Civil War Letters

The letters Ely Parker wrote to his family while he was in the Army during the Civil War are in the collections of the American Philosophical Society, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Some of his correspondence is transcribed here with permission. Parker's writings add vivid texture and exciting new details about a war that still captures this nation's imagination. Some of Parker's observations about Southern residents and slaves may be objectionable to readers; however, his exact language was preserved in order to reflect the ideology of 19th-century America.

HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH DIVISION 17th Army Corps, Department of the Tennessee, Vicksburg, Miss.

Sept. 5th, 1863

My Dear Brother Nic:

I write this simply to say to you that I am yet in the land of the living, and enjoying myself after the true fashion of soldiers. I have written to you once before, but have rec'd no answer. I attribute it to the fact that you may be very busy. Please when you have or get time, write and tell me how you have got along. I hope well. Our Division will probably lay here all the fall. There is no telling which way they will move us when we again start. Our winter campaign will be either against Mobile or into Texas. My health is good and I am really gaining in weight. I wish you could keep an eye on my colts at home, or do not let them get hurt.

From your Brother,
Ely S. Parker
Capt. & A.A. Genl.

HEADQUARTERS, Department of the Tennessee, Vicksburg, Miss.

Oct. 7th, 1863

Dear Brother Nic:

I yesterday received a letter from sister Carrie which grieved me very much. She informed me that father was sick and no hopes of his recovery. Indeed she thought that before the letter reached me, he would be no more. If he is indeed gone from among us, it is a great loss. We are orphans, scattered far and wide across this country. We must all do our best. We can feel that our lost parents have gone the course of nature.

Caroline is now probably left alone at my house, and if it is so, I would suggest that you move down with your family and take possession. She cannot take care of everything, and you had better go. I cannot return, for I am bound to the Army until after the war is over. I am now Asst. Adjt. Genl. To Maj. Genl. Grant and will remain so for the future. Direct your letter to Hd. Qrs. Dept. of the Tenn. Vicksburg, Miss.

From your Brother,
E.S. Parker
Capt. & Adj.

HEADQUARTERS, Mil. Div. of the Miss. Chattanooga, Tenn.

Nov. 18th, 1863

Dear Brother Nic:

Yours of the 30th Sept. was this evening received. I thank you very much for it, and I am more grateful to you inasmuch as I believe it is the first letter I have received from you since my entrance into the Army. By the heading of my letter you will perceive that I have not only changed my place in the Army, but my location in the geography of this heathen and God forsaken country. I am now Asst. Adjt. Genl. on Genl. Grant's Staff, who commands the Military Division of the Mississippi, a district comprising nearly ½ of the United States, and having within its limits ½, if not more of the Armies or troops of the Federal Union.

The flower and bulk of the Southern Army is here within speaking distance in our front. A few miles from here, was fought a short time ago, the battle between Rosecrans & Bragg. Before this letter reaches you, another battle will be fought between Grant and Bragg. To my mind the issue or result is not doubtful. Unless Bragg wins, he will be one of the worst whipped men in the south. And upon the other hand, should he get any advantage of us, we will be in a bad plight.

Now Nic, you in the North, who are out of the reach of the noise, excitements and hardships incident to an Army life, cannot begin to realize what war is. As I have said, here lies two great armies within sight of each other. Their whole study and object is to destroy one another. They watch each other with an eagle eye. Daily we hear the rattle of musketry as the scouting parties meet each other. Ands no hour of the day passes that the heavy boom of the cannon is not heard, and the screaming of the shell as it flies through the air, and its final thundering explosion as it bursts, scattering its death missiles in every direction.

Now this is a common and every day matter and no more attention is paid to it by any body that the popping of a frozen tree in mid winter in the north. You think that my fears have been excited from what I have seen and experienced. You never was more mistaken in your life. I would go into a regular battle as calmly as I would go to my meal when hungry, but I do not like to be shot at by unseen foes from behind trees, stumps and logs, as I was on the Mississippi, and with no chance to pay the enemy back. And again, a prudent man, engaged in the business I am now, knows full well that when he goes into battle, he may be going to his doom of death, and if he has an earthly matter to settle, to do so before he goes into such imminent danger.

Now Nic, you may imagine that because I did this, I was becoming frightened. I ordered, when expecting to go to Little Rock, Arkansas, that should I fall in battle, that all the property I owned in the north, should be equally divided between Carrie, Father and you. This Nic, will be my will in case I am killed during the war. Now in doing this, I do not evince fear, but prudence. I fear no rebel bullet, shot or shell in a fair fight and to tell you my honest conviction, I do not believe I am to be killed in the war. I propose by- and-by to come home and settle down once more on my farm, and go to work as all honest men do. Instead of thinking of me as a dead man, I want you to lay up in your mind the conviction that I am coming home again to gladden by my presence the heart of such relations and friends as think well of me.

