 67th was thare awhile it would have to make some fence anyhow we got our breakfast there and we went to work on a post and board fence…to make a fire. Our chaplain and John Fleming was pulling out a post and they was jerking it very hard and it hit John Fleming on the head and made him reel round like a chicken with its head cut off…marching is not what it is cracked up to be. It makes a man very tired to carry one of Uncle Sams cooking stoves on his back all day…at Winchester salt is 30 dollars pr sack, potatoes is 6 dollar pr bushel. Coffee cant be had at any price and all other things are in proportion…the secesh women will come to our cook houses and take the coffee grounds after we have drunk the coffee off them and boil them over again…they cant buy anything without a written permit from General Milroy and then they must buy from our sutlers for nobody…has things to sell…John R. Carnahan.

  Then his friend Pvt. John S. Fleming adds this to his father, in part: …we got marching orders on Sabbath day…we left Winchester at nine and marched to Berryville where we stopped for dinner…then we took up our line of march…and marched until dark then we got the orders…to quarters. I tell you the boys was soon scattered all over the woods and sleeping. We lay here till to o'clock in the morning when the bugle was again sounded…to march on. We had 4 miles till Charlestown. We marched thare then we stopped for breakfast. I think the boys stole twenty or thirty or maybe fifty turkeys. We commenced one, a nice board ever you seen and the railing of the yard which we soon had a good fire…we made some coffee then we [marched] 8 miles further…some of the boys is pretty tried…most of them got their knapsacks hauled part of the way but I carried mine the whole road. I think the war will soon be over…they told you about me getting hit on the head. I was only stunned. I am very well…but I am a little sore…John S. Fleming…

  [Berryville, Va.], Apr. 18, 1863, to his father, in part: …we are still at Berryville. It is twenty miles from the ferry and 12 miles from Winchester…there not a store in them and the country nearly desolate. There are some sutler store for the soldiers but they sell at their prices…I just came off guard this morning. The duty we have to due…we go on guard every forth day…this week we got new guns. We got the Enfield rifle. They are a good gun…we are in the Shenandoah. The people hear say it [is] the best part of the whole state. It is a very nice country. This valley is about fifty miles long…it [is] level [with] lime stone…the fence is all burnt. Thare [is] no grain, sod…and no plowing for the man all gone to the army but some of the old men. You could scarcely see a young man in the whole country…we are brigaded with a Maryland regiment and a Va. regiment and New York regiment and a battery of four pieces. We being some of the readiness in every day…we are under General Milroy. Report says that they can bring in one hundred thousand men here in 24 hours…if the officers would do their duty we could sure put an end to this war…they have a very easy way to make money. I forgot to tell you how hard way the people here has got it…they have no coffee. I was in a house and they told me they had nothing to eat but cereal and meat and when the old ran was done they did not know what they would do…my prayers is that God will be with us and guide us in the way to Heaven's glory and pray…his will that [this] wicked rebellion soon may be sunk to the bottom of the sea never to rise again…John R. Carnahan…

  [Berryville, Va.], May 7, 1863, to his father, in part: …a part of our regiment on Tuesday night went across the Shenandoah river on a scout and has not returned…I was out on picket at the time and I was very glad I was. They had a very wet trip of it…stamps…are very hard to get…our scouts bring in some gray backs most everyday…we have to stand guard every fourth night but when we stand we get about three hours sleep and then the ninth day we git all day…that aint very hard work. I like to be a soldier…we got very cheering news from Hooker's army…he [has] cornered the rebels…this war will soon be over and I do pray that it will so…John R. Carnahan…

  Harrisburg, June 17, 1863, to his father, in part: …I reckon you heard of the great retreat we made. We left Berryville on Saturday the 13th…arrived at this place on Tuesday…being a distance of one hundred and fifty miles in 3 days…our train consisted of about four hundred wagons…it would make a long string…it reached about 4 miles. As for the rest of our boys I cannot let you know much about them…I fear that they have been badly cut up but we will wait for the worst and hope for the best but it is certain that they fell back on Harpers Ferry and what is left of them is thereto…J. R. Carnahan.

