Private Thomas J. Bond, 2nd Ohio Volunteers, Civil War Archive

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• Lot Description

  Lot of 34 war-date letters from Private Thomas J. Bond, 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Co. G. 

  The beginning of the war for many soldiers was exciting, because all were convinced the war would be short and glorious. Thomas Bond was one of the many men who enlisted in the army during the first years of the war. He applied for three years of service and mustered in as a private in the 2^nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Co. G, on September 5, 1861. Twenty days after mustering in, he packed his knapsack and was cheered all the way out of Cincinnati while he departed for the front (Cincinnati, OH, September 25, 1861). After we got to the city we marched down to the ferry…the next morning they put us to work at building tents, described Bond. Our company has seven…and one commissary tent each tent contains fourteen inhabitants…they are very much crowded and it keeps us warm to lay close to gather. They was the largest crowd of people in the camp that I ever saw. They was a thick as could be put together (Cincinnati, OH, September 25, 1861). A few nights into their journey, their first casualty occurred. It was not a rebel soldier, but an African-American man they suspected was trying to poison the well. The negro went after some water and the guard halted him. The second time he laughed…the third time…he would not stop and he shot him through the heart killing him instantly, wrote Bond (Cincinnati, OH, September 25, 1861).

  After marching for months and wading waist deep in mud the night before, Bond and the regiment finally met the enemy in a serious fight. We poured forth a volley of shot and scattered the enemy in every direction, wrote Bond. We fetched our cannon and she pord forth a shell shell which scattered every thing around. We sent out skirmishers in all directions. We marched 1/2 mile further and was in site of the city of West Liberty… on the city and throwed several bomb shells in the city and tore everything to pieces. Then we into the city and took possession…did not see a human being in it (Battle of West Liberty, KY, October 23, 1861). The deserted town was an eerie sight. People left in such a hurry their breakfasts were still on the table. Bond and the men gorged themselves on the abandoned goods before setting out to investigate more of the town. We sent men to find how many they was killed and found 21 dead bodies in the woods, wrote Bond. They was but one man in our reg. wounded and he was in a cavalry company (Battle of West Liberty, KY, October 23, 1861). Beyond tasty foods paper also became a cherished and scarce commodity. We tare up all the books that has any paper in it to make envelopes and letters for paper home, wrote Bond (Prestonsburgh, November 17, [1861]).

  After the Battle of West Liberty, Bond and the 2^nd OVI experienced heavy fighting at Perryville and Stones River while pursuing General Morgan and his men. After nearly two years of chasing they finally captured 250 of his men as well as one of his most prized relations, his wife (Murfreesboro, TN, April 26, [1863]). With this victory also came some defeat. Bond and his regiment lost heavily at the Battle of Chickamauga. A few days after the fight, Bond wrote home:

  We have not heard from any of the boys that was taken. We do not know whether they are killed or taken prisoners or not but I think they was taken prisoner. Our brigade had 1800 when we went into the fight and now we number 900 for duty…our Regt had something over 400 now we have 190 left…our company had 41 men now we have 24 so you may know how we lost, but we only know of one being killed and 3 wounded (Chattanooga, [TN], Oct. 9, 63).

  Towards the end of his service, Bond did not want to continue his career in the army. He explained, I am not going to enlist till I see some of the men that is at home come and try it…and see how they will like it (Camp near Chattanooga, [TN], Dec. 31, [1863]).

  After fighting at the Battles of Missionary Ridge and Resaca, Bond kept to his word and did not reenlist for another term of service. He mustered out of service on October 10, 1864. Additional transcriptions are available at cowans.com.

  ______________________________________________________________________________

  Transcribed letters: 

  Cincinnati, Ohio, Sept. 25, 1861, in part: …camp life agrees with me very well…I have gained 8 pounds…we received marching orders…to pack up for one days march…the next morning we packed knapsacks and started for the cars and made fast time to Cincinnati and was cheered all the way…after we got to the city we marched down to the ferry…the next morning they put us to work at building tents. Our company has seven…and one commissary tent each tent contains fourteen inhabitants…they are very much crowded and it keeps us warm to lay close to gather. They was the largest crowd of people in the camp that I ever saw. They was a shtick as could be put together…they was an negro shot the other night. They hurd they was someone trying to poison the well…they put a guard around it in the night. The negro went after some water and the guard halted him. The second time he laughed…the third time…he would not stop and he shot him through the heart killing him instantly. We keep our guns clean in readiness for the secessionists but none have made their appearance…we will go to the interior of Kentucky. There was two regiments of Ohio boys passed through the camp for Covington on the Lexington RR. The citizens are raising an entrenchment on a hill…facing the Rail Road so as to keep the secessions from coming in on the cars and destroying the city…direct your letters to Camp King, Covington, Ky, 2nd OVM care of Capt. Sarrett…Thomas Bond…