My official experience in the Army as an Adjt. is checkered, or as some would say, singular. When I received my appt., the Sec'y. of War ordered me to appoint to Genl. John E. Smith; he was delighted to receive me, and made it very pleasant for me. I was getting along swimmingly when orders came for me to report to Maj. Genl. Grant, and he put me upon duty to his Staff. When we reached here, the General's staff had but little to do. I had but little to do, and a Genl. Wm. F. Smith came and wanted to borrow me, and Genl. Grant consulted to lend me. Genl. Wm. F. Smith commands the Engineer Dept. of the Army, and knowing me to be an engineer, he would have me. Now he wants me to leave Grant and stay with him, but I shall not do it, though I shall do the work of the Engineer Troops so long as Genl. Grant wants me. So you see I am making myself useful rendering my services desirable to the best generals in the Army. I am very much flattered and pleased by the kind attentions of all Army men with whom I have been brought in contact officially. As for the common soldier, he does his duty and pays respect to my shoulder straps.

Now respecting home matters, I am glad to know what you have done, and that everything is properly attended to. I want the family, that is, father and Carrie, duly and liberally cared for. They should not want for anything. The farm is large enough to yield a good living, and it should do so. When I left for the Army, I left no money at home, because I had none to leave. I had to borrow $500.00 to fit myself and get to my post. This I must pay from my salary as a soldier, and until it is paid, they at home can expect no help from me, and even not then, for a mortgage which is against me of another $500.00 must be provided for, and other debts amounting to $400.00 more. So you see by my statement that I am really a poor man.

For over six weeks I have been a sick man. In that time, I have lost 30 pounds in weight. I am now gaining, but very slowly. Our feed is, beef, bread and coffee, three times a day. Sleep, almost anywhere. Write me again when your time permits. Watch the papers for news from here. A great commotion is about to take place again among these hills. My regards to the Mrs. & children and to Mr. & Mrs. Wright.

From your alive Brother,
Ely S. Parker

Headquarters Military Division of the Mississippi

November 21st, 1863

My Dear Sister:

It is now two or three days since I received your last letter written at home and mailed from Batavia. That makes the third or fourth letter I have received from you since I left home. I am thankful to hear from you at all and therefore do not complain. The home news generally gave me great pleasure, particularly that relating to father's gradual recovery. Ever since you wrote of his failing health, his extreme sickness, and the despair of the doctor to save him, I have been quite wretched in feeling. Your news has almost wholly relieved my mind.

Of course my letter informing you of my own misfortunes has been received. I am not well yet, but I am constantly on duty and this may be one reason why I do not recover more rapidly. I am slightly disappointed about our crops at home, but I rather think that it is more probable that we have been as well favored as our neighbors. Most of our crops are good and we should be very thankful that the Good Spirit has been so kind to us.

I met with quite an accident today. I lent my horse to an officer to go across the river a few miles, and in coming home, as he was crossing the bridge, the horse jumped into the river and was drowned. This makes for me an investment of $150 in this miserable country.

You may like particularly to know just where I am and just what kind of country it is, and the character of the people who occupy it. Well, if you will look upon a map of the U.S., up in the northwest corner of the state of Georgia, you will see a town marked Chattanooga. It is not in Georgia, but in Tennessee, three miles from the state line and only a few miles from the northeast corner of the state of Alabama. The range of the Cumberland Mountains passes through here. It is nothing more than a continuation of the Allegheny range of mountains and of course very much like them. Father and old Sam both know a great deal about these mountains. The Tennessee River passes through this range of mountains at this point. And here we are among these mountains and our army lies on both sides of the river, which has in some places a flat upon one or both sides. The rebel army are south, east and west of us. In fact they almost surround us. If you understand topography, I would make you a topographical map of this particular section and let you study it. However, I will give you a little idea of my present home.

Our troops are in Chattanooga and the rebels are all around us on the south side from river to river. Commencing at Lookout Mountain, their lines extend around until they strike the river again away above, not so far however, but that our pickets can talk with the rebel pickets. It is very hilly of course, like all mountainous country, and the summits of the mountains are almost inaccessible. The rebels have a great many troops, estimated at 60,000. They fire at us every day with cannon from the top of Lookout Mountain which hangs over our city one-half mile above the plain we occupy. Our guns are on Moccasin Point, about 1200 feet below the big guns on Lookout Mountain, and yet our guns reach them at that high elevation. No day passes that the cannons are not engaged.