  [n. p., but somewhere along the Rappahannock river], Aug. 21, 1863, to his father, in part: …we are on the Raphanick and everything is quiet here. The news is good from Charlestown and I hope if that place had fell into our hand that this would end the war. We are under marching orders but…if we due move…we will go back to Washington. I due hop that this was will be soon be over for everybody is tired of it…I do not know how the people…live here for they are nothing for man nor beast here for the army has destroyed everything…John R. Carnahan…

  Mine Run Campaign Letter

  [n. p., but somewhere along the Rappahannock river], Dec. 11, 1863, to his father, in part: …we advance over the Rapidan into the Wilderness and there we found rebs in force and we fought them and drove them back in their fortifications and there they made a stand…Gen. Meade ordered a charge on the rebels works…[the] charge was to be at four o'clock in [the] afternoon but when he viewed the works he did not charge and we came beck to [our] old camp on this side of Rapidan…we will stop here to spring if [they] don't drive [us] back for we are in their camp that they had for winter quarters. They had built little houses but we made them leave on the double quick and so live in them snug and warm…right to him and tell him what I think about slavery. For my part I would care [less] whare slavery was if the war was over. If he was here he would think so to…John R. Carnahan…

  Brandy Station, Apr. 10, 1864, to his father, in part: …all is quiet here now four the roads is so bad that the army cant move…I don't think the army moved to the middle of May for this very low ground and swampy…it takes a great while to dry up….when they do make a move…they will do something for the army is greatly strengthened and think that we will make the Rebs git this time and if we don't it is not four the wont of men…the whole country is full [of] camps…John R. Carnahan…

  Brandy Station, May 3, 1864, to his father, in part: …all is quiet here but [some] say that we will move the morrow…we have a big army here…the next time…I can give you someone's for I think there will be some hard fighting soon…John R. Carnahan… Attached is a two page letter John's father wrote to him in reply to a previous letter. Battle of the Wilderness & Spotsylvania Letter

  Fredericksburg, May 18, 1864, to his father, in part: …we crossed the Rapidan river and there we met the enemy watching to give us battle and we had [the] most desperate fighting ever the world knew. We fought them 8 days and drove them back about fifteen miles. I was…detailed to take off wounded which we got a great many of them. We lost a great many men but they lost more and now our army [is] as strong as when we crossed the river and I think that will end [the] war now…direct your letter to the 6 Corps, 3 division, 2 brigade 67 regiment Co. K…John R. Carnahan…

  White House Landing, June 10, 1864, to his father, in part: …I am still in the hospital helping to take care of wounded men. We sent them all off to Washington. We are going to leave here and go to Harrison Landing on the James river below Richmond . The news came in that Fort Darling was taken and [if] that be so then Richmond is gone up the spout and [is] good [for] hastening the time for I think that there been a nuff fiting…I think that they will soon take Richmond. We are still bringing in rebs by the hundreds and sometimes the thousands but we…lose a good many too but we have the most and…we can hold out the longest…John R. Carnahan…

  1864 Presidential Campaign Letter

  Camp near Berryville, Sept. 4, 1864, to his father, in part: …I am still at the same business yet, a nurse in the hospital department. There is a good many sick at this hospital. Everything is quiet at this place…there has been a good luck of scrimmaging in this valley for the last two weeks but no general engagement. Our division has not happened to be in any fighting since we came to this valley. We have had a good luck of hard marching to do. This is a beautiful valley and good ground but the army destroys everything [that] comes before them. I do not like to see them burning grain stacks and barns, but they will do it. I do not know what is to become of the citizens in this part of the country this winter. Thare was a mount of corn in this part when our army came into it, but…the soldiers gains in and ration ers. I can not see when this war will come to a close…the taking of Atlanta will be a pretty hard stroke on the rebs but still they continue to fight. I am afraid it tis going to take us a long time yet to get the South whipped. I do think this war will have to be settled yet by some kind of a compromise…there will be a big time this fall about electing a president. For my part I can hardly say who I will gow for this fall. I would like to see peace as well as any man living if…it would be means of bringing this rebellion to a close by electing G. B. McClellan I would vote for him…what [do] the folks of Indiana County think of the nomination of G. B. McClellan. I want to know what Adam thinks of the Democrats nomination for president…our colonel [John F. Staunton]…was discharged from the service…a few days ago for not performing his duty as an officer. I am not a bit sorry…he had got his just dues. He would of bin discharged long ago. The Aat [Adjutant 1st Lt. John] F. Young of Indiana [County] has command of our Regt…John R. Carnahan, Co. K, 67 Regt. P. V., 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 6th Army Corps…

