CIVIL WAR LETTER - 2nd Illinois Artillery - BATTLE of CHANCELLORSVILLE & More !

Description

Civil War Letter
Civil War Letter - Written by Soldier in
Battery I, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery
This Civil War soldier letter was written by William Gardner Putney (1842-1919) was born in Southbridge, Massachusetts, the son of Eleazer Putney (1797-1845) and Lucy Blackmar (1801-1887). He was working as a farmer in Channahon, Illinois, at the time of his enlistment on 1 October 1861.  William remained at Camp Butler until mustered in to the federal service as a bugler in
Battery I, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery
on December 31, and from that point, he served continuously with the regiment until an eye ailment and hernia forced him to enter the  hospital at Savannah on January 20, 1865. He received a discharge for disability on May 20, 1865. After the war, William returned to Illinois and practiced as a physician in Kendall, Grundy and La Salle counties, continuing his practice in Lincoln, Neb., after June, 1904.
William G. Putney’s Bugle
The inscription on the bugle reads: “Presented to William G. Putney, Bugler, By the members of Battery I, 2nd Ills. Arty
.”
The batteries comprising the 2nd Illinois Light Artillery during the Civil War were raised and served more or less independently of one another, predominantly in the western theater. Battery I was among the most active, taking part in the federal invasion of Kentucky and Tennessee, the rear guard actions to secure Kentucky, and the series of campaigns from Chattanooga through the Carolinas Campaign. During their service, the battery took part in engagements at Island No. 10, Corinth, Perryville, Chickamauga, and Chattanooga, as well as numerous engagements during the Atlanta Campaign, Sherman’s March to the Sea, and the March through the Carolinas.
Readers interested in learning more about Battery I, 2nd Illinois L. A. are referred to the book, “Behind the Guns” based on the Civil War writings of Thaddeus C. Brown, Samuel J. Murphy, and William G. Putney (the author of these letters). Clyde C. Walton’ s foreword and narrative discuss the variety of weapons used by the unit, including James, Parrott, and Rodman guns and the bronze, muzzle-loading Napoleons that fired 12-pound projectiles. It also includes an account of the prisoner-of-war experience of Lt. Charles McDonald, biographical sketches of the soldiers, and 18 maps and 5 line drawings.
Transcription
Nashville, [Tennessee]
May 7th 1863
Dear Mother,
I received your letter last night and am sitting at my desk this morning answering it. The weather is rainy and misty this morning and it [is] like some of those days that we used to have after we had worked hard and got 20 acres of corn and then have a good rain, come in and then I would take and play all day long while I would hear your voice hum over some old ditty. But them [days] are passed. I am growing to be a man and you are going towards your grave—although I may reach mine before you do. There is no telling. Time flies rapidly and there has got be some change before long among some of us. But I hope not for we have so far had everything go well and I hope the Lord will permit us to all join once more in a happy band and have a day of rejoicing.
I play on my violin a good deal. It is all I have to comfort me and I keep at it pretty regular. I am getting to be more of a wit every day. I keep the boys in one continual roar all the time to the wonder of all. They are all pretty careful how they talk to me for [ ] go badly over the coals that they don’t like to blackguard that they leave me alone.
The time slips away pretty fast. It won’t be long before the war will be over and then I will. come home and have a good time. All I hope is that we may all keep our heads and feel happy when we come together again.
They are having a great battle [Chancellorsville] on the Potomac and I expect that will carry the day one way or the other. I hope for the best but I am afraid it will not. Tell Ellen that I have not forgotten her nor never shall. Has she grown any since I left? I suppose that all the girls are growing old and are looking for beaus at home thinking that there won’t be many soldiers get out of the army alive. I played for a couple of girls night before last. Had quite a nice time. Had some beer to drink. I shall have to draw to a close for my sheet is getting full.
Give my best respects to all. I did calculate to get my likeness taken and send home but I believe I won’t for a spell. anyway for it has not been long enough to make any change with me since I sent the last. This is from your son in the army, — William G. Putney
Dear Brother,
I received your letter and was thankful that you appreciated my answer to your questions for I did not think that I could give you all that you wanted to know. I think that your project is a good one. Vegetables are high here. Potatoes are a basket here. Everything in proportion. If a man could get a cargo down here, he could make nearly half gain. They are the most money-making article in market because they cannot be got here. I do not know for what reason but if a man could only get them here, he could make an awful pile. How much ground are you going to put in and where is the ground that you are going to plant? And what kind of sauce are you going to sow, I would like to know. Beets would sell well here. I have not saw any here since I came. I should like to come up and help you for a month or so. I think that we could do pretty well. Do you have to pay for the rent of your ground or do you get it free? I suppose that you still live upstairs. It is rather hard for Mother. Have any of you got your garden planted yet? Tell me all about your affairs in regard to your gardening. I should like to hear all about your farming.
The mail has just come in and I got a letter from Julia which I shall answer as soon as I finish this one. We was to have gone out today and tried our ammunition to see whether it was good or not. We have had some of ours since we came into the service and we want to try it and see whether it was good or not but it was such a gloomy day that he thought that he would wait till a better day. There is no sign of a fight anywhere around. All the troops except the battery are to leave town and we are to stay here all summer. I am glad of that for I like this place if it does take a little more money to get along with.
I cannot think of anything more to write this time but may have more to say next time. I will send you a list of all the prices of vegetables in my next letter. Give my best respects to all. This is from your affectionate brother, — William G. Putney
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