Since we came here there has been one little battle fought, in which 500 or 600 men may have been killed. In two or three days a great battle will probably be fought if the enemy does not run away from us. It would have been fought today but we could not get ready. I have had so much to do that I had almost forgotten to write to you. I have known for some days that a great battle was pending, but as I have to do all the writing, I was given no time to think of anything else but my work. And now that the fight has been postponed for a day at least, I concluded to write you. When the great battle is over I will write you again.

The battle will be fought on our side by about 60,000 troops and we suppose the rebels number nearly the same. We intend to thrash them soundly and give the rebellion such a blow as to stagger its longer continuance in this region. General Grant feels confident of success, and so do we all. Many lives will be lost but no one who goes into battle ever thinks that he is the one to be victimized. General Bragg has a great habit of running away when he thinks the enemy opposed to him is his superior in strength. We are afraid that he will do this now and that we shall have had our trouble for nothing, for really our preparations have been on a grand scale. It is no part of our program to relinquish one foot of the ground that we now hold and occupy, and if the rebels propose to drive us back, they must fight most desperately to do it.

The country people of the entire south, so far as I have seen, do not live as well or as comfortable as the Tonawanda Indians. They may, before the war broke out, have had plenty to eat and have been well clothed. But today many of them have nothing but corn, and now and then, meat and seldom potatoes. Wheat bread is almost unknown among them. Our troops are obliged to feed a great many of the whites who have not left their homes and joined the seceders.

The Negroes, once slave of course, are all with us, and are our servants for pay. The country houses are built of logs, generally round logs and chinked up, but very often entirely open, that is without chinks. Any Indian house is better, more comfortable and cleaner. Their clothes are home made, and of a color they call butternut. The men wear butternut pants or coats, and the women, coarse homespun drapes, very much like our old fashioned flannel, usually called domestic flannel. They do not wear hoops, because such articles to be had, must come from the north.

I am now writing only of the whites who have not left their homes upon the approach of our army. Most of the houses throughout the country are deserted or abandoned. Oh Carrie! This is the most desolate country, and no human being can realize or comprehend the dreadful devastation and horrors created by war, until they have been in its track. From Louisville, Kentucky, south for about 100 miles, the original appearances of the country is pretty well preserved. The people occupy their houses, and are apparently quietly pursuing agricultural employments. Their fences are good and you can see fine crops growing, and cattle, horses, hogs and sheep grazing in the pastures. You then begin to come into a desolated, devastated and burnt district, and the further south you go, the more like a desert it looks. You see lone chimneys standing where once may have been a fine mansion - there are no longer any fences around their once highly cultivated fields. Rank weeds now grow all over the land. Probably there is not now one acre cultivated, where before the war, there were 100 acres.

Every village or collection of houses we come to are deserted. Nobody but Negroes lives in them. The windows are all out, and the fine mahogany and rosewood furniture now forms the ornaments of Negro cabins. The fine drapes that white ladies once bedecked themselves with, with hang shabbily upon the ungainly figure of some huge, dilapidated Negro wench.

We occupy Chattanooga, and we have no southern whites among us, except the poor, "White trash", and they are so poor that they can hardly speak the English language. Oh! It is really a pitiful sight to see these people suffering to the extent that by-and-by we are going to withdraw our troops from the country and relinquish the country and consent to a separation of the American Union makes them endure all this suffering and humiliation. Sometimes our troops come upon these people so suddenly, that they have only time to escape with what they can carry on their backs, leaving their comfortable houses for our poor soldiers to luxuriate in.

We are now having Indian summer weather. It is very delightful and pleasant. In a few days will commence our winter weather, which last until about January, and in March and April we having rainy spells. We are here in the ancient homes of the Cherokee, and our present quarters are only about 12 miles from John Ross' old home. By-and- by as I see more of the South, I will give another history of it. My letter has reached its 7th page, I do not think you will find time to read it, and I will close, hoping that the Great Spirit may protect you all and keep us all safe until by his kind providence we are permitted again to see each other.

From you brother, Ely S. Parker

Nashville, Tenn.

Jan. 25th, 1864

Brother Nic:

Presuming that your ignorance of my whereabouts has kept you from writing to me, I improve this opportunity of sending you a few lines. I believe I once wrote you saying that I was on duty as an Asst. Adj't. Genl. To Genl. J. E. Smith's Division. I remained with him until the latter part of September when I was relieved by Genl. Grant and ordered to report to him for duty. Since then I have been with Genl. Grant as one of his Asst. Adj't. Genl. He has two, Lt. Col. Bowers, and myself. His Chief of Staff, Genl. Rawlins, has one and that makes three of us in the office.

