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THBElias Baker, 46th Illinois Infantry, Civil War Archive
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Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
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About Auction
LiveJun 9, 2017 - Jun 10, 2017
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- Lot Description
Lot of 5 war-date letters from Private Elias Baker, 46th Illinois Infantry, Co. G.
Baker enlisted in the army on October 8, 1861, and within a week he mustered into the 46th Illinois. His term of service was quiet until he and his regiment saw action at the Battle of Shiloh and suffered considerable loss. After the fight, he wrote, I am glad to hear that our Col. [John A. Davis] is getting along so well but it is sad to hear of so many of our companions dying who were wounded in the battle [of Shiloh] (Corinth, MS, May 17, 1862). The day of his letter, he and the men prepared for the siege of Corinth. He described:
The pickets of the two armies are in continual conflict with each other. There were several pickets on our side killed & wounded last night… The rebels will soon have to leave or…there will have to be a fight before long. Some think that they will not stand a fight here. If they do I think it will be the last fighting we will have to do. The 15th are all furnished with new Enfield guns. We are to have them too as soon as they can get them from the [Pittsburg] landing (Corinth, MS, May 17, 1862).
They continued to fight throughout the Vicksburg campaign. During that time, Baker chose to re-enlist.
Baker and his friends encountered some bad luck not on the battlefield, but at camp. Elias Hackel our baker had his tent fly lying near our cook tent and some of the boys began throwing coals on it and it finally burnt it up. I was not directly engaged in the affair but was rather a abettor, he explained. We were brought to head quarters under guard until the next day when it resulted in fine of three dollars…upon each of us. I thought you might get the report of me being under arrest and thought it best to explain it to you (Natchez, MS, August 30, 1863).
Baker continued to serve well after the war ended. He mustered out of Baton Rouge on January 20, 1866. Refer to cowans.com for additional transcriptions.
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Transcriptions include:
Corinth, Miss., May 17, 1862, in part: …Major [Benjamin] Dornblaser [WIA Shiloh 4/7/62 & brevet major general 3/13/65] arrived here yesterday…there were a great many bright & pleasant faces at his appearance…I am glad to hear that our Col. [John A. Davis wounded severely on April 7th and had to carried from the field at Shiloh & MWIA Hatchie Bridge, Tenn. 10/5/62] is getting along so well but it is sad to hear of so many of our companions dying who were wounded in the battle [Shiloh]…Gen. Halleck rode along the lines yesterday so I saw Julias & Abe Newcomer as they belong to his body guard but I did not get to speak with them…our line of battle is fifteen miles long. We advance a mile or two every few days and when we come to a halt each Regt. and company build their own breastworks…so that every inch of ground we gain we will be able to hold. The pickets of the two armies are in continual conflict with each other. There were several pickets on our side killed & wounded last night. There was one of the 15th in Co. G wounded last night. The rebels will soon have to leave or…there will have to be a fight before long. Some think that they will not stand a fight here. If they do I think it will be the last fighting we will have to do. The 15th are all furnished with new Enfield guns. We are to have them too as soon as they can get them from the [Pittsburg] landing. I sent some money home by Laura [Lawrence] Patten [Discharged for disability 3/7/62]. Some thinks it was not too safe to send it with him but I am not much afraid but that he will get it home. The 46th have a sutler now. He is from Lane Station, Ogle Co…Elias D. Baker.
Memphis, Tenn., March 13, 1863, in part: We arrived in Memphis again yesterday…we rec'd. $26.00 pay before we left Lafayette… I am sorry and ashamed that I could not send more to you…if you knew the circumstances you would not blame me. When we were paid at Moscow it took nearly all to pay some I had borrowed…I want to get a gold pen and a couple pictures taken in a day…the grub that soldiers get it is not impossible to not spend when he has it. There is still four months pay due us….we had a bad day to march on…it rained all the time. Some of the boys fell into the ditches full of water up to their necks…we are going to reinforce the Army of the Cumberland. We rec'd. intelligence of a severe battle at Vicksburg. It is reported that Gen. Logan has cut his way through to the railroad between Vicksburg and Jackson. If that is the case they have the rebels foul. The 11th has likely seen more fighting as they are in Logan's division. The Kansas Jayhawkers captured three hundred guerillas yesterday…near Lafayette. I will send you my likeness as soon as I can…Elias.
Natchez, Miss., Aug. 30, 1863, in part: …I will tell you…what I will call a misfortune. The Co. came off picket the other morning feeling a little for fun…Elias Hackel our baker had his tent fly lying near our cook tent and some of the boys began throwing coals on it and it finally burnt it up. I was not directly engaged in the affair but was rather a abettor. It was reported to Col. Ben and we were brought to head quarters under guard until the next day when it resulted in fine of three dollars…upon each of us. I thought you might get the report of me being under arrest and thought it best to explain it to you…the Col. hold us…that the Regt. was going to be mounted, but I have seen nothing yet to verify it. I am afraid it will not be done. We passed the most rigid inspection this morning that we have yet had in the division. Gen. Crocker now commanding the division passed through the ranks by companies and scrutinized the arms, accouterments and clothing very closely. Our guns were burnished up that the reflection of the sun upon them would almost dazzle your eyes…our clothing was in the best possible condition. It was desired that all should have our boots blackened…it made a very uniform appearance…I attended church in the city today and heard a pretty good sermon but there was nothing hinted at concerning the national difficulties. I also heard some splendid music from the choir…E. D. Baker.
Undated 2pp. 8vo., letter from Natchez, reading, in part: …we have just finished building us a house. We made it of pine logs and plastered it with clay. We have a fine brick chimney…we will probably have to move our camp inside the breastworks after they are finished. Our paroled men [a portion of the regiment was captured at Jackson, Miss. three days after the surrender of Vicksburg] have been exchanged and have returned to the Regt…E. D. Baker.
Vicksburg, Miss., May 1, 1864, in part: …we left Black River on the 28th inst. and came to Vicksburg on the cars and went into camp south of the city and yesterday we moved camp to or three miles to the north side. Black river is evacuated we being the last Regt. that left there…E. D. Baker.
Typical folds of the letters with minor toning.Condition
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