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Linus Anthony Patrick served with Company K, 121st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was killed in battle at Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia.

Correspondence from Linus

January 9, 1863

New Haven Kentucky
January 9th 1863

My Dear Father

We arrived at this place to day & were very agreeably surprised to find our old friend Josh Gregg here waiting for us with a great big box full of nice things from home. We feel happy indeed to think that while we are enduring the hard-ships of a soldiers life for the sake of preserving the best of countries, we are not forgotten by our kind friends at home who are preserving the peaceful avocations of civil life - the things were messed up some as they had to be examined & replaced at Louisville, but they came through as well as could be expected; nothing was seriously damaged. Joe Moore found a can peaches spilled in his boots & a few other trifling accidents occured. I believe was all the damage the things sustained. My boots fit very well & are very good ones for the kind, but I would have been much more pleased if I could have gotten a pair of Bob Moores like make Joes & Jacks, but I am willing to put up with these for the present & will have Bob to make me a pair this winter for the muddy spring weather we have had had quite a chase after old John Morgan within the last ten days, but it is unnecessary for me to give you the full details of the matter as Josh will give you all the particulars as we give them to him, suffice to say that the thing was not properly managed or we could have either captured old Morgan or hurt him pretty badly. Colonel Haskins of the 12th Kentucky had command of the forces If Col Reid could have had his way I think the thing could have terminated differently - this is the first flight we have had tents to sleep in since the 31st of December & since that time we have marched 100 miles & it has rained two or three days & nights. During our march from Campbellsville to this place we come through some of the most God forsaken Country I ever saw, but this is a very nice place surrounded by a very nice country. How long we will stay here I do not know, but I think we will go south before long probably to Memphis or Nashville Tennessee - The boys are all very thankful to their friends at home for the things sent them & also to Josh for being so kind as to bring them down. We all return our sincere thanks to Granny Slater, Aron Grabiel George & others for donating so liberally toward sending our things - I rec'd Mothers & Lucys letter, give my respects and love to the family - I believe I have nothing more to write this time so I will close hoping to hear from you soon

Believe me to be as ever your affectionate Son
Linus

(Top of Last Page): Send your letter via Louisville to follow Regt.

March 4, 1863

Franklin Tennessee
March 4 1863

Dear Father

I received a letter from Lucy yesterday which said you had not heard from me since I sent the money home I wrote to you since we came here but I suppose had not recieved it when you wrote last, you need not think I have forgotten you yet - Six Companies of our Regt are quartered in town & the other four are across the River- Our pickets have had a little brush with the Enemy almost every day & night since we have been here A force consisting of five Regiments of Infantry, three Regimants of Cavalry, & one Battery started toward Columbia this morning - Columbia is twenty four miles from here & they say the Rebels are in force there - there was quite a fire here day before yesterday & if the soldiers had not taken hold of the Engine & pitched in generally, one whole block would have been burnt down & it might have burnt before I would have lent a helping hand to put it out - This was a delightful town once, but it has played out all the young men are in the Rebel Army - the Rebels feel the war in this town,they being Rebels can not get passes outside our lines to get wood & they have to cut down the shade trees on the side walks & in their yards for wood & as we destroyed a flouring mill they are hard up for something to eat - John Douglas of our company died Sunday morning She (?) is not well yet he is over the River do not fail to go to Bellefontaine & get those photographs taken from the picture I sent home from Cincinnati - we rec'd letters from Indianapolis which stated that three of the Mt. Victory Boys who deserted have been arrested

I got the postage stamps - I got a letter from home yesterday - Don't fail to get the photographs - no more this time write soon and send your letter same as before

Your affectionate Son
Linus

March 17, 1863

Franklin Tennessee
March 17th 1863

Dear Father

Your kind & ever welcome letter was recd yesterday & I hasten to send you an answer I have been unwell for about ten days I came to the Hospital day before yesterday, the Doctor thought I would soon get better if I would come to the Hospital where I would have a good soft bed to sleep on & take good care of myself - I am able to walk around a good part of the time ~ They are using a large Seminary for a Hospital & it makes a very nice one, but give me health and the tented field in preference for this place - Emerson [Silas Emerson] is in the same Hospl I am, sick with the measles, so you see our company is in a bad condition - Old Glover [Joseph F. Glover] has sent in his resignation & is waiting for his papers so he can return home - the old fellow has been very friendly to me since he has been here & has brought me any thing I wanted to eat since I have been sick - I rec'd a letter from Leon Manning the other day & he said you had been reading some of his old letters that I sent home, he was very mad about it - If Dave Barnett Of Belle-Centre calls on you for four dollars and seventy five cents ($4.75) pay it to him I owe that amount to John Barnett & he wants I should have you pay it to Dave as I am sick I guess you had better send me 2 or 3 dollars - Tell John McCulloch I rec'd his letter of March 2nd in due time & would have answered it before this if I had been well - I rec'd a letter from Dobie and Willis Carson two or three days ago but I can not answer it now - I also rec'd one from Dave Dorman - If you see Dave or his folks give him my best wishes & tell him I do not blame him for going home - Three of our Mt Victory boys have come back to the company but George Araie[?] & two Mt Victory boys are still gone - I suppose you have seen by the Cincin Coml of The 7th & 9th inst that we had quite a fuss near this place 10 or 12 days ago If the people want to know what the Democrats in the army think of Vallandingham let them write to Andy Sweeny he is a democrat & so am I but Gods not a traitor yet - I have had Rebels tell me that Ohio had one good man & that was Vallandingham If the soldiers have the privelege of voting they will show the people how many friends vallandigham has in the army - write soon direct as before

