[Liberty Warner, April 3, 1862, Murfreesboro, Tennessee]
Camp Van Buren, Murfreesboro
April 3, 1862
Dear Friends,
We are all well and have just completed the bridges here and expect to move 25 miles down the R Road tomorrow. Today we got paid of again.
And I send Pa $25, H. Warner.
$25.00 Liberty Warner
I wrote you a letter containing all the news 6 days or mor ago.
Hot as harvest.
[Liberty Warner, April 19, 1862, Huntsville, Alabama]
[Camp Taylor, Huntsville]
Apr. 19, 1862
Dear friends,
It is with pleasure that I peruse this nice big letter, so lately from home, dated April 14. It finds us all well. George is at Murfreesborough, Tenn., but is not sick or dead. When we started from town, the Capt. told all that could not stand the force marches we ware about to make to report to the surgeon and stay behind. So you see, we are all alive yet. You must never be alarmed because you do not hear from us often. Half of our letters never go through. I have written 2-3 letters to 1 that I have received.
After leaveing Murfreesborough, Tenn. we marched from thence to Shelbyville & laid up there 3 days. Orders then were given to march 28 miles to a little village & in that village that night I stood guard.[illegible - tape damage] immediatly for and arrived at Huntsville, Alabamma the 2nd day. We stoped the sesesh migration verry quick. We captured 17 locomotives, 40 carrs (this being a central point accounts for the number of locomotives), and 200 sesesh soldiers. Col. Norton has been proclaimed provose martial of Huntsville, & the 21st Reg. as guard of the same. Gen. Mitchell has gone on and had a fight with the rebbels, beating them (the rebbels) badly. The 21st will niether see Corinth nor battle without we are attacted.
Our boys are fighting at Corinth like bulldogs. The slaughter is great on both sides. The news of victory sounds beautiful on the ear of a soldier. It makes him think of a good time comeing. Alabamma is a beautiful country. The forests are all clothed in green & a beautiful summer is already broke upon us. We pick greens and get onions, so we have a change of diet. I caught about 100 fish out of a little run close by our [illegible - tape damage] with fish and the land with niggers. Every planter owns from 5 to 6 to 100, the plantations contane from 200 to 9 or 10 hundred & some of them thousands of acres, the houses are splendid, but far apart. The people are all putting in corn instead of cotton, or rather, they have put it in.
I sent home $25 dollars Liut Curry. I suppose you are very scarce of money in that part of the world. There is some Confederate trash here, but it's poor stuff, poor paper, mere daub of a tipe. Some of it has the bust motif of Jeff Davis, our first president.
This sheet is one that I picked up, but I have no other just now. The paper is poor, the writing is worse, and my thoughts I string out on the paper as they come to hand.
Brother Elliott, your letters always come like friends in time of need. I am always very anxious to see the letter backed with your familliar handwriting. When that comes I drop everything and perus its most welcome contents. Since I left you I have seen great many sights, some of the pleaseing and some of the other class. The army is a very exciteing place at first, but after as many hardships as we have seen, nothing can excite much, without it be a letter from home. I had rather see one of cows than Gen. Mitchell or Buell. The Gens. I could only see, but if anyway close [illegible - tape damage] I would play a milking game, I try it on sesesh cows sometime. It is extremely dangerous for a 21ster to go in to a crocery, the stuff laying around naturally sticks to their fingers and the grocer wakes up to find things stept out, no one knows where, it haveing gone down read lane if eatable. You must soon and let me know all about things on the farm, as I think more of things connected there than anyplace else.
Your brother, L.P. Warner
Friend Foote
Your kind letter came with the rest, Sunday 19. I am sitting in my tent this morning, thinking myself luckey in being off duty as it is raining a steady stream this morning. The rain don't hurt me any, only it is a little unpleasant to soak and no dry clothes to put on. We have a verry pretty camp here and a prospect of staying on it here sometime. We have possession of a central point [illegible - tape damage] that goes through to Nashville be great importance to ourselves & enemies. Our reg. has been chosen as an especial guard to keep things right in town, also to guard our prisoners. The rebbels are passing through this town in squads, having deserted the rebbels at Corinth and are on their way home. They say it is the turing point in the war, the place they expect to make a terrible struggle.
L.P Warner
Cousin John sends his respects to you all.
Liberty P. Warner to friends at home.
