This Civil War soldier letter was written by John Gilman who served initially in Co. C, 21st OVI, (3 months) and after he was discharged from that regiment he enlisted as a corporal in Co. A, 14th Ohio Infantry.
Sometime prior to the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863, John was promoted to a sergeant. He was mortally wounded in that battle, shot in the hip. He died three or four days afterwards.
TRANSCRIPTION
Camp Coburn, Kentucky
November 16, 1861
Dear Brother,
We stayed in Camp Calvert at London till we got the ground all tramped up into a mortar bed, then moved into new quarters about one mile south of town. We pitched tents in our new quarters Tuesday afternoon. We walked hard all the rest of that day and till about half past two the next day in leveling off the ground, cutting and carrying pine boughs for beds, and fixing up things generally for a long stay. Just as we got things arranged in good order, we were ordered to pack up and be ready to strike tents in fifteen minutes. In a few minutes came an order to draw two day’s rations, have them cooked and put in our haversacks. About 7 o’clock we started on the march northward.
The day had been uncomfortably warm. We come through as far as Wildcat that night. It was a beautiful, clear night, but a little too warm for a forced march. It was about one o’clock when we stopped at Wildcat. The distance was 14 or 15 miles which I consider good traveling over such roads, most all hills and mud with our knapsacks on our backs.
The next day we come to Mount Vernon. We put ahead full drive. The artillery couldn’t keep up. We arrived in this camp yesterday afternoon, whole distance from London 40 miles. After we had traveled one night and most all next day, the Tennessee regiments were ordered back again to Wildcat. Something is up but what it is, I don’t know. It is reported that Old Jollywhopper [Zollicoffer] is coming around behind us to cut of our supplies. He has left Cumberland Gap but whether he’s around in this part of the world trying to play a trick on this brigade or has gone to Bowling Green to assist Buckner is a matter of speculation with all except the General officers and I have my doubts about their knowing much about it.
We loaded our tents in the company wagon and have not seen them since. The last three nights we slept or rather staid in sheds, barns, corncribs, and in fence corners, and a jolly time we had of it too. Just as we left Wildcayt Thursday morning the rain began to pour down in torrents and kept it up all day. The next day Friday it was clear and cool and by night our clothes were tolerably dry. Last night was the coldest of the season. The Chaplain went to town (Crab Orchard) and a few of us took possession of his tent but it was so cold we couldn’t half sleep and had to get up and stand around the camp fires. As soon as the baggage arrives, we will probably move on. I would not be surprised if we should go around by way of Louisville to meet Old Buckner.
The removal of Frémont is universally denounced. It was the worst move the Administration had made.
I saw Wm. Cummings about a week ago. He is in the 38th Regt. He was well then but had been sick.
Mr. and Mrs. Rudebough are in this regiment. Rudebaugh is Ordnance Sergeant. That is all I know about them.
The paymaster is expected to make his appearance in a few days. If he does, I will send you some money. Have you got my black overcoat that I sent from Camp Dick Robinson? If you have not, go or send to Sheldon & Bergert’s Store, No. 66, Summit Street, Toledo, and get it. It was sent in Lieut. Pugh’s trunk with your name on it. — Jno. Gilman