Your Affectionate son
Linus
Peach trees are in bloom
here & the people are making [illegible]

April 12, 1863

Franklin, Tennessee
April 12th, 1863

Dear Father

I sit me down this evening to send you a few lines thinking perhaps you may be anxious to hear how Co "K" 121st O.V.I. Is coming on- Well in the first place we had a little fight here day before yesterday - About 12 o'clock a few thousand Rebel Cavalry thought they would dash into Franklin & feel for us - The Old 4Oth O.V.I. was on picket over the River 800 strong - (one Regiment goes over the River on picket each day besides the cavalry out posts) The 40th has been in the service over a year & was never in a fight and the boys were spoiling to get at the "Grey Backs" - The Rebel Cavalry charged on the pickets who fell back on the reserve in good order, keeping up a brisk fire all the time - The Rebels charged on the Regiment several times but the Buckeyes stood their ground, driving them back every time

Some of the Rebels run our sick soldiers from the hospital to the River & were shot by the guards at the pontoon bridge within one hundred yards of where the bridge crosses over into our camp

Our 32 pound siege guns opened on them about 1 1/2 [1:30] PM shelling the woods for miles & killing any quantity of "Grey Backs"- We marched out yesterday morning at five o'clock about 3 1/2 miles out the Murfreesburo Pike to relieve the 125th and 113th O.V.I. who stood there the night before - when I said we marched out I should have said the 98th & 121st O.V.I.

We remained there until 3 P.m. & seeing no Rebs we returned to camp The Rebel caught thunder day before yesterday & if they undertake to take this place I think they will have a nice time - Lieut Col Banning of the 125th O.V.I. has been assigned to the command of our Reg. & a good officer he is too - he has been a Capt in the 4th O.V.I. ever since thc war broke out - he "commanded the 87th O.V.I. in the three months service last summer- I understand John Heagi drove in the Harris pickets the day of the election when a brisk engagement ensued

Bleage being the best maneuver outflanked Harris on the left and got a raking fire on him which Harris after sustaining a few minutes with heavy loss, broke and fled in confusion, he again rallied to charge on his assailant but his artillery being inferior to that of Bleage he very wisely fell back on Johnny Koutmans Ale Keg - We expect to be paid off tomorrow the paymaster has been over to nag us of twice but we were on picket both days - the 88th were paid off last Wednesday - my respects to all my friends Yours for the Union

Linus

We got lots of good new cloths today

Postscript p.1: Did McCulloch get my letter requesting him to write to west & how my commission made out? Glovers resignation is accepted he took my recommendation to Columbus when he went home- have Mc do this if hes not done it

April 15, 1863

Franklin Tennessee
April 15th, 1863

Dear Father

Lucy's letter of April 10th containing Internal Revenue Stamps was received to day and I hasten to send you an answer I believe I wrote you a few lines since we had the brush here last friday but to tell you the truth I have been so awful busy the last few days that I cannot remember to day what I did yesterday - I want you to take that picture to Bellefontaine and get those photographs taken right off. I wish you had not waited to write to me for you might have known I wanted them but get them taken now - Last sunday we drew plenty nice substantial clothing and on Monday we received two months pay - So we are well clod and have plenty of "Green Backs" in our pockets Uncle Sam has given us good clothing & paid us up to the lst of March and why should we not be contented & happy & willing to fight for him - I sold that note for $220 cash & I drew two months pay which was $40 making in all $260. I sent home $150 by the State Agent the receipt for which you will find in this letter, I kept $110 as I may need some this money you will draw through the County Auditor you will probably receive this letter before the money reaches Ohio as the Agt is not going to leave here until next Monday & I saw a Regt of East Tennessee Cavalry lost Saturday Father why is it that those men, who live in the very heart of rebellion & are surrounded on all sides by Rebels and traitors rush to the support of our common country and are willing to lay down their lives for the preservation of the glorious liberties we enjoy while hundreds & thousands of men in the great loyal state of Ohio where the iron hell of oppression has never trampled them in their wish openly avow their sympathies for [Jeff Davis and his] rotten confederacy?