[Liberty Warner, May 30, 1862, Athens, Alabama]
Athens, Al., May 30, 1862
Dear Friends,
After waiting a long time in vain for an answer to my last letter, I have concluded that it did not go through or yours was somehow miscarried on the long route in comeing through to me.
We are, however, all enjoying good health. We expect our boys that were taken prisoner will be with us in a few days. They are in Nashville at present.
May the 26th we left Huntsville and for the first time since we came from Covington to Nicholasville got a carr ride of 30 miles or thereabouts down to Athens, All. We found the town and the country about it in a sad plight. 2 of our Dutch regiments picked into the stores and plundered them of every thing they wanted and finished up by smashing up the rest.
Parts of the Divition skirmish now and then withe enemy, but nothing of any consequence has transpired yet. And what is more, I do not know that there is any chance for it, although we would jump at the chance of getting a hack at them. The sesech cavelry keeps fooling around. They will get in a bumblebee's nest yet some of these days. Our boys would have no mercy on them at all in any case they should get them in their powers.
We are beginning to get tired of this thing. It has hung on until we are now in fighting order and now we want to fight. We feel as if we had hung around the table some time and now we want to eat. If there is any fighting, we are ready. We have loaded our guns to long and we want to kill the wreches that gorrillo about through the country and make such enormous costs by keeping up the rebellion. There is talk of taking some men out of the Regiment and mounting them on horses to persue those cowardly thieves.
The people are getting rather scarce of grub in these parts. Corn doger made up with water is the staple. Some of the rich has cows that supply them with milk, also plenty of meat. We visit the larders and milk the cows at times. (We are on picket and the boys are chaseing the cows around for milk now). We draged a small porker in out of the dew this afternoon by way of passtime & eattime together. We was a pig when we got him, but we skinned him and changed his name to possom.
When we are hungry, if we cannot get rations, we eter speak for a turkey or some other baste. At times we go visiting to some rich nigger grocer and present our case. They sometimes object, but the sight of our shineing beyonets argue the case. In fact, a bold face and a revolver at the side always wins the grub. After finishing our meal, a cool "muched obliged" takes the conceit out of them. After their feeling for the holfs (?), if everything goes on right, I think these sett of black 21ers will see Ohio before long.
My love to all. Write soon. Write Nashville or any other place. I suppose I have grown a good & since I left home. 140 is my weight at present. It was for a time 150.
Liberty P. Warner, Athens, All.
[Liberty Warner, early July 1862, Elk River, Tennessee]
Elk River, Tenn.
[Early July, 1862]
Dear Parents, Brother & Sisters,
I have for the last two months enjoyed good health and easy times in our pleasant little fort on the banks of the Elk River. There is two companys of us here and no camp guard is placed around us to keep us from walking out as far as the pickets. If wish to go farther, we can get a pass from Liut Curry and go anywhere with impunity as the sesesh are pretty well fritened out of heart. Some have come to the conclution that we are no worse than their own men, as the latter burnt their cotton, whereas if they swear allegiance to us we protect them and their property.
Our Co. was to work at the tunnel 2 or 3 days clearing up the R Road track in order to allow our provition train a passage through without going over the bluff. The tunnel is cut through sollid rock a distance 30 rods or more & runs under a high bluff.
While we were at work here I captured a sesesh shotgun. It is a fine English twist and was carried by the Scott cavelry and has been hard used. The barrels are about 2 feet long and it had in ether barrel 25 buckshot. These are the most formidable wepon when used at a short distance I know of. They will kill and mame a nomber at one shot. I have packed the gun in Currys box and I expect you will see it for long.
Genl. Michell was here a few days ago and spoke to us a few minutes. The old fellow praises us a good deal for good conduct. He has gone to Washington. I think likely we shall go east befor long if Richmond is not taken before long. We are the boys for them. If we had been at Corinth when our old starry at the head of the whole, the rebbels would never got out of it without a fight. The mechanics who planted the siege guns at Corinth are working on a bridge at this place. They say we had a 1000 canon pointed at the town.
Liberty P. Warner
[Liberty Warner, July 14, 1862, Athens, Alabama]
[Athens, Ala.]
July 14, 1862
Dear friends at home,
Today is the sabbath. We have left our pleasant little fort on the banks of Elk River and we are now with our Reg. once more at Athens and as there is no services of any kind in camp we are lounging about in our tent, drowning of the heat and being no ways sorry we are not on duty today.
