Lieutenant Ira Fox Gensel, 4th US Infantry, DOW, Civil War Letters Rich with Battle Content

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Oct 31, 2018

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  Lieutenant Ira Fox Gensel, 4th US Infantry, DOW, Civil War Letters Rich with Battle Content
  
  

  Lot of 10 letters written by Ira Fox Gensel (1831-1862) to Annie Robinson, Rock Island, IL.
  
  Ira Gensel was a shoemaker and a court clerk in Doylestown, PA before April 1861 when he enlisted as a private in the Doylestown Guards, which became Company I, 25th PA Infantry, a 3-month unit. He mustered out on August 1 in Harrisburg, and immediately was commissioned into the US Army 4th Infantry as a 2nd lieutenant on August 15. He was promoted to 1st lieutenant the following August, Co. D, 4th US Infantry. He also served as provost marshal of the company. Gensel was present at the battles of Yorktown, Gaines Mill, Malvern Hill, Bull Run and Antietam. He was wounded at the Battle of Fredericksburg (VA) on December 13, 1862 and died of his wounds on the 28th in Washington, DC. He was returned home and buried in Doylestown Cemetery.
  
  The letters include the following highlights:
  
  1. As a civilian, Doylestown, PA, April 14, 1861. In part: " The excitement I wrote you about in my last letter...continues unabated and exceeds anything I ever saw. 'The Palmetto Flag,' a newspaper devoted to the interests of the South...was mobbed to-day in the city. Many are waiting to see tomorrow's issue of the Standard, if it contains anything supporting the south in their aggression on the Government. It will [be] mobbed as that is the determination of a good many of our people...tomorrow I am going to the city to see some of the excitement there. On Tuesday evening there will be a meeting held here for the purpose of organizing in a Military Corps. It's service...are to be forwarded to the President. Many will join and next week's Democrat will contain a list of them...among the number you will find the names of many acquaintances & some that you would not expect to see....Ira ."
  
  2. As a member of Co. I, 25th PA Vols. " Camp on the Blue Ridge above Harpers Ferry, July 5, 1861 ," in part: ". ..I was an eye witness to a fight last evening. Early in the morning the rebels commenced re-enforcing Harpers Ferry. They at once began to throw up embankments and plant cannon. Our men stationed on this side could not stand silent...one word brought our men to arms. They fired on the New York men in our division which was returned. It continued until dark. Three of our men were wounded and one killed. This morning...another of the men died last night. Poor fellow. I saw the one fall dead. He was shot through the heart and the first man to take me by the hand yesterday morning when the cars arrived at this station. He now sleeps the sleep of death...our encampment is now on the highest point of land and commands the whole country. The farmers in the neighborhood are very kind and will send us anything we desire...I went to a farm house to buy some eggs...and found the farm house filled with Union loving citizens of Virginia who had been driven from their houses. Among the ladies was quite a number of refinement and education. I had quite a long chat with an interesting young lady...poor creature she was almost frightened to death. She was so anxious to see some of Uncle Abe's men that her mother came up to our camp to see the men. They were most pleased. I am invited to dinner with them and will do so if we do not get marching orders. This morning quite a number of men and women from Virginia are here, walking about among the soldiers. They are all glad that we are here. We did not march into Harpers Ferry last evening...we are awaiting the arrival of more men. A lady just from the Ferry says that 4 rebels were killed & six wounded...Ira F. Gensel ."
  
  3. 25th PA Vols. " Bivouac opposite Williamsport, Virginia, July 7, 1861 ." in part: ".. .at seven o'clock we resumed our march...we passed through beautiful country...the people were glad to see us and treated us with the greatest kindness...we arrived at Williamsport, a village containing about 1500 inhabitants. This is another Union town and contains more negroes than any town I have been in...marched to the river which we had to ford...the large body of troops that were to join commenced arriving. It was the grandest sight I ever witnessed. I sat for three hours on the hillside watching the different regiments crossing...first comes two Massachusetts Regts. next...the New Hampshire 1st, the Connecticut 4th while on the shore waiting is the New York 9th...one of Col. Stone's aides has just told me that there was three more near...7,000 thousand men have concentrated here and are all encamped within a mile of each other. It is without parallel in...history...an officer has just been around notifying the cooks to be up at 3 so we can march at daylight...there is much excitement...we are now in the old Dominion and have the enemy on all sides. Before two days we will be in a battle or the Rebels will be compelled to retreat...some of us will fall. I may be the first. I shall however know that we are...true friends...Ira F. Gensel ." With cover franked by congressman Campbell.
  
