[Liberty Warner, January 31, 1863, New Albany, Indiana]
New Albany, [Ind.]
Hospital No.6
Jan 31, 1863
I received your kind letter of the 28th last night and I was verry glad to hear from once more. It is the first I have received for two months or more. I was verry sorry to hear that Mary was unwell and I hope that she will soon be better. I am getting along finely, my wound is nearly well, also the mumps that I had mixed in. I have a very comfortable place here, plenty to eat, to wear, and good lodging. The eating part is the most essential with us soldiers. I cannot tell why we have not had a furlough given us. Soldiers matters are so newmerous that only few of them are propperly attended to. I do [not] know whether our parolle will be recognized or not. The rebbels were in such a hurry that they did not parolle us, but had the officers in charge (swear) take oath that they would have it propperly attend to.
We were glad to get off with our boat anyway. They burnt three steamboats right under our noses. I tell you it made the Yankey blood boil to see it. Just to see the land pirates running over the boat and stealing what they could lay their hands on. If we had any furloughs we would have free transportation. Elliott write, girls write, all all write.
Elliott, go to Mrs. Currys and see if there is not a shotgun there for me. Curry sent it in his box. The barrells are an English twist about 2 feet long. See pg. 4 [DRAWING]
I want to see you all very much, but I have to content myself and live in hope. I often think of you. Each member of the family rises before my eyes (and little Hattie with the rest.)
Oh, the scenes of blood that I have seen. I wish that they could cease, not that I fear it, but it so hardens a person, a dead man seems no more than a dead sheep or a log of wood.
I sent home a treasury note some six weeks ago or more, but not haveing any stamps I put it on soldiers letter. If you did not get, it is in the dead letter office. The money is not lost if the note is. The agent has a corresponding paper or note. (It was sent from near Nashville).
Liberty P. Warner
Write soon.
The barrell has two little dents
near the muzzle made in cutting it
off. Also 2 keys to hold the stock
to the barrells.
The punch in my pate
[Liberty Warner, early February 1863, New Albany, Indiana}
[New Albany, Ind.
Hospital no. 6
Early Feb., 1863]
O, that letter of last nights sent me to bed to dream of home. It was a very pleasant supper to go to rest on. The bed I have just got up from this morning is a bunk with a straw tick covered with 3 double blankets. It is as good a bed as I could ask for. I breakfasted on breat, milk, and rice, with plenty of sugar on the latter.
Well, mother, those rebs did would not rob me. If they had, it not have been much. They might have taken my overcoat or my cap, but they did not. I found out that those who were spunky and talked right up to them got along the best. It did not take them long to steal all of our provition. I have plenty of clothes to keep me warm and expect a chance to draw more before long.
I suppose that the box the Tontogany people sent to the company came to it since the battle. I have seen nothing of the same. I do not know of anything you could send me without it be a postage stamp. I have but one left.
Mother need not be afraid that I shall think she asks to many questions. The more the better. I was verry glad that Pa let me know all about the stock. I love to hear how all hands are comeing on, from the horses to the biddies. I wunder if old Spot can kick as well as ever, or if that was forgotten when his tormenters left. Well, I suppose the stock on the farm are growing nisely. I should love to see them and take a stroole over the farm & note the changes.
I should like to take another lesson in farming. It would go hard at first, but I would come to it in the end. In my travels and marches I have seen all kinds of land, but suits me better than our own.
I have not raised that mustache yet that I was greasing and coaxing to come out. It appears to be just as smooth there as when I was a yearling. They are not all braves who sport mustaches. For instance, there was a verry large pair owned in our company. About the time the lead and iron began to fly, a pair of legs carried those mustaches towards Nashville with a velosity that was remarkable. (He was not a Tontogany boy).
I wrote you a few lines day before yesterday. I was in a great sputter to get a letter. Last night it came.
Write as soon as you get this and we will keep up conversation in spite of the miles between us.
Son & brother
Liberty Warner
[Liberty Warner, February 8, 1863, New Albany, Indiana]
New Albany, Hospital no.6
Feb 8, 1863
Dear friends at home,
I am still at the old place and ready to go back to the Regiment againe as soon as discharged from Wheeler's Brigade (that is the name the boys have given to those who were captured by Wheeler)
My wound is all healed up, but a small spot which is scabed over. The Dr. was saying he thought chances would be given all wounded men to get home. How soon he did not know.
