CIVIL WAR LETTER - 42nd Ohio Infantry - ATTACK on Ft Hindman ARKANSAS - WOW !!

Description

CIVIL WAR LETTER
Co. A,
42nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry
(OVI).
This Civil War soldier letter was written by Jasper Stansbury Ross (1841-1923), who first served as First Sergeant of Co. A,
42nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry
(OVI). Ross served in this capacity until mid-1862 when he was offered a commission as 2nd Lieutenant of the company. He later (May 1863) rose in rank to be its Captain and Adjutant for the regiment. He mustered out of the regiment on 30 September 1864 after three years service.
Jasper was the youngest child of Samuel Iverson Ross (1810-1890) and Margaret Stansbury (1812-1843) of Carroll county, Ohio. After the war (1867), Jasper returned to Ohio to teach at his alma mater—the coeducational Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (later Hiram College), then married Mary Louise Buss (1849-1929), and became a clergyman of the Disciples’ or Christian Church.
At the time Jasper attended the Western Reserve, just prior to the Civil War, James A Garfield was serving as the Institute’s second President. Readers will recall that Garfield left his position to assume command of the 42nd OVI in which Jasper served.
I have searched the internet for other Civil War letters by Lt. Jasper S. Ross but have only found references to a couple of pieces written by Ross that were included in a 1912 publication entitled, “
Continuation of historical sketches of the campaigns of the 42nd OVI from Vicksburg to the close of the war
,” housed at the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus. Ross’ two pieces pertained to the Battle of Champion’s Hill and the Battle at Black River Bridge, both penned during the Vicksburg Campaign.
TRANSCRIPTION
On Board the Steamer Empress
near Fort Hindman, 25 miles up the Arkansas
Friday afternoon, January 15th 1863
On Board the Steamer Empress
near Fort Hindman, 25 miles up the Arkansas
Friday afternoon, January 15th 1863
Dear Brother,
With the confusion, noise and shaking that is always found on board a steamer loaded with troops, I take my seat (having lighted a cigar, a few of which I am fortunate enough to have). Shall I not tell you first of the disagreeableness of the weather? Yes, I will. Well, on Wednesday night it began raining and rained so hard that a perfect sheet of water ran through my tent, carry off chips as a river floats a steamer. But I had been industrious enough the night before to build me a bunk by laying a couple of boards upon two cross-pieces which were laid upon stakes driven in the ground, so that the angry current rushed its dampness under me in vain. But about daylight, it began to come through above, but before it wet my covering through, I got up. It rained nearly all day yesterday, an as the troops did not have shelter sufficient for all, they suffered a great deal of discomfort, and I have no doubt many a poor fellow will find his death disease from the last two days exposure.
But I have not done yet. About 3 o’clock P. M. yesterday we came aboard the steamer Empress. This got us away from the mud of camp (which was near six inches deep) but the greater part of all the regiments are placed on the upper decks of the steamers. Here they could not shelter themselves from the rain so well as in camp. Oh! I tell you, it is a sorry time for soldiers under such circumstances. But to add to this suffering, it began snowing in the night and snowed to the depth of some four inches. The snow has not gone off yet. Certainly patriotism must be true that lives and burns amid these privations. I do not refer to myself but to the troops. I have a good room and bed to sleep in on the boat, as also all the officers.
We were to move down the river at 11 o’clock this morning, but are not yet under way.
This Fort Hindman is the same as the Arkansas Post I spoke of in my letter day before yesterday. One week ago this morning our fleet moved up White River (look at the map). We ascended as far as the cut across (a channel between the White and Arkansas rivers). Through this channel we steamed across into the Arkansas River and up to within five or six miles of Fort Hindman (named after the rebel General Hindman).
On Saturday evening our gunboats began the attack. The enemy replied briskly. They had some twenty pieces of artillery—seven regiments of infantry and strong works. The heavy thundering of the artillery shook the old barn in which I was sleeping on a pile of picked cotton.
Sunday morning opened with a bright and hopeful sun. Our brigade was back about one mile and a half from the enemy’s works. We were held in reserve and lay in an old cornfield. While we lay there, I thought of the happy Sabbath day at home, or friend meeting friend in social converse. But this pleasure was not ours. We expected every hour, and [at] the appearance of every aide-de-camp, to be ordered to the front of the fight. By 3 o’clock in the afternoon, our forces had got all around the works and our artillery had dismounted all but two or three of the enemy’s cannon. Then came the order for De Courcy’s Brigade to move to the front. A thrill of excitement ran through the bosom of every man, I think I may truly say, for I believe it was the general impression that we were to be the brigade to charge the fortifications. And this was true as General Morgan afterwards said.