The day of Retribution is coming when the home traitors of the North will meet their just reward - Hell with its wide extended jaws is gaping to receive the cowardly, traitorous wretches - The Butternut ticket "Kinder played out" did it? Bully for that - Some person wrote to one of our Company that there was not a Rebel Sympathizer in Rushcreek Township heaven only knows I hope it is true - Lieut Henderson 1st Lieut of Company "A" of our Regiment has been assigned to the command of our Co and I am glad of it for it takes the responsibilities off of my shoulders

He is a good officer and a noble hearted fellow, he has been recommended for Capt of our Company, the boys all like him first rate & he & I get along as well as two men possibly could - he lives in Union Co Ohio - he is acquainted with Jesse Roberts as he is a member of the Campbellite Church - when you receive the money of which I am sending home I want you to pay all the debts I owe - you can then post this notice up in the Post Office - Ask John McColloch if he rec'd that letter & if he wrote to west - I believe I have nothing more to write this time so I will soon close hoping to hear from you very soon - Direct as usual Nashville Tennessee to follow Regt - My love to the family & respect to all my union friend

Yours for the Union Unconditionally
L. Anthony Patrick
Co. "K" 121st O.V.I.
Right Brigade
Gen Gilberts Command
Franklin Tennessee

Postscript bottom right corner: I understand that the reason the Rebels made that dash the other day was that they had heard we had but twenty five hundred men here but I rather guess if they should count them they would find that many thousand

Post script bottom left corner: old Johnny Wintz the way worn warstained & weather beaten soldier is married is he? He [illegible] a gay old soldier if he was married along with a full Knapsack & tired to death I should see some old horseshoes lying in the road he would nick them up He used to do that in Kentucky

April 27, 1863

Franklin Tennessee
April 27th 1863

Dear Father

Lucy's letter of April 21st received yesterday & I take the first opportunity of sending an answer. I need more money than I kept. You will therefore send me ($30) thirty -dollars of the money I sent home as soon as you receive it. We are fortifying this place and one or two weeks more will make a strong position of it - A force of Cavalry went out this morning about three oclock - There being some demonstration made in front - and returned a while ago with over a hundred prisoners, their horses, equipment & c - The Rebs were on picket to stand seven days but the Yankees relieved them before their time was out - The health of the Army here is good & improving everyday - the men are rapidly becoming well drilled & disciplined, they are mostly new troops raised last fall The Artillery & Infantry is Ohio, Indiana & Illinois Troops - the Cavalry is Michigan Pennsylvania & Kentucky troops we are all in good spirits & all we ask is for the people at home to support us and we will save the Country or die in the attempt Our motto is to "Put our trust in Old Rosey' and keep our powder dry"

I believe I have nothing more to write this time so I will close hoping to hear from you soon.

As ever Your affectionate Son
Linus

May 3, 1863

Head Quarters Company "K"
121st Regiment Ohio Vol Infty
Gilberts Brigade Grangers Division
In camp near Franklin Tennessee

May 3rd 1363

Dear Father: Your favor of April 30th is at hand and contents noted. I owed Cox, Kautsman, William George & Bob Moore probably some others I can not think of If you doubt their accounts have them swear to them & a man who will swear to a lie to obtain money from a Soldier dishonestly will do any thing - I believe I owed Stephen Stilwell some - Abe Hatcher is sick in Hospital - the rest of the boys are generally well

The first two letters of the mans name who wrote that there was not a Rebel sympathizer in Rushcreek Township are Duncan Hatcher

Our Regt as well as the Regts composing our Brigade, started out on a scout Friday morning at Two oclock A.M. and marched about Seven miles south of here toward Columbia - The Rebel Pickets retired as we we were marching out and followed up and fired on our Rear Guard coming in

You may send me two or three of those photographs - give one to Ben Odor's widow. Send one to John Cutting & Keep the rest for my disposal - Nothing of interest occurring here at present. the work on the fortifications goes quietly on - Tell Slater he had better keep a white rag in his shop to hoist in case of a sudden attack by the butternuts

If Muslins are so high that be does not deal in that article any more he can, send down to the long brick and get a piece or if they have none he can Get McCulloughs Signal flag or if he cannot get that he can stand in the door and stick out his shirt tail

Shall I send to the Editor of the Nashville Union and have him send you a copy of the Nashville Weekly Union for one year? It comes at one dollar per year and is one of the best Union papers published in the United States - No more at present