I wrote you a letter and sent as soon as I got yours of 28th. I have as yet received no answer. Please write letters often while I can get them so fresh from home, because I may go to the Regt. at any time, where it is a miracle to get anything from home in less than 15 or 20, 30 days.
Write soon and let me have all the news. Anything from home is news to me.
It would just suit me to steal in on to you unawares and give you a surprise. It might come around, so you know.
Liberty P. Warner
[Liberty Warner, February 10, 1863, New Albany, Indiana]
New Albany
Feb 10, 1863
I have just received a magnificent sheet from home. It was just the kind to suit a soldier who has not seen home for a long time. All the fault I have to find is that the girls did not have anything to say. Now, I tell you what it is I want both of you girls, you Eliza and you Mary, to write some in the next letter. Those are strict orders and must be obeyed. It would frigten you very much if I was to get a corporal and a file of men after you, so beware of the guardhouse, girls. Lib, as the boys call him, is not quite the petulant boy you used to have about home, if I do say it. So you need not be afraid to write to me. Elliot little bits are delicious. Give us a good epistle next time, I mean a longer one. Let me know what is going on all over the farm. I suppose you have some good times. Le me know everything that is going on. How does old dog flurish, fond of souse as ever. I suppose he would say bow-wow to the blue jackets. I suppose I have streched up some since I saw you and I am probly some heavier. While we were at Nashville I did at one time manage to tremble the scale on 160. I suppose I am about 155 now. I don't pretend to be as muscular as I was at home, but my constitution is good and I am never sick.
Now I will tell you how I got that gun I sent you while we at Elk R. We went out to a leading sesesher plantation of about 150 nigs strong, for the purpose of seeing if he had any horses on his premises that belonged to Scotts rebbel cavelry. In the meantime, the Liut went in to the house and got this gun, which had been left there by Scott's men. It was loaded for Yankees when we got it. It had 21 buckshotts in each barrel and behind them a plentiful charge of powder. At another time I captured a gun, which I changed for this and it delivered at Tontogany. You see the gun cost me nothing. If the sesesh at home conclude to kick up a row, you will have to gather up the old guns and charge on them. The old 21 know how to that. If you could have seen them you would have said so. I remember when we were by a fence, the rebs came up 2 or 3 colums deep, screaching and yelping like nigger hounds. We rested our guns across the fense & made them yell another tune. I was as cool as a cucumber and took steady aim at the cloud of flash and smoke. I beleive some of my lead same near enough for them to hear it whistle, if nothing farther.
Good night, more in the morning
LW
[Liberty Warner, March 27, 1863l, Murfreesboro, Tennesee]
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
March 27, 1863
Dear friends at home,
We are all well and hearty as any one could ask to be. We are at the old camp and have nothing to do but drill and stand picket & camp guard.
(Seven days later)
Since the above was written we have changed our camp and we have been ditching and putting our new grounds in order. We were out on review a few days ago. Gen. Rosecrans & 6 or 7 other major generals rode along our lines. The old General gallantly raised his hat to each regiment as they presented arms. He told Col. Neibling we must have Stones River printed on our colors, for we had as good a right to it as any regiment. The Col. says we must have Iva Creek, Levergne & Stones R all printed on our flag. We have been in no fight a bravly. You must never believe anything untill you see it. I don't believe anything nowadays. Reports are all gratis and are consequently too cheep to be good for anything. Report in camp circulation says the 2nd and 3rd divisions will garrison this place. (We are in the 2nd division)
I received those three letters and several papers since I came back, also a lot of old dated letters. The papers are very exceptable pass-time reading. News boys are in camp every morning with Nashville, Louisville, and Cincinnatti papers.
We can not get any furlough yet. If there is chances given, I will come home on furlough as soon as it comes by turn, several are ahead of me.
P.S. I know nothing of those rails you spoke of.
Write soon.