I joined Genl. Grant at Vicksburg, and in a few days after I was taken sick with the fever. While I was sick, orders came from Washington for Genl. Grant to go to Chattanooga. In less than six hours, the Genl. and Staff were all aboard of a steamboat in motion for Cairo. I of course, was in a Doctor's charge, but I recollected nothing after reaching my stateroom until 10 or 15 hours after. I do not suppose the doctor left me many minutes at a time. For he afterwards told me, that he thought I was going to die; and indeed at one time he believed I was dying, as my pulse apparently died out and my extremities began growing cold. In a few days I was all right again, and rode over 60 miles on horseback. In the few days I was sick, I lost over 30 pounds in weight, and I have been very slow in picking it up again. I was quite well when the 5 days fight at Chattanooga took place. Four days of that time I was constantly on horse, and consequently I had a relapse of the shakes. The Doctor checked the complaint at once, and I am again very well but of course greatly reduced in flesh.

We moved our Headquarters from Chattanooga on the 1st of the month to this place. We shall remain here the balance of the winter. The 5 days battle at Chattanooga was a splendid affair - I saw the whole of it, and was as much under fire as the General himself. Only one of our Staff was wounded at that time. He has now fully recovered and is again on duty at Ringgold, Georgia. We were in great danger. The enemy slaughtered our men dreadfully. General Hooker's Headquarters was almost on the front, and as we did not reach the scene of action until after it had commenced, necessity compelled us to ride more than ½ a mile under the enemy's fire to reach Headquarters. The bullets, shot and shell did whistle fearfully and wickedly all around us, but no one of the staff was hurt. I was very much surprised at myself, for I was not in the least alarmed, but on the contrary, was at the time greatly pleased at being in the midst of battle. I have at no time experienced any unpleasant sensations in riding over a battlefield among the dead, dying and wounded. I admit that it is a most shocking sight to look upon, but generally we have other & more important matters to think of that does not permit us to yield to feelings of sympathy or pity.

The country about Chattanooga is very mountainous. It was originally the home of the Cherokee. Four miles from Chattanooga is possibly the birthplace and home of John Ross. I have seen and conversed with many who have been associates of the Cherokee previous to their removal from the country. The Tennessee River runs through the Cumberland Mountains at this point.

The farming or planter population of this section of the country, and in fact of the whole South, have never at any time been as complete or as good livers as our poor New York Indians. They live here in miserable log or block houses with the chimneys stuck on outside. They use old-fashioned fireplaces and sleep upon the floor. In short, as a community they are not as civilized as our Indians. In the villages of course, things look different. Every body who could afford it generally settled in villages. The poor or laboring classes had to remain in the country. Last week I was in Huntsville, Alabama and I give it credit for being the most beautiful village I ever saw or visited in the United States. It is about as large as Batavia (NY), but a great deal handsomer.

Fighting or heavy skirmishing is daily going on at Knoxville. Genl. Grant went to Chattanooga day before yesterday. By & by you may expect to hear of a tremendous battle being fought by Grant in the vicinity of Knoxville.

I am not at all sorry I am in the Army. I like it. When I get tired of it, I may resign. I would like now and then to hear from you. Let me know your plans and intentions. It may control my management of my home matters. Direct Capt. E.S. Parker, Maj. Genl. Grant's Headquarters - Nashville, Tenn. Communications thus addressed will always reach me.

From your Brother,
E.S. Parker

Nashville

Feb. 2nd, 1864

Dear Brother:

The preceding letter was written in anticipation of my being ordered away on special service, which Staff Officers are sometimes obliged to make and are never hear from more. But as I closed I found I was not going, and therefore, laid aside the communication. Upon looking it over at this date I find that it contains nothing improper or contraband, and cannot consequently well avoid sending it, if not for you edification, at least for your information. Since I found the preceding letter I have made myself more acquainted with the City and its vicinity. The City is beautifully laid out in squares, that is to say that every street is at right angles to every street crossing it. The Cumberland River which passes through this city forms its base. This City you are aware, is the capitol of the state of Tennessee and therefore the State House is here, and a most elegant limestone fireproof building it is, and located upon the highest eminences or hill in the city. Very many beautiful residences or country villas are in the vicinity.

The peculiarity of southern life consists somewhat in the wealthy building, princely residences surrounded by magnificent pleasure grounds. One of the best or most tasteful is located about 3 miles from the city. Its pleasure grounds embrace an area of about 10 acres, and very handsomely laid. It is filled with a great variety of shrubbery and two very large conservatories in which may be found some of the richest, choicest and rarest flowers. Fish ponds also abound, in which however, can be found nothing but gold fishes (Brook Trout cannot live there.) There is also water works, a tower 125 feet in height is made, upon the top of which is the reservoir from which water is taken to supply the estate and mansion with water.