  Camp King, [Cincinnati], Oct. 3, [1861], in part:…we are going to leave for the southern part of Kentucky…we got our orders this evening at dress parade…I wish you would send that stamp [stencil] for marking my cloths. We have to keep our eyes on our things all the time to keep the things from being stolen…our Brigadier General [Ormsby M.] Mitchell [DOD Oct. 30, 62] was introduced to us today. He said he was a going to send as many as he could to Kentucky and then he would get on his horse…be in the field with us and fight beside us. They said that they was 20 thousand men…passed through Cincinnati…Thomas J. Bond.

  Camp in the wilderness, [Camp Gill, Olympian Springs, Bath Co., KY], Oct. 21, [1861], in part: …I did not think you would let Ras Tabel go home with you. It made me mad to hear of it. I hope you will not let him go home with you again. I hate him or any other boys that would back out from going to war after going as far as he did…when we got here there was the greatest wilderness you ever saw. We had to clear a place for our tents. We are surrounded by vast rocks two or three hundred feet in height…we traveled…15 miles to our present location…Thomas J. Bond. Olympian Springs…2nd Ohio regiment…

  Battle of West Liberty, Kentucky, October 23, 1861

  Camp Leslie Combs, [West Liberty, KY], Oct. 25, [1861], concerning their brush with the enemy at West Liberty on October 23, 1861 while advancing on Bowling Green, Kentucky. Company B of the 1st Ohio Cavalry and Battery E, 1st Ohio Light Artillery were engaged with them in this small little heard of skirmish, in part: …we got orders to prepare 3 days rations…marched till supper…started again traveling all night in mud and rain…waded the Licking river. It was waist high. The boys did not like that way of doing. After leaving it we traveled about 2 miles and was met by the enemy. We poured forth a volley of shot and scattered the enemy in every direction…we fetched our cannon and she pord forth a shell shell which scattered every thing around. We sent out skirmishers in all directions. We marched 1/2 mile further and was in site of the city of West Liberty…we fetched our cannon to bare…on the city and throwed several bomb shells in the city and tore everything to pieces. Then we into the city and took possession…did not se a human being in it. Ever house had their breakfast on the table ready…to eat and we eat it…we sent men to find how many they was killed and found 21 dead bodies in the woods. They was but one man in our reg. wounded and he was in a cavalry company. They was some of our boys staid behind and they was fired…on wounding two of our company…I do not know when we will leave here but we are waiting for orders to move now…I am going to send this by a cavalry to Cincinnati…send me some envelopes and paper if you can get it. Thomas Bond.

  Prestonsburgh, Floyd Co., KY, Nov. 7, [1861], in part:…we left Patriots [?] Store on last Monday evening and marched for Prestonsburgh. We arrived at the Big Sandy about 11 o'clock…it took us till evening to cross it…we marched to the city and took it without a struggle. This is the place that we expected to have a battle with several thousand…but we did not meet a man…next morning we started to go 9 miles up the Big Sandy to disperse some rebels. We sent a company of cavalry ahead. They met a rebel army amounting to 4 men…they fled in confusion…they captured 2 men and killed 1 and 1 escaped…there is 4 regiments quartered here. They are the following. The 59th, 33rd, 21st and 2nd [Ohio]…there is also 6 pieces of cannon. We are situated 70 miles up the Big Sandy river. Our colonel has ordered 4 days rations…while we was on the march I saw one of the greatest curiosities ever I saw. It was the ground on fire…it has been burning since it can be remembered…also a well that boils up all the time…we passed over some of the [most] mountainous country ever I heard of…the distance that we traveled…was from Paris to Mt Sterling 10. Mt Sterling to Prestonsburgh 170 miles…expect to make 25 miles again today…two regiments just now left for Piketown…Thomas J. Bond.

  Prestonsburgh, Nov. 17, [1861], in part: …you seen in the Commercial where we was freezing to death. That is not so…we are quartered in houses…the people bake us hot biscuits…we got fourteen chickens and two turkeys for 10 men…I would rather be where I am than shelling corn…I am gong to stay in the army till the rebels is rid out of the country. We have been in Piketown for a week and got orders…to march to Prestonsburgh…some of the boys got on rafts…their was a steamboat their and I and several other got on the boat…and that saved me a walk…I think we will leave…for the old state of Ohio to winter…the scarcest article now is paper and envelopes. We tare up all the books that has any paper in it…I suppose you got that one that I sent from West Liberty for it was a pretty large one 9the one we are selling elsewhere in the catalog]…Thomas J. Bond.