L.P. Warner
[Liberty Warner, May 5, 1863, Murfreesboro, Tennesee]
Murfreesboro
May 4, 1863
Dear friends,
We are all well as usual. Nothing of importance has transpired along our lines of late. We were out 5 miles in a scout (that is, our Brigade was out) and stayed out there 3 or 4 days. We did not meet any enemy, but our pickets could hear their drums. We suppose they were about 6 miles in advance of us, but we did not deem it important to go any farther from there, considering the position of the rebs. Yesterday I was compelled drop my letter writing until we had torn down our large tents and put up our dog tents. The little shelters we term dog tents are large enough for 2 men. Jim and I roost together as usual. We have been pardners since we were at Bacon Creek. John Bill & Chris Grundy tent together, Frank Burkhardt and Bob Black together, Burcksted & Henderson together, Ike Van & Hale bunk together. That comprises mess one, as we stand in our shoes. George is one of the Co. cooks and nests in the cook tent. I can stand in any of the streets of the tented city and look over the roofs of the entire place. The little domicil occupied by my pardner and self is about 6 feet by 5 on ground, 14 inches high at the eaves and 4 1/2 feet at the peak. Our bunk occupies one side, leaving about 18 inches at the foot. There we stough away our haversacks, canteens, and cartidge boxes. At the side of the bed we glory in 20 inches of space. There stands a black junk bottle with a candle stuck in it, also a little shelf made of a piece of clapboard. This is a general deposit for all sorts of trash. Our rifles rest on either side of us, they being our wives and business companion as a matter of course occupy the same perch.
It is wet today and Jim and I are in our bunk taking it easy. I am writeing on a novelette and Jim is devouring the contents of another. I suppose you would think these rather slim quarters, but we like them. We have been furnished with oil cloths lately, so if we hapen to be caught in the rain on a march or in duty, we have something to keep out the water.
Bob Buffum arrived here a few days ago, glad enough to see the old mess once more and we in return as happy to see him. He is somewhat under the weather yet. I shall be on brigade camp guard tomorrow.
I would not be angry if I could give you a call and see the folks eat a little of your extra feed. The boys luxuriate on eggs at 60, 70, etc. per doz, the investment of shin plaster in them rather paperafies them. Sometimes half of them are rotten, otherwise all of them are.
Write soon.
Liberty P. Warner
[Liberty Warner, May 21, 1863, Murfreesboro, Tennesee]
Murfreesboro
May 21st, 1863
Dear friends at home.
I received you very welcome letter of the 5th inst. yesterday. It found us all in good health and excellent spirits. I had just returned from town. The houses look bad and are scarred up by the soldiers. Murfreesboro was a nice place when we passed those few weeks here one year ago. There is scarcely a building to be seen between this place and Nashville. All are in ashes. If any person wishes to behold the horrors of war, he only has to look at the town of Murfreesboro and its surroundings. Deserters from the rebbel army come into our lines almost daily. They are hard looking customers, dirty, ragged, illfavored fellows. The uniform worn by their chaps is just like grandfather's yellow homespun coat. I would say they were originally of the same material, but they are generally painted with dirt and the sacred soil is set in the cloth with grease.
I suppose you are working away after the old stile and would like to be with you if the rascally rebbels were whipt, but I know it is much better for all of the old soldiers to stand to the front, because they are more used to the climate and the rebbels to. I myself having to be one of that class (one of the old stock the boys call it). I am willing to carry my rifle and cartrige box for sometime to come. There exists a decided aristocracy among the soldiers; No. 1 old stock, no. 2 recruit, no. 3 is supposed to be several noches below and is supposed to be forced in to the service. This is the draft. I must stop now for the drums are beating for brigade drill.
Well, drill is over and I am in my tent once more. Tatoo has beat and Jim is on the bunk making all sorts of noises to amuse himself. I have just read to Jim the last paragraph. He says just tell them I send my spectacles. I was verry glad to hear Grandpa had got home once more. I wish I could see him and the rest of you to. Grandpa, I have seen the Elephant several times, sometimes he looked dreadful cross, but I fed him on lead a while. That made him sick to his stomach and also gave him the hint to vamoose. When I was listening to your own experience in war-like service, I little thought that I would ever see contests so fearce. When you come in to line of battle and see the enemy 5 or 6 columns deep advancing on your single column and single reserve, you invaredly think some one might get hurt. Ouch, ouch, quit your pinching. And when you see men and horses piled up, you think some foolish boy has cut his finger or got the nose bleed.
My love to Grandpa, to Grandma, and all the rest of you.
L.P. Warner
your son & brother
Write soon
Write sisters, write to me
(Silence)
I wonder if Leroy Droot is raising flax to make a rope for his own love sick neck or the copperhead papereens.