  4. 25th PA Vols. " Camp near Martinsburg, Virginia, July 11, 1861 ," in part: ".. .we expected to mark on Winchester...I am not particularly pre-supposed with the appearance of the town [Martinsburg]. It is the county seat of Berkley County and has a population of about 4,000 inhabitants. The houses are small. Many of them are only one and a half stories high, a style...adopted in Southern villages. They are almost all closed and deserted now, the families preferring to follow...the Secession Army, to staying at home and enjoying the security and protection that would have been secured them by Gen. Patterson. The court house is a very small building and very strangely planned. The exterior presents a very commonplace appearance while the interior causes you almost to blush at the sight of a Southern Temple of Justice. The market house is another quaint looking affair and instead of being occupied by Southern Luck venders is now used as a guard house...the jail which was almost filled by Union men before our army took possession of the town, has been thrown open and they are once more enjoying their liberty. The prettiest place...was the country residence of Chas. J. Faulkner, late minister to France. It is now occupied solely by his wife, two of his sons are in the rebel army and his daughters are at Winchester. While he...dare not return to the United States...he has been in complicity with the conspirators. His slaves showed me through his splendid gardens and park. Yesterday one hundred and fifty barrels of whiskey was seized as contraband goods and emptied into the creek...two hundred barrels of flour have also been seized and have been appropriated by our men to their own use. Martial law is proclaimed in the town and the bayonet is pointed...at the corner of every street...unless you have a pass....you are placed under arrest. Several persons who were strolling around the town carelessly have been shot. I was near Gen. Patterson's Head Quarters when a flag of truce was sent in by Gen. Johnson...what the object was is unknown by me...it is rumored that Jeff Davis is asking for a cessation of hostilities...in favor of immediate compromise. Our scouts returned from Winchester...report a large army there...20,000 men...when the advance is made on Winchester, Col. Stone's command will be the advance and begin the battle...the best arms to be found in the country are in our possession...when the battle takes place you will hear a good account of the Doylestown boys...quite a number of ladies are strolling through our camp and a large crowd is around our band...everything around me is dreary and silent...I heard of my dear mother's death which took place on the 4th of July...don't whatever you do make a drunkard of yourself...I feel as though I would be glad when the moment should come when my spirit should join hers in Heaven...Ira F. Gensel ."
  
  5. As a member of the 4th US RA. " Washington City, DC, 'Duff Green's Row,' Mar. 9, 1862 ." In part: "... a very little more than one year ago we met...one of the topics of our conversation was the present war and ...all present differed from my views, particularly Mr. Armstrong...yet much earnestness I depicted the magnitude of the struggle which I believed...was inevitable...then Annie when we was alone don't you recollect my telling you the part I was going to play and that I would be a Lt. in the Regular Army...we have been all excitement...expecting orders to move...I am officer of the guard to-day and have just returned from visiting the sentinels. While making my rounds I was attracted to a small old dilapidated house. I rapped at the door and admittance was refused. I sent for the patrol and broke the door in. My God, what a sight four drunken soldiers were playing cards. A bottle of brandy occupying a prominent place on the table and a little girl 12 years of age dealt out the poison. The poor little thing told me that her father and mother lived about a mile away and that they forced her [to] stay in the building all day and night. Under the floor quite a large quantity was secreted. I...directed the soldiers to spill it all. This...was in Washington City and but a stone's throw from the US Senate Chamber. Truly...a sad commentary upon the Capitol of the Nation...Ira F. Gensel ."
  