  Louisville, Nov. 26, 1861, in part: …we got on the Jacob Stradder at Cattletsburgh and started for Louisville. We stopped at Covington and I went over to Cincinnati…seen Earl's folks and eat my dinner their…went back to the boat and then we proceeded on to this place where we arrived at about midnight…I went up town and got some fresh bread…Charley you did not say whether you got that bayonet or not. Tell Marietta that I have got one of them song books that they use in that country at singins…we got our overcoats and they was not worth anything,…our Colonel [Leonard A. Harris] would not have them…Thomas J. Bond.

  Camp Dick Holt, [Louisville], KY, Nov. 27, 1861, in part: …we got on board the S. B. Jacob Strader and started for Louisville. The boat stopped at Covington…I went over to Cincinnati to Earl's and got my dinner….then we proceeded on to Louisville, the Jacob Stader taking the lead followed by the…steamers Superior, McClellan, Boston, Bostonia, Champion [&] Rocket. We arrived at…Louisville about midnight. We was treated well by the Louisvillians. They gave us plenty to eat and they sent us some clothing. While…at Covington…a lady gave me a cushion containing needles, pins, thread, buttons and some other little articles. There is 10 regiments camped here. We are camped 3 1/2 miles from Louisville on a nice level field…we are going to get our over coats toady. We got our overcoats at Covington…[but] our Col. Leonard A. Harris] would not have them for they was worthless…we are going to get a full suit also…I also have 3 blankets, two of them are Seseshion blankets…direct your letters to Louisville, 2 OVUSA care of Capt. Sarratt…T. J. Bond.

  Camp Jenkins, [Louisville], Nov. 29, 1861, in part: …there is 3 or four boys sick with the measles…we have not seen any tents for a long time. The reason was that we have been quartered in Seseshion dwelling houses and they are better than tents but we are quartered in tents now. The 24th regt. arrived here yesterday…I saw Henry Robison [Robinson] from over the river…it surprised me to see him. The first O. V. is 30 miles from here. That is the regt. that Prentis is in. There is about 15 thousand men here…and a regiment arriving every day…we are drawing our clothes again…we get over coats, pants…and a dress suit…we are camped 3 1/2 miles from Louisville…I have made a use of some paper…I captured in a session house…it will last for a week…I was presented with a testament and a nice scarf by a lady of Louisville…Thomas J. Bond.

  Murfreesboro, Tenn., Mar. 8, [1863], in part: …the drum will be for Harry. It will please him very much. Do not ask me anymore about Owens & Stilman…they will have nothing to do with me. That is the reason that I have not said anything about them. The wounded that was here have since died. Their names is E. Matlock & W. Nichols. I found unite a change in the company…there was some faces missing. We think a great deal of our officers. Their names is Col. A[nson] G. McCook [brigadier general 3/13/65], Lieut. Col. [Obediah C.] Maxwell [WIA Chickamauga, 9/20/63 & bvt. brigadier general 3/13/65] and Maj. Batty [William T. Beatty WIA Perryville, KY 10/8/62 & POW Chikamauga 9/20/63] our first lieutenant is acting as major of a Pioneers Brigade…T. J. Bond. The original transmittal cover is included.

  Murfreesboro, Tenn., Apr. 26, [1863], in part: …the doctor excused me from all duty. Our hospital is a regimental hospital…the nurse is not very attentive. They do not attend the sick half as well as they ought to. It is nothing but a tent…Pap…could not have got out to this place for Rosy [Rosecrans] will not allow any citizens out here. Our men captured John Morgan's wife the other day and 250 prisoners …our boys…presented our captain with a sword the other day…Thomas J. Bond...

  Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 16, 63, in part: …the sun is most awful hot in the sunny south…we are going to stay here all summer. I hope we will for it is a nice place and I do not want to march anymore while the war lasts…Frank said he did not care how much Kirk Sheves goes with Gin Scott for…he is going to New Hampshire to get a woman for his wife…tell Mel to tell that tall flaxen haired, cucumber nose & beautiful girl to get a husband…soldiers want nothing to with a wife of a rebel …they want nothing to do with a Southern belle for we see enough of them…tell her to to go down in the cellar and get a pie…or I will shoot the pistol off and then…she will go . Give her my best respects and a mince pie. Tell her she never gave me that pin cushion that she promised…Uncle Charles…will not believe that is my picture…I did not think that I had altered so much…so that no person would know me…Frank said he danced 3 sets last night…he was at a dance at Col. Scribner's. There was several ladies there. We have some fine times and a serenading. We have a guitar…banjo, violin…brass flute and four singers. we were out last night…did not get back till 2 o'clock this morning…some of them is out tonight again…Thomas J. Bond.

