Center for Archival Collections

February 2, 1890

J.T. Woods
Surgeon
Toledo, Ohio Feb. 2, 1890

Col Arnold McMahan

My Very Dear Sir

You were very kind indeed to send the documents to me, a kindness that I assure you was not wasted on the desert air. I have been so nearly sick, a part of the time confined to my room with asthma, that I have not had time to look over the Governmt reports more than casually, but what I have read is of utmost value & seemed to me to settle beyond further query the matter as to Steedman & Chickamauga. The account of all others concerned is violently false or that of Steedman is. The account General Smith of Chicago and some others are placed in [illegible] by the cold fingers of official papers. "So mote it be".

Last evening while nearly sick I looked up the manuscript matter and failed to let go until I had completed its reading. I must say that nothing I have read surprised me more. You have written with dignified earnestness and what is more have sustained your points by official papers. You threw a light on Col. Norton wholly new and unexpected to me. I am entirely surprised at the laxities of discipline under him but not so with Col Neibling as everything was to him a democratic caucus. In the matter of returning fugitives I am not so much astonished as I would have been had I not witnessed the same thing myself. Had I not seen Col Stanley Matthews, who commanded the brigade, come with a slave claimant to the tent of our regimental quartermaster (Ned Jacobs of Lima O. a bitter democrat) and demand a runaway, and heard with my ears the demand as well as Jacobs sulphurous reply while brandishing a hatchet & answering Matthews ---- he would split his head open if he attempted to enter his tent unbidden. He did not enter, but while Mr harley was maintained at the front the darkey was spirited away from the rear & his master returned to his plantation a wiser if not a better man. The Q.M. was not disturbed for his defiance of orders & fierce insult to his brigade commander.

These papers evidently intended for a history of the 21 Ohio must be completed and you must do it. Perhaps this language sounds to [too] much like orders, but really is only intended to be persuasive command. Your knowledge is to valuable to lose. It would create a flutter but I think you would enjoy it; at least you would have done your duty. By all means put the account into definite shape, full & complete during your term of service.

I will return the manuscript at any time that I can be reasonably sure of finding you & suppose you desire the reports & book also returned. Please notify me when you desire any or all and they shall be forthcoming.

You have kindly afforded me a pleasure & have the thanks of
Your Friend
J T Woods

July 14, 1890

July 14th, 1890
Col A McMahan

Dear Col

When south I went over the sacred ground with Col Moe. Incidentally I remarked that LaFavor was captured some hours before his command. I noticed that this rather struck Col Moe with surprise, but we passed on. Directly after my return I received the inclosed from Moe which explains itself. I have written him that you were my authority & that I did not see how Smith was seriously harmed even if it were true, as the command was strange to him & at the time & place an accident of this kind might easily occur.

I have desired to see you ever since my return & will do so ere long, but I desire that you have this letter for a time & that you will hand it to me when we meet.

Very Truly, J T Woods

Chattanooga, Tenn., June 23rd, 1890

My Dear Dr

In conversation with you yesterday you were of the impression that Col LeFever was captured some time before the capture of his Reg't ; if you will look at the reports of Gen'l Preston Cols Trigg & Kelly comdg Brigades and Col Hawkins 5th Ky Reg't you will be convinced of your error. Preston says "the 22nd Mich 89th Ohio and part of the 21st Ohio were captured by Triggs and Kellys brigades xxx Cols Carleton & LeFever and Lt Col Glenn were among the Prisoners".

Trigg says after asserting the captives, "Darkness had now fallen" Kelly says "including 2 Cols 1 Lt Col & a number of line officers x x x x"# "after a few minutes the fire reopened continued a short time & ceased, it was the last fire of the day and closed the battle.

"I sent the 3 Field officers to Div Hdqtrs"
Hawkins says 3 Field officers"
Preston says, "it was now moon light,"
Trigg says, reporting the capture, "Darkness had now fallen".
Kelly says, reporting capture, "about this time, the night being far advanced"

Hawkins says relative to capture, "it thus being nightfall" from which you will readily see that there can be no question that LaFavor was captured with his regt after dusk

I thus early advise you because it does Smith (Genl) injustice to accept the claim that LaFavor was captured before the capture of his regt

Dr J T Woods     Yours Truly
Toledo O     S Bruer

July 14, 1890

[Handwritten copy of Woods and Moe letters]
Dr J.T. Woods and Col S. B. Moe
Jw/Re to col Lefavour
Copy from the originals made July, 16/90
Arnold McMahan

Toledo (East) O. July 14th 1890

Col. A. McMahan

Dear Col,

When South I went over the Sacred ground with Col Moe. Incidentally I remarked that Lefavour was captured some hours before his command. I noticed that this rather struck Col Moe with Surprise, but we passed on. Directly after my return I received the indorsed letter from Moe which explains itself. I have written him that you were my authority and that I did not see how Smith was Seriously harmed even if it were true, as the command was Strange to him and at the time and place an accident of this kind might easily occur.

I have desired to see you ever since my return and will do so ere long, but I desire that you have this letter for a time and that you will hand it to me when we meet.

Yours Truly etc
Woods.

Chattanooga Tenn June 23rd 1890

My Dear Dr.

In conversation with you yesterday you were of the impression that Col Lafavour was captured some time before the capture of his reg't. If you will look at the reports of Genl Preston, Cols Trigg and Kelly commanding Brigades and Col Hawkins 5th Ky Regt you will be convinced of your error. Preston says: "the 22d Mich. 89th Ohio and part of the 21st Ohio were captured by Trigg's and Kelly's brigades x x x

"Cols Carlton and LeFavour and Lt Col Glenn were among the prisoners".

Trigg says after asserting the capture, "Darkness had now fallen". Kelly says: "including 2 cols. 1 Liuet. Col. and several line officers" x x x # "after a few minutes the fire reopened and continued a short time and ceased, it was the last fire of the day and closed the battle. I sent the 3 Field officers to Div Hdqtrs. Hawkins says "3 field officers". Preston says "it was now moon light". # Trigg says reporting the capture "about this time, the right being far advanced." Hawkins says relating to capture, "it thus being nightfall." From which you will you will readily see that there can be no question that LeFavour was captured with his reg't after dusk. I thus early advise you because it does Smith (Genl) injustice to accept the claim that LeFavour was captured before the capture of his reg't.

Yours Truly
S.B. Moe

Dr J.T. Woods
Toledo Ohio

MS 562: Introduction | Transcript List
MS 562 Series Description: MS 562: Introduction | 86th O.V.I. Records | Arnold McMahan Papers
MS 562 Abstracts: Part 1 (McMahan Correspondence) | Part 2 (Box 12) | Part 3 (Box 13) | Inventory
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