  6. 4th US RA. " Camp Winfield Scott in front of Yorktown, Va., April 19, 1862." In part: ".. .we are required to be ready at any moment for the march on the Rebels. We may not move for some days. A young friend of mine was attached to the Topographical Engineer corps...and [was] sent out sketching...while busy at his table working a shot or shell...from a reel battery was fired in the direction of where he was. It struck the table, burst killing a man that was with him instantly, wounding the other badly and injuring his arm...that it had to be amputated. Poor fellow he slept in my tent the night before...so the war goes. Yesterday while riding along Wormley's Creek my horse became frightened and ran off with me. I was thrown, not hurt however.... the only thing I most regret is the loss of your likeness. I had it copied into a medallion and fastened to my guard chain. After I got back to camp I missed it and rode back to where the accident took place, but could not find it. I miss it so much...while at Hd. Qrs. about two hundred men belonging to the Regts. in the Army of the Potomac and who had been last at the hospital [in]Washington City...came in to join their Regts. Among them was five of the 104th [Penn.] but nobody from Doylestown...I have a contraband supplying me with oysters and fresh fish everyday...he does it on penalty of my sending him to the guard house for selling to anybody else before supplying me....Ira F. Gensel ."
  
  7. 4th US RA. " Camp at Harrison's Landing on James River, Va., Aug. 1, 1862 ." In part, "... when we first came to this camp there was plenty of mocking birds and they did sing most splendidly, but the horrors of this war...drove them away...at Camp Winfield Scott I sent you a carte de visite of a friend of mine, Lieut. Thomas D. Parker [2nd United States Regular Infantry]...He was aide de camp to Gen. Sykes and was killed [June 27, 1862, Battle of Gaines Mill]. I was near him when he fell mortally wounded. Poor Parker I shall never forget him. He was an intimate friend of mine, a generous noble hearted fellow and a brave officer. The ink stand from which I am writing is a present from him. One year ago he was a prisoner in the hands of the Rebels in Texas. He escaped from them and got into Mexico. At Matamoras he secured passage on board one of our merchant vessels and in September landed in New York...after he rejoined the army...[he] fell in defense of the 'Old Flag.' To hear the booming of cannon, the bursting of shell, to hear the roar of musketry and the whizzing of bullets and see those with whom you are intimate falling wounded and killed around you produces very strange feelings on...going into battle for the first time. They however soon pass away and then one becomes utterly reckless and indifferent...I was riding almost by the side of Lieut. Parker and when he fell from his horse I was affected but for a moment but my feelings were those of bitter, bloody revenge...notwithstanding...I like the life of a soldier...and would not for a great deal have missed seeing what I have...in the great effort of the Government to crush out this infernal rebellion. I have but one regret...that that effort has not been successful or that this war is not much nearer a close than it is...ere long I hope to see the 'Stars & Stripes' floating over a free and undivided country...the policy of our Government has been to[o] lenient towards the rebels and from the first has underrated them...we have a determined and vindictive enemy to fight...if this rebellion is to be put down it must be done by fighting...let the 300,000 men called for by the president be speedily raised and then let us hurl our whole force against them...last night...the rebels from the opposite side of the river commenced shelling our shipping at the wharf. The cannonading was heavy for near an hour when the rebels were driven away....Ira F. Gensel ."
  
  8. 4th US RA. " On Board the Steamer Elm City, Potomac River. " N.d., but likely Aug. 21, 1862. " The few hurriedly penned lines from Newport News...will tell you of my leaving that miserable place...from the name...it was a place of some size and importance but it is neither - like everything in Va. it has a big name...here is the river the Merrimac attacker and sunk two of our ships of war the Cumberland and congress. The first lays some distance out in the river. The mast sticking up denotes where she went down. The Congress is quite near the shore. On both of there there was a large amount of treasure and...an attempt will be made to raise them. The trios being all on board...a shrill whistle and we are off. The Elm City is the fastest and best steamer in the employ of the government...all felt secure as she glided down the James River. The sight was grand...at one o'clock however...a crash...one of the Baltimore line of steamers has run into our steamer. She is thought to be in a sinking condition...we are thirty miles from land. She has 1100 men on board. Imagine then the excitement and confusion. The captain...soon had a small boat lowered and proceeded to make an examination of her condition and ...proclaimed...she would not go down...how many gloomy...circumstances were brightened by this intelligence. All night the carpenters and pumps have been at work...she was pronounced capable of carrying us to our destination...we are running slowly not more than three miles an hour and will not reach Acquia Creek until night.... fortunate for us there is no storm or we would have all found a watery grave. What a very different aspect the country presents...it now green and beautiful and looks grand, but how different my feelings...from then as we sail down the Potomac. The grand army was en route for the Peninsula, the country was assured and the people believed that the rebellion would soon be crushed...yet dear Annie the day seems yet far distant...the campaign of the Peninsula has been a failure. Millions of dollars have been expended and thousands of lives have been lost...comparatively nothing has been accomplished. I don't censure McClellan. I believe him the greatest general we have...but I blame some one...history will point out who is the guilty one...when I get to Fredericksburg will write you again....Ira ."
  