The mansion itself is palatial and would gratify almost any sane person, yet it seems not to have been sufficient for this southern Nabob. Every room in this, his living house, is furnished most magnificently. One room alone, size about 14 X 20, being furnished with material costing about $50,000. In a separate house close by and nearly as large and imposing is his amusement room in which are his billiard tables, bowling alleys and bar or wine room, and card or gambling rooms.

In another elegant building was his painters and sculptors studio, whom this rich man kept employed in beautifying and ornamenting his place, for you know that his house was filled with choice paintings, and his grounds with classic statuary. He also had a private chapel, where I suppose he offered up his devout adoration to the living God.

The Hermitage (General Jackson's home and estate,) is about 12 miles from the city. I visited the same on the last day of last month. Our picket lines not extending out that distance, it is considered unsafe for Federal Soldiers to go out there. A Major and myself however, having set our minds on visiting this place, guerillas or no guerillas, armed ourselves capapie with 3 pistols each and trusty sabres, took an escort of 10 men and rode out there. We had a delightful ride and a pleasant visit with Andrew Jackson Donilson, the adopted son of the old general, the present owner and occupant of the estate. The house in which the General lived and died is about 40 years old. Very many interesting and valuable relics are in the house. Among them, Washington's official chair used by him when the seat of the government was in Philadelphia. The old General's tomb is in the garden. The Major and I met with no adventures and returned safely home without having seen a single guerilla. They are said to be about but luckily they did not choose to pay us their compliments. Ex-President Polk's residence was in this city. His monument was erected in his front door yard. A singular taste.

War news at this date is not amounting to much. Fighting at Knoxville continues. Several expeditions are starting upon our whole front and by which we anticipate and hope to gain great advantage over the rebels. We are having most delightful spring weather. The trees have commenced budding out and the blue birds pipe forth their jubilant notes.

When you write, tell me what news may now be stirring among the Indians. Do dissentions and bitter animosities still live and burn among them? Will they attempt the recovery of the Kansas interests and claims? I judge so from the fact that Sam George has been in Washington.

Major General Grant is now I suppose a Lt. General. If he accepts this rank I am afraid we will lose his service in the field, as he will of necessity be compelled to go to Washington. Whether his staff will go with him is yet to be determined.

From your Brother,
Ely S. Parker

Headquarters Armies of the U.S.
Culpepper, VA.

April 8th, 1864

Dear Brother Nic:

I was at home on the first of the month and spent between 2 and 3 hours. I regretted very much that Father was so low. In my opinion it is extremely doubtful whether he ever recovers.

The appearance of things about home pleased me. I am inclined to believe however, that it is too great a tax upon your time, patience and business to expect you to look after my home and interests. I therefore gave Carrie directions to use her judgement and do the best she could. I think she can get along. Yet it would be gratifying to me if you could now and then look in upon her and give such advice as may seem necessary to her success. But if your time is completely taken up with your personal interests, of course this kindness and courtesy cannot be expected. It is an old rule that charity begins at home, and in my experience with the world, I find that this maxim is generally lived up to. And that it is so cannot be complained of by anyone. When ever you can I wish you would help our folks at home in advance. I do not know when I shall get out of the Army, and situated as I am, I cannot give much attention to home matters, family matters I men, for Indian Affairs I have fully eschewed.

Before long a great battle will be fought in this vicinity and I am of the opinion that it will be the bloodiest battle yet fought in this war. We intend to have Richmond taken and the backbone of the rebellion broken before the next anniversary of American Independence. Keep close watch and see how much of a prophet I am. Great preparations are being made for a good opening of the Spring Campaign. Our Headquarters is 6 miles from the Rapidan, which is the present dividing line between us and the rebels. It is an ugly stream but we are bound to cross it before long. My health is good. My regards to your family and to Mr. And Mrs. Wright.

From your brother, E.S. Parker

Culpepper, VA

April 27th, 1864

Dear Brother Nic:

Your two letters were duly received and I shall do what I can for you at the Indian Office although I do not know what influence I now have at that office.

Carrie telegraphed of Father's death. It is a heavy blow to me. I know it is to Carrie. Do what you can to lighten her grief. I could not come up to the funeral because I could not get there in time. Before this reaches you, we shall be fighting all along our lines. I am very well. Just as soon as we have a little rest in our fighting I shall come up for a few days and shall hope to see you.

From you Brother,
E.S. Parker