[Liberty Warner, June 1, 1863, Murfreesboro, Tennesee]
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
June 1, 1863
We are all well , with the exception of George, who is a little indisposed at present, but is able to be about and will be harty in a few days. Nothing of importance has happened here of late. Everything is still. Little skirmishes occur once in a while and sometimes twice, but they amount to nothing. Rebbel deserters come into our lines every few days in two or threes together, but I think they are growing less. I have just returned from town and am most pleasantly surprised to receive a letter from you. But you are not ahead of me, for this will be on the way in a half hour.
Our regiment, or 7 companys of it, have changed arms again. We have got Colts five repeating rifles. The other companies will have either carbines or Henry rifles. With either of these rifles we can do tremendous execution. If we had been provided with these arms before the battle, we could have piled the ground with sesesh worse than we did with our single shuters, although they worked admirable. We expect to get horses soon. If we do, we will have revolvers and sabres (won't we eat then). This brigade is considered to be one of the first class and I suppose it is equel if not superior. Col. Miller, who commands the brigade, says it fought equel to anything known since the war and it is consideration of these things we are supplied with such arms. It is an honor to us to be thus distinguished. The whole army is bettered armed than it was at the time of the fight and if we get at it againe, we will make something come. Rosencrans will review our division tomorrow. I always like to see his smileing face when he rides along the lines, as we are drawn up in line of battle.
Well Elliot, I suppose you have grown a considerable and probably changed a good deal in your appearance and I would like to see for myself if it could be so. But it seems to me that when I have served out my time and probably not before that time can I do so. I have grown some taller since you saw me and the day after I was of age weighed 153 lbs. Last fall when we were at Nashville I weighed 160 lbs. All the boys in the company have stretched up amazingly, all but George who is bound to be a titman anyhow.
I would not be surprised if we moved before long. Things look so to me, although I may be mistakened.
L. Warner
Give my love to grandma. Tell her I have not forgotten her if I have not written. I suppose grandpa is in Ky. by this time.
[Liberty Warner, June 10, 1863, Murfreesboro, Tennessee]
Murfreesboro, Tenn
June 10, 1863
Dear friends at home,
As I have nothing else to do, I will just write a few lines by way of keeping up conversation. I pass the time the best and easiest way possible, sometimes I read a while, then stroll about a while, then take a lazy sleep of a couple of hours. Probably by that time I may suddenly be brought to my senses by the cook yelling dinner or the drums beating drills or dress parade as the case may be. The monotany was broken a few days ago by breaking a fellows neck on the scaffold. Such things are getting common, a couple have to rid the earth of themselves today and two more on Friday go through the same performance. Part are soldiers and part citizens. I don't care anything about the citizens, but I hate to see a soldier stretch hemp or be shot. The more citizens are killed, the less sneaks and gorillos we will be bothered with later.
Today is rainy and sunshine by spells. We drilled this forenoon on skirmishing a while. An Irishman named Joe Todd was brought here handcuffed a few days ago. He was one of the men taken prisioner the same time George was, and when exchanged and started for the Regiment, he sliped out and came back to Tontogany. He says passed by our house several times and saw Pa and Elliott to work in the field. Probly Elliott remembers the fellow that treated Henderson and myself to the bar one night when we were beating those drums in Tontogany. His appearance is about as proposing at present as it was then, one eye black, his back covered with an old ragged citizens coat. The only thing I begrudge him is the sight.
We have the orders to keep 3 days rations in our haversacks ready to march at any time. That time is very uncertain. It has been an standing order some time. If Bragg sends part of his force toward Vicksburg, he may look out for a few of us, as we may visit him. If you could see me laying on my bunk with this paper on an old novel, you would say, lazy fellow. Soldier life is hard and lazy both. Duty is duty and lay on the bunk is just the opposite thing. Well, I will have to go to work and get the dirt and rust of my gun. These take lots of cleaning.
Eliza and Mary, I would like to hear of your once in a while at least, whereas I hardly hear from you at all. Don't be afraid to say a word. If you find it difficult reading this pencilling, let me know & I will use a pen & ink hereafter.
L.P. Warner
[Liberty Warner, July 3-4, 1863, Elk River, Tennesee]
[Elk River, Tenn.]