Write Soon
As Ever your obedient Son
Linus

June 26, 1863

Murfreesboro Tenn
June 26th 1863

Dear Father: I left Nashville on the 23rd and came to Triune and found our troops all gone. I stayed all night and came within five miles of here the next day. I borrowed a horse of the 6th[?] Ky Cav to carry me through. I got here yesterday - It has been raining for three days & the roads are awful as hundreds of wagons travel over them every day - All our baggage and some of our boys are here - the boys with the Regiment have nothing with them but a rubber blanket a piece - Rosecrans whole army is moving - there has been fighting every day since they have been moving between our cavalry and the Enemy there has not been much Infantry fighting yet This is the stillest movement I ever heard Of - Rosecrans Army left here day before yesterday morning & the Nashville dailies yesterday knew nothing of it - Rosecran's Head Quarters are ten miles out the Woodbury Pike - our Army Corps (Grangers) is ten or twelve miles out on the Shelbyville Pike - I think a general engagement will take place soon The trip from Triune here through the mud and rain has almost made me sick again - I Saw Leander Miller this morning - his Division (Van Cleves) is holding the fortifications here - No More

As ever Your Son
Linus

September 7, 1863

Cowan Station Tenn
Sept 7 1863

My Dear Father

Your Kind favor of Sept 3rd was received this evening and I hasten to send you an answer.

That we have moved from Shelbyville to Fayetteville and from there to this place, you have doubtless heard 'ere this, so that it is unnecessary for me to say anything more upon the subject

Am very much obliged to you for the shirt - hope I may be able to repay you for your Kindness to me in sending so promptly everything I send for.

That Rosecrans is moving on Chattanooga, you have heard 'ere this - The right, left and centre corps of the Army have moved forward some time since and most of them are across the Tennessee River - everything looks favorable to a big fight at Chattanooga and I only hope that I may have a finger in the pie.

Burnside is rushing down through East Tenn on our left flank and will strike simultaneously with Rosecrans - when last heard from, he was near Knoxville. It may take Rosecrans some time to take Chattanooga, but he will take it so sure as the Rebels make a stand there, which they undoubtedly will as the place is well fortified, it being a natural fortification, You need not be uneasy, nor think that Rosecrans might move more rapidly, he is a cautious Genl and moves slowly, but surely - his base of operations is now 150 miles from his base of supplies and his main transportation for subsistance, is the Nashville and Chattanooga Rail Road, which it takes a small Army to guard, for should his communication in that direction be cut off, his Army would indeed be in a precarious situation, and should he be defeated, And that communication cut off he would still be in a worse condition, for he would have to retreat over the Cumberlands Mountains, where ten miles square would not afford enough forage to feed a whippoorwill so it is better that he should be six months in taking the place, than that he should be defeated - If the Rebels stand the siege and their communication can be cut off between Chattanooga and Atlanta, we will then have them in good shape to capture Braggs whole Army, I think by putting our trust in Rosey and keeping our powder dry, that we will come out victorious, for the western Army has never yet suffered a defeat, except at Perryville, and the Rebels lost probably as many in Killed, wounded and prisoners there as we did and left the field to us next morning.

Col Reid came up from Shelbyville this evening and the other three Regts of our Brigade will be here to night and tomorrow morning we will start at six oclock for Bridgeport, on the opposite side of the River from Chattanooga.

I may not have another opportunity of writing again for some days, but will write the first opportunity - would write at more length to night, but have two or three other letters to write and time forbids that I should write at much length - Hope you may have success in electing a Union man for Gov this fall, I have no right at the Ballot box (not being of age) but I have got my good right arm and have also got the muscles and the will and am just as good a man at the cartridge box as any of 'em

Moore's boys, Bit - Rumer Bill Webber, Vance Warnick, Geo Church and in fact all the Rush Creek boys are well and ready for the onset

Well I must close - Give my respects and best wishes to any friends I may have in Rushcreek - tell them all to go forward in the discharge of their duty as becomes an American citizen in a time like this when the nation is struggling for life and liberty - while enjoying your self at home, please think of the boys who are marching over the mountains in Tenn (with sore feet) for the purpose of meeting and vanquishing the Cursed Rebels and thereby aiding to crush this infernal damnable Rebellion and restoring peace to our country - Write soon

As ever your affectionate Son
L Anthony Patrick

November 27, 1863

Sewanee House
Nashville Tenn
Nov 27/63

Dear Brother

I left Columbus Monday night last and arrived at this place last night. If nothing happens I shall start for Chattanooga tomorrow. You have doubtless heard of the fighting at Chattanooga within the last five days, but I do not think my Rgt was in it as they were on this side of the Tenn. River doing guard duty and in fact I know they were not for I saw a Staff officer of our division today who told me they were not in the fight. I am very well and in good sprints - Give my best regards to all the copper heads about Rushsylvania for I think there are plenty of them there Write Soon

Your [illegible]
Linus

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