The excitement and anxiety to hear the news from Richmond is very great. As soon as the newsboy shows himself on the platform of the car he is immediately besieged by soldiers & citizens, half crazy to hear the results of battle. Even Sambo will inquire "what ye aw guine to do".
In this country big black stinking Sambo grows in all his glory. It is here this beloved, industrious, troden down in the dust humanity toils all day long (that is if he has a driver behind him) and gets nothing but pork bread and whatever he raises in his little garden and hen coop (without he can steal from some other nigger or his master).
When we were at work in the tunnel, we pressed in about 40 niggers and we could accomplish but little with them. You have to keep on the lookout as they will mosey off into some shady place and lay down. Nigger heaven is a place where they can dance and lay in the shade all day.
Liberty P. Warner.
[Liberty Warner, November 12, 1862, Nashville, Tennessee]
Nashville, Tenn. Nov 12, 1862
Dear Uncle, Aunt & Cousins,
It is a good while I have had an opportunity to write home. I was very sorry to hear of the death of cousin Hattie. It makes a sad and gloomy day with us. I am well. Our Reg. has got order to forage and to go, but on a foraging, so I must close. I will write again soon. Give my love to all.
L.P. Warner
Dear Mother,
I sent you my likeness about 2 months ago. If you got it or not let me know. I will send another if you did not get it.
And we would consequently lost more. Please write soon. Let me know whether Elliott is drafted or not. Keep up your spirits and better days will come. We are trying to do our best toward killing off the rebbels. John Barber sends his respects to you all.
From your son,
Liberty Warner
We expect to leave here before long. You can direct your letters to this place as well as the 7th Brigade for the present.
[Liberty Warner, November 13, 1862, Nashville, Tennessee]
Nashville Nov 13, 1862
Dear friends at home,
I have just recieved the long wished for letter and with it the sad intelegence of the death of Hattie. The loss is a great one, yes it is the absence of one of our nomber...forever. It is the first visit of death in our midst. We must all die sooner or later and we may be thankful we have been undivided so many years. I feel hartily sad that I can never againe behold the face of the dear one that is no more. I would not wish her back into this world of sorrow and sin. She is much better off. This was not altogether unexpect to me. I have often thought of it while out on picket or other guard and at other times when alone. I thout of her delicate constitution and feared she would not survive. A letter that George received from his sister, Harriet Van, made me almost certain of it, etc.
My self and cousins are all well and have plenty to eat and wear. Our regiment has been laying at Nashville about 3 months or thereabouts and we have been shut out from the world as you may say, the R Road line being intercepted by the enemy. Our only mode of subsistence was to forage, and occasionally commence our scout at 11 o'clock in the night and maybe have a skirmish. I have been in 3 skirmishes and have never fired a gun. We have always had some flank movement to perform on double quick time (on the run), which is the hardest of all. I tell you the rattle of musketry and boom of canon sounds musical. We tried our 36 lb. steel on them a few days ago. The intruders was a foraging party belonging to Forest. Our being transfered from our old 9th Brigade to the 7th shinned us out of the fight in Kentucky. The regiment that held our old position lost 21 killed and near 100 wounded. Our regiment is larger than it was...
[Liberty Warner, November 21, 1862, Nashville, Tennessee]
[Nashville, Tenn.]
Wednesday, Nov. 21, 1862
Dear Aunt,
It has been nearly three months since we have been shut out from the world, as it were. We got some letters today, but they were old ones, but we did not care for that. The boys are all well except myself. I have been unwell for some time. I feel better now and am able to do my duty. The battery boys are well.
The rebels attacked us last week with seven peices of artillery and four regiments of infantry. They skirmished nearly all day. Our loss was 2 killed and several wounded. We expect to march before long.
I was sorry to hear of the death of Hattie. I did not think she would live a great while when I saw her last, but we must all die sometime. I would like to see you all once more, alive and well.
I have not much time to write now. I will write more next time. I must write to Aunt Sarah and the girls. Give my love to Eliza and Mary and all the rest. No more this time.
From your aff. nephew,
George W. Barber
My love to all.
[Liberty Warner, November 30, 1862, Nashville, Tennessee]
Nashville
Nov. 30, 1862
Dear Friends,
I have just received your letter of the 21st, which found us all well. George is well & cooking for the Captain & Lieutenants. John is detached from the Regiment as a pioneer of the Brigade. He camps near us however, so we see one another as often as we feel disposed.