  9. 4th US RA. " Camp on the Potomac opposite Shepherdstown, Va., Sept. 22, 1862. " In part: "... the same old stenotypes order 'to be ready to move at a moments notice' has just been received...some intelligent contrabands have just come into our lines and report the enemy in large force about three miles distant on the opposite side of the river... am ready for anything. I spent most of the day yesterday in Sharpsburg and took dinner with a very pretty young lady - one that gave me something to eat when I marched through here over a year ago. She remained in the cellar of their house during the battle with her mother. The house was struck four times during the battle. One of the shot a 32 pounder passing quite through it. She showed me a large piece of it which she says she intends keeping a long as she lives. Her name is Annie. She is very smart and it was quite a treat to sit and converse with her. As I was about leaving she gave me an invitation to come in and take tea with them...but the order just received will keep me in camp. Sharpsburg, when I passed through it a year ago, was a quiet beautiful little country village...in favor of the Union...that same sentiments still exist, perhaps stronger now owing to the rebel raid, but how changed the town. In the streets every thing is military and almost every other house is a hospital. Some of the finest dwellings are completely riddled with cannon balls and quite a number were burned. Mrs. Dr. Biggs took me to her parlor where a shell had burst. It seemed like a complete breaking up of housekeeping and parlor furniture. The town presents a sad sight...many families had left before the battle and now return to their houses only to find them in ruins or broken open and pillaged. The fight appears to have been a harder one than I expected...the loss of life was terrible. Among those that fell was poor [Col] Sam Croasdale [128th Penn. Vols.] of Doylestown. I met him with his regiment at Frederic City the Sunday before the battle...a few words were exchanged and I bid him good by...how I pity his poor sisters. I know them well they are accomplished ladies...this war I think is much nearer an end now than it ever has been. A few weeks more and the rebel army will be broken up. The men are destitute of almost everything necessary to sustain life hungry, ragged and barefoot....Ira ."
  
  10. 4th US RA. " Camp near Sharpsburg, M.d., Sept. 30, 1862 ." in part: ".. .oh; Annie what a bitter cruel war this is. Ours is a country the fairest the sun ever shone upon...where the greatest amount of liberty is enjoyed...yet to vindicate its supremacy and maintain law and order we are drifting - yes fast drifting to despotism. Yesterday I again rode over the 'Battle field of Antietam' and was impressed with the fact that it was a more terrible and bloody affair than I thought...the terror and havoc of battle was exhibited wherever you turned...the awfulness of death was still visible in many frightful forms. These things so man...seem awful indeed they are...I recollect on the day of the battle that the men advanced and fell back near a small white building in the woods. Here the battle raged fiercest and hottest and towards night as our men fell back a third time. I thought the fortunes of the day were against us. The building is a very handsome little country church where ye people in ye old time used to meet to worship God. Its walls are completely riddled with shot and shell. Its floor is red with blood and the little wood in one vast cemetery where the Union and Rebel soldier sleep quietly...side by side. This morning I read the notice of the death of poor Col. [Samuel] Croasdale [128th Penn. Vols.]...I saw him with his regiment at Frederic City the Sunday before his death. Little did I think it was...the last time. Poor fellow...what a sad impression to the living. A few short weeks ago he bid adieu to friends and relatives and marched from Doylestown at the head of his company. On arriving at Harrisburg Gen. Curtain promoted him to the command of a regiment...earnestly and zealously upon the discharge of his responsible duties...our recent reverses made it necessary that in the campaign in Maryland the new regiment should take the field. In the battle of Antietam...while at the head of his regiment he fell. Now Annie his form is mouldering in the grave. Truly Annie the path of glory heads but to the grave....Ira ."
  
  Unfortunately for Ira Gensel, this was all too prophetic. He would be wounded just over two months later at another fierce battle, Fredericksburg. He died of his wounds two weeks later.

  Condition

  Generally in good condition. Very little foxing or toning.
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