  Murfreesboro, Tenn., May 30, 63, in part: …let the girls of Alexandria start all the reports they please. They will not hurt me…I know that they are not true. I know it was not long after she saw the letter [that] Frank received…hur [letter] and also hur photograph and the report about Frank dressed in a rebel suit and burning a [? It] is not so for he has not been away from camp since we came back. He is at General Scribner's Head Quarters. Now he belongs to his escort. He has to carry orders to the regiments in our brigade. He do[es] not have nay more hard tramps…he has a horse to ride and he carried a saber like the one Uncle Ed has…if the Rebs should come after us they will go away…for they will not want…we have got some big dogs in our forts. When they bark it is not good for the health. Rosy has started a soap factory in the vicinity of Murfreesboro. He is making quite an improvement in property…Thomas J. Bond.

  Losses at Chickamauga Letter:

  Chattanooga, [Tenn.], Oct. 9, 63, in part: …the Rebs is in close proximity to us us. Their pickets and ours exchange papers every day. We can see their camps from where we are very plain…they are only 1 mile apart. They disturb our slumbers by throwing 3 or four shells over every night but we have got so used to them that we do not mind them very much. We generally give them 3 or 4 every night. The Rebs is deserting every night and coming into our lines. Soke Haines is out in front of us. He is lieutenant in some Arkansas Regt. Gen. Baird had command of our division the time of the fight and Col. Scribner was in command of our brigade. We have not heard from any of the boys that was taken. We do not know whether they are killed or taken prisoners or not but I think they was taken prisoner. Our brigade had 1800 when we went into the fight and now we number 900 for duty…our Regt had something over 400 now we have 190 left…our company had 41 men now we have 24 so you may know how we lost, but we only know of one being killed and 3 wounded. There was 7 or 8 companies from Jefferson County represented in the fight and they all done well. I received Charley's picture and put it in my knapsack…it was lost…I lost everything that I had. I lost one of my flannel shirt. Our boys lost everything that they had…we do not like the state of Georgia quiet as well as we did some time ago for it is most too hot for the Yanks bullets fly most to thick…Thomas J. Bond.

  Camp near Chattanooga, [Tenn.], Dec. 19, 63, in part: …I have set myself to answer it immediately. It found me in plenty of rations for I have about 200 wight of flour that I helped capture last night. The 30th OVI and 52nd came in from Knoxville and I seen Mart and Doc Dun. Mart looks as ever and as big a devil as ever…and Doc looks the worse [for] the wear for they have had a very hard march. A great many of them was barefooted and ragged for they marched about 300 miles since they left here. They went to Bridgeport [Ala.] yesterday. I was over and took dinner with John Hutton…there is too stags in my tent besides myself…we have a large fine place and keep up a good fire…we have 3 blankets and a Reb quilt to cover us with…I do not think we will move away from here before spring for we have not got the rail road finished to Bridgeport…and cannot get rations enough to leave before spring. We have been on 3/4 rations for some time and we can get along with them very well…Thos. J. Bond. The original transmittal cover is included.

  Camp near Chattanooga, [Tenn.], Dec. 30, [1863], in part: …there is a great many regiments [re] enlisting for 3 years in the veteran service, but I do not think that many of the 2nd OVI will enlist…they will get out of one service first and then we will talk about it. The 38 OVI, 38 Ind. and 9 Michigan started home all veterans. They will not get me in a hurry again…I did not have quit a nice Christmas as I did last year but I had plenty of doughnuts and sweet cakes, but that is all I had…I baked them myself…I would have had something better but eatables is scarce as hen teeth…there was quit a dance just blow our camp last night, but I was not at it…Thomas J. Bond.

  Camp near Chattanooga, [Tenn.], Dec. 31, [1863], in part:…there is a quite a number of the Army of the Cumberland enlisting in the veteran service for 3 more years but I do not think that many of our regiment will enlist till they get out of the one that they are in. If I should ever go in the service it will not be in [the] infantry…it will be in the navy. I sent a lot of grafts of different kinds of fruit that I got off of the top of Lookout Mountain. I sent them home for I wanted some of the fruit form the mountain…we have about 8 months to serv U. S. and then we will enjoy the pleasures of home once more for I am not going to enlist till I see some of the men that is at home come and trys it…and see how they will like it. Thomas J. Bond. PS the men are firing off guns in honor of the new year approaching. T. J. Bond.

  Condition

  Range in condition from poor to good, typical folds and toning. All letters include a typed transcription. Additional paperwork detailing Bond's service is also included. 
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