“Lively and rapid was the fire of the musketry and heavily did the artillery thunder forth its malignant bolts. Steadily we advanced. But when we were about to come under the enemy’s fire, amidst the smoke and above the walls of the fort, arose—-a white flag!”
According to order we marched toward the front with countenances gradually settling down into a look of sternness and a more determined tread. Steadily our column wound along the bank of the river, the gold sun of the beautiful Sabbath evening throwing its crimson glory o’er our banners and dancing and glistening along the bayonets. Lively and rapid was the fire of the musketry and heavily did the artillery thunder forth its malignant bolts. Steadily we advanced. But when we were about to come under the enemy’s fire, amidst the smoke and above the walls of the fort, arose—-a white flag. Although I did not see it before it went down, yet I heard them holler the “white flag” and off went my cap with the thousands of others and Oh! how we cheered! The enemy had surrendered!
It was a glad hour for the 42nd. It would almost certainly have been first in the charge. Those who had been firing rushed into the works but those who had been held back marched in by regiments. I got leave of absence from my regiment and went in immediately. Here and there lay men dead and wounded, guns scattered everywhere, and cannon with the muzzles knocked off, wheels off the carriages, or otherwise disabled.
By the time I got in, our men were all over the fort. I looked around some time and looked at some of the principal prisoners, and talked a little to a rebel captain and then came out. That night our regiment guarded about one thousand prisoners. We took about five or six thousand.
It is now twilight and I can hardly see the lines. Perhaps I shall write by candle light.
It is now about 7.30 o’clock and I am writing by candlelight. Well, Enoch, on Monday we took the swords, pistols, knives, and so forth from our prisoners. We had quite a stack of them. These things, however, were to be turned over to the Q. M. (Quartermaster) but before this turning over, I with a a number of others got a few trophies. I got a revolver, a knife, a new scabbard for my sword, and a pair of spurs. I have a few other trophies which I got at other times. I hope I may have an opportunity to send them home soon.
But Enoch, what pleases me as much as anything else, I got a fine cream-colored horse from among the cavalry horses captured. While I act as Adjutant, I am entitled to a horse. So on Monday I went to Colonel Sheldon (our former Colonel, now commanding a brigade) and told him I would like to trade my sorrel for a better horse. As the captured horses had been turned over to his brigade to guard, he told me to go and take my choice from the lot. I chose the one I mentioned. He is a little smaller than Bill, near limbed, fiery, and a splendid riding horse. I like him very much.
At Memphis, while I was on picket, two
darkies
brought in a couple of secesh horses with saddles. When I turned them over to the Provost Marshal he gave me the best saddle and bridle so I am now riding a “secesh” rig. You must not think the horse is mine. His is only furnished to me while I act as Adjutant.
I cannot say what will be our next move. The defeat at Vicksburg was a sad one, wasn’t it? But Rosecrans’ victory makes things look brighter. We are paying a big price if we gain the ultimate victory, and if we finally fail, surely the sacrifice great and sad.
I think, Enoch, that the professing Christians of the North do not pray earnestly enough for our cause. Perhaps this is something you never thought of before. I believe it to be true. You do not profess Christianity (you should begin to think seriously of this though) yet, surely, it would be proper for you, when you lay down at night and when you wake with heaven’s blessings in the morning, to ask God to bless our country and our army. God is not a stock, nor a stone, nor an impenetrable body of sternness, but a kind and willing and able Father who can be asked for blessings as you would ask your father at home for the comforts of life.
Well, Enoch, I have written sufficient for this time. I would like if you write about as long a letter. And again, I must say I have never received any county papers since we were at Cumberland Gap. Now I don’t think it ought to be so, You might send me one now and then.
I presume my books and “traps” generally are all right. Tell me how they are. Give my love to Pap and mother. Tell them I received a letter from them yesterday and received it with eagerness. I shall be glad to get a few words in capital letters from Etna. Help her along all you can. Be patient with her, more so than I used to be with you. Whenever you think she could read a little letter in small words written in capitals, tell me and I will write to her. Tell her and Flora that I want them to be good, romping, laughing girls.
But I must close. Ever your affectionate brother, — Jasper
P. S. Direct to Co. A, 42nd Ohio, Gen. Morgan’s Corps, Army of the Mississippi
Direct very plainly as letters are sometimes lost by not being plainly backed. Put all the above directions on the envelope.
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