Our new recruits arrived about a week ago and there being about 120 one hundred and twenty, it helped us a considerable. Yesterday when we were out on Brigade inspection the old General (Genl. Negley) wanted to know of Col. Neibling where he got his Brigade. We had a general review a few days ago consisting of all the forces at Nashville. Genl. RosanCranz rode along our collemns and looked as smileing as a 5 year old boy over a first penny.
Rosincrans is a good old fellow, I can tell you. Buell is an old rascal and should have been shot. We would no more dare to go into battle with his men than nothing. He would be shot down as quick as a rebbel, that shows what we think of Old Buell, as the soldiers call him. It is no use of keeping an officer in the field that is despised by his men. If an officer is brave, his men will be brave, but if the leader is cowardly, especialy when leading raw troops into battle, he will disgrace the men as well as himself. The way things are going on shows a lack somewhere. This lack is not in the men, but in the officers. If I was shure we would not get through in 2 years, I would joine the regular cavelry, the Genls. bodyguard, etc.
That likeness you got I sent about two months ago. Give my best respects to Grandmother. Dear Grandmother, I have not forgotten her.
I would like to see you all very much, but there is no chance of forlough at all, so I have to wait untill we get through. I believe that whenever the war does end, it will be all at once. One side or the other will give over all at once, the sooner the better for the country.
Nashville shows the effects of the war. She has her pay for her traitering. The men are most all gone to war and the women make their liveing any way they can. Nashville is a verry Soddom, it is a abomination. The soldiers tore down some of the devilsheds for brestworks, thus putting them to use.
L.P.W.
In your letter you was very kind to ask if I had plenty of clotheing and even offered to send me boots. Thank you, I have a good pair of boots, plenty of all. I should be verry happy to step in and take supper with you, but I must wait a while.
Dear brother,
Your welcome handwriting always comes with the rest. It always looks so charming. I tell you, when I get back we must a good old talk. You see, I have been through the mill. I know what I did not know before. It is fun to talk, but, but... I would like to see you verry much. I should like to see how much you have grown. I weigh from 150 to 160. What do you think of that. In your next letter tell me how heavy you are. I want to see how we correspond in that line. I am tough, but not muscular. Write soon. Let me know everything. Anything is interesting to me.
L.P. Warner
[Liberty Warner, December 15, 1862, Nashville, Tennessee]
Camp Hamilton, Nashville
Dec 15, 1862
Dear friends,
After a few more days at Nashville we have moved out sixty miles toward Murfreesboro, where we lie awaiting further orders. We are all glorying the enjoyment of health and only need the smiles of those at home to make us happy indeed. We have a very pleasant camp here, close to this cane brake. It affords plenty of sport for the soldiers in the line of bird hunting. About an hour before sun set clouds of robbins may be seen coming from every direction toward the cane brake, where they take up quarters for the night. As soon as it comes dark the boys slip the guard and with torch and shelalah they charge on the devoted red breast, who stare at the torch untill they are nocked of of the cane. Our mess had a pot pie of some 3 or 4 dozen of this species of songster (great dish that).
We have just received a lot of draftees, and they are in for 9 months, so they get out of the service sometime before we, the old twenty onesters, as we call ourselves. Hoorah for the new roll 21sters. With our recruits came a fine stand of colors and a banner, besides a couple of small flags, one red the other blue for line guides (all of silk). Our regiment makes a line of battle about 40 rods.
Did Reuben VanTassel ever write home that he took 5 prisoners and a stand of colors at Lavergne. The boys have the story here that he did write such things home. It may be just a report amongst the boys, but if he did write such a thing he wrote and untruth. Because you see, I was there myself and know all about it. When you write let us know. You see, Co. H was on the run all the time trying to flank the rebbels and he nor anyone else had such a chance as that in Co. H. There has been some talk of compromise and armistice, but I don't believe anything untill I see it myself. If there should happen to be an armistice for 6 months or a compromise and peace declared, why I expect I might get home by some of these days, but the way things are going on seem rather to predict a year or more or in other words, I expect to serve my term out. I send herein closed receipt 20$ and more before long if the paymaster comes soon.
Love to all the friends.
Liberty P. Warner
Write soon
[RIGHT MARGIN]
Elliott write, girls write, all all write.