  Pvt. John S. Fleming, Co. K, 67th Penn. Vols

  Head Quarters Co. K, 67th Pa. Vols., Mar. 5, 1864, in part: …I was away on a three days scout, come back and then had to gow four days on picket…there will be…drill today. This word fills this time. Now it is quinine call. Come you sick, lame and lasy, but I have quit taking thare quinine and I am glad of it…the Sixth Corps and one division of our sent on [a] scout last Saturday and all of our cavalry…we [?] her any thing from Old Kilpatrick, but I believe he will take Richmond…I cant see how the Johneys can hold out when we get all of our armies in motion. We now have a grate army…in the southwest under very skillful generals. General Sherman is walking right through the Confederacy knocking them higher than a kite and just ding as he pleases…while Banks and old Beast Butler as the rebs calles him is lying in the James river watching thare every move while hear lies the Army of the Potomac the mighty Bull Dog of all the armies. I don't believe this army will ever move…unless he falls back and if he leaves his intenchments. He is a whipped man and if he stays he will starve. If our Western army luck leads in holding Florida and Tennessee for their hay supply…he cant live in Virginia…I don't believe we will hear any whipper willows this spring unless they come from the north with thare knapsacks and 8 days rashines in them. You cant imagine what a dreary…desolate region of country this is. You might travel…and not see as many rails as would fence a potato patch and very few houses. What few thare is we have to feed thare wives and children while the husband and father is in armies against us. It seems a little hard but it would not be Christian like to let them starve…I must tell you I was very near being a Vet. I promised to enlist when my to years would come us but the colonel failed to get transportation and furrows for the 18 month men so that lets me out…we have got new flags again and [that] makes a fellow feel a good deal better. They cost 5 hundred dollars. I hope the Johneys wont get this one. They are the pride and glory of the soldiers and when they are gone it makes a fellow feel as if all his friends was dead. We have had one with black letters on it marked Winchester in honoring for the ones we lost…John S. Fleming…

  Most of Carnahan and Fleming's phonetic spelling has been corrected.

  Musician Samuel Fleming, Co. A, 78th Penn. Vols.

  Camp Orr, Sept. 16, [1861], on The Constitution patriotic stationery, in part: …we have first rate times here. The drum is rolling for drill…we put a man in the guard house for getting to much thats what the matter. They drummed one fellow out of camp today because he refused to take the Oath of Allegiance. We were sworn into the United States Service today. This fellow stepped out of the ranks. We have had three fellows in the guard house but none of our fellows. We have got 79 men sworn into our Company. There was 8 come in today…in a few days we will have the full number. There is now in camp six companies and about five hundred and fifty men sworn in. Ours is the first company…we get the right post of honor. I am still holding onto the drum, but have not done anything at it for a few days. I got the head broke in and have got it fixed up…we have been looking for you down with great patience but have most give up looking for any more men…stay at home light guards…we have plenty to eat and the ladies come to see us every day. We have got the best looking captain in the camp and the best looking men so says the ladies…some of you fellows might take time to bring some of those girls down to see us…Thomas Bell was here to join our company and he could not get an office…he tried to get one in the Chesitree Company and they told him he would get them six men and he left. I don't know whether he will be back…we are doing with the bass drum. We have not used it much since you were here. We use nothing but small drums. This is a pretty wicked place but our boys keep pretty strait…Samuel Fleming. Addressed to James C. Carnahan who later enlisted as drummer in the 78th but died of disease shortly after the battle of Murfreesboro.

  Camp Negley, Dec. 10, 1861, n Maj. Gen. McClellan patriotic stationery, in part: …we are going to leave tomorrow morning…I [am] driving teams for the general…I have six mules. I can fetch them on a pox[?]…we don't se any fight here. Tom Fleming is driving the company team……I have six splendid black mules. The[y] haint kicked me yet but it was not thare fault. Well Jim you ought to be here to try your teeth on some of the cracker and some of the wild bore fuck. Well Jim as I cant be with you all the time I want you to go it this winter as thare is few boy[s home.] The girls will suffer but don't you let them do it…address Col. Sirwell, 78th Regt. P. V…. Addressed to James C. Carnahan who later enlisted as drummer in the 78th but died of disease shortly after the battle of Murfreesboro. The original "Due 3" Gen. Rosecrans patriotic transmittal cover is included.

  Condition

  Letters are in good condition with typical folds, some have their original envelopes but very few do. 
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