1863 Civil War Letter from George B. Atkins to his father from Camp Douglas, Illinois

The Texas Republican
Marshall, Harrison County, Texas

Saturday, April 25, 1863

Camp Douglas
Chicago, Illinois

March 19, 1863

Dear Father

I write a letter to ARIE about a month ago, giving a statement of the condition of our company. Since then there have been so many changes in the prospects of nearly one half of us. When I wrote to Arie, there were two dead, H. T. WALKER and W. C. FORD. Since then ten more have departed this life, and now we have two at the hospital whose return, I fear, will be like the all the rest who have gone there; otherwise we are dong as well as could be expected—improving in health, getting plenty to eat, and receiving very good treatment. Money is scarce and no prospects of getting any, and of course, without it, we can procure none of the many delicacies we need when sick.

WILLIAM A. R. D. WARD is also dead. He belonged to Mill’s Regiment and was dead and buried before I knew of his sickness, I being sick at the time. The last time I saw of him, he was improving rapidly from an attack of cold, and seemed to be getting well. The next thing I knew, I saw his death published in a paper. Give my kindest regards to his parents and family, and tell them he did his duty in battle and died the death of a soldier, lamented by all of his comrades and acquaintances. Below you will find a list of the dead of our company since I wrote last:

• A.T. WALKER, Feb. 7
• W. C. FORD, Feb. 19
• W. S. CROWERS, Feb. 15
• W. O. TAYLOR, Feb. 17
• J. H. COIT, Feb. 19
• C. S. BURRAS, Feb. 24
• R. C. GRANBERRY, Feb. 24
• R. C. MELTON, Feb. 28
• J. L. CRAIG, March 2
• C. C. HALL, March 1
• L. G. HAVIS / HOVIS, March 14
• C. KEY, March 19
• J. W. GREEN, March 19

H. F. FERRELL is in the hospital with the smallpox. J. W. GREEN is also there with erysipelas. They were improving when last heard from. Beside these, there are no other serious cases among us.

The detachment of RICHARDSON’S company with us have suffered more than we, losing 7 out of 15 men. As some of them are writing home, I will only give the names of the dead. They are: HAWLEY, HENDERSON, GRAVITT, HINDS, HARRIS, HUDSON, and JARRETT. OSCAR JOHNSON has had a severe attack of erysipelas but is recovering and will be up in day or two. No others seriously sick.

Your affectionate son,
GEORGE B. ATKINS 

Source: http://www.pastvoices.com/usa/atkins-george.shtml

WILSON L. TURMAN, CAMP DOUGLAS, CHICAGO

A 2 page letter (front & back) written by WILSON L. TURMAN during his time as a guard at CAMP DOUGLAS in Chicago, IL.

In the letter, Turman mentions GRANT, SHERMAN, THOMAS and SHERIDEN. He also talks of the stench of the dead carcasses. Turman pens a detailed recipe for beer on the majority of the 2nd page of the letter and signs his name in closing.

The letter in part reads:
" And by the eternal we will only think of it. How will those bruised men black with the smoke of battle coming up through that firey furnace with SHERMAN with GRANT with THOMAS with SHERIDEN and a host of others feel when they see their meanest enemies at home. And tell me not that they do not know them. For a single glance of the ? portrays them for their deeds are written upon their brow and ? that has eyes can read. I am small in stature. But I am a head and shoulders taller when I get away ? things for taller. I try breath a purer air and lifting my thoughts heavenward. The stench from their putrid carcasses fall beneath and the bright sunshine that glitters upon the fields of our banner as she floats over the ramparts of Richmond loomes up and the flames as of olden time seemed to burn up the drops and verify that the sacrifice is exceptable before God Hallalujah the Lord God ? riseth. Let the earth rejoice and all things that are therein. My soul feasts upper. ? things for never did I know what happiness was before for I am so glad that my feeble mind ? the trying scenes through which we have had to pass has stood firm in its purpose and never a weary abrupt disturbed it. And I even I am permitted to stand and view the Promised Land with its returning herds leaping upon the green pastures that returning peace and liberty affords. But these thoughts are abortive. My mind fails to grasp language adequate to express the glory of the future. But glory glory is the out burst of my heart for its glittering streamy rais fill my soul and I will sing it forever and ever in the face of COPPERHEADS in the face of my meanest enemy I will shout. But I must close."

This great Civil War letter is for sale on Ebay Item number: 300322983832