July 3rd, 1863
Today we are laying on the road side on the banks of the Elk R. We have been driving the Rebs since we left Murfreesboro, which is about 12 days ago or more. Our advance are skirmishing more or less every day. Negleys Divition has been engaged in no fight of any account, McCooks and Crittendons each have done considerable fighting. They have taken good many prisioners and killed many rebs.
I received your letter last night and a welcome one it was. I was glad to hear that everything is going off nicely at home. I should like to see it with my own eyes and I hope the next 3rd of July to be with you. Tomorrow is the 4th of July, 1863 and still war. I fear it will take us a long time to subdue the South. They are a hot-blooded people and on their own ground.
When we come to a suspicious looking place, we have to plant artillery and shell it, so to be shure that no masqued battery is in the road. Report says all remiments that reenlisted (3 months regs) within 30 days after discharge will be discharged 3 months before their time is up. I think the furlough is cliped off the 3 years (so much for report)
We are 6 or 7 miles south of Talihoma & about 45 m from Murfreesboro. I think the rebs will run to Chattenooga. When once we get them started, it takes some time to stop them. I hope we will have good luck and take part of the rear prisoners. We crossed the river this morning, & I am sitting on a log & my gun and rig at my feet.
July 4th
This is the morning of the 4th. I was on picket last night and came off post at sunrise. Tis a beautiful morning and a beautiful landscape, the vast plain and lofty hills in the distance. The cavelry are starting out again this morning & I expect we will start in a few minutes. One of our field pieces fired a morning roll out here boys and get your grub a little before sunrise. I do not expect too much for today...
Independence day wares on and it is noon. We have not pulled up stakes or rather started on the march yet. Jim and I have just finished a cup of applesauce and it is time to go on post again (on the lookout)... the boys are thinking or talking of former 4th of Julies when they were at home. All seem merry as can be, only wishing for a little extra quality sort of grub.
After writing the preceding, we marched about 5 miles and are camped in a fine grove. Probably we will stay here a few days. Several national salutes were fired by our several batterys and a salute of a few shells presented to a band of flying rebbels. I suppose I heard rather more cononading than you did, had a finer view of the chane of mountainous bluffs, eat less and am about 6 times as dirty. Marching makes dirty soldiers. The next thing will be to wash up & clean myself and then comes my gun. It must be kept in order if the rest goes to rack... Every farmer in the South is doing his best to raise a large amount of corn & wheat, thousands of bushels of fine grain have been tramped in the ground, fed to the mules, and otherwise destroyed by us on this march and not a likely steer, calf, hog, goose, hen, or anything else in the eating line can be found in within 3 miles of one of our stopping places after we have left. Our boys sweep the country clean of everything, both Reb and grub. All of the male niggers fall with us. The niggers all seem to have notice of our comeing long beforehand. When is about up, they run away and hide in the mountains till we come along, then they come forth, grinning and showing their ivory. You never saw any such specimens of black humanity North as may be seen here with feet like flat bowls.
L.P. Warner
[Liberty Warner, July 29, 1863, Decherd Station, Tennessee]
Decherd Station
July 29, 1863
Dear friends,
I received your very welcome letter of the 21st inst. I was very glad to hear that you were all well, but sorry to hear that death has taken one so near. Death must sooner or later claim one and all of us, it matters not whether in the army or at home. When we have run the course the Almighty has assigned us, we must leave earth for other shores.
We are camped down as usual & have nothing but our usual camp, & picket duties and occational forage, etc. This is a little different from marching, where the Regt has to march in a close mass, ready to face an enemy on any side and the sun shining down on us hot enough to roast us. We hear nothing of the rebs in this quarter any more. They are all driven far south. They were greatly demoralised. The greater share are ready to desert whenever a chance presents itself.
Well, I hope they have got as well scared or half as well in the east as here.
I would like to help you eat some of your good things. Crackers, coffy and meat is our grub here. If you want potatoes or any thing of that kind, you can get a handkerchief full for $1.00 or 5 for 25 cts. Nice is it not verry. Just let my eyes rest for one minute on a sesesh apple tree or pototoe pach and some of them.....
I wrote you a few lines 3 or 4 days ago, also sent a treasury note of $50. I send in this sheet $10.
L.P. Warner
[Liberty Warner, August 17, 1863, Decherd, Tennessee]
Decherd, Tenn.
Aug 17, 1863
Dear friends,
We are all well & ready to move forward, which I expect we will do in a day or two. I suppose we will move into Eastern Tennessee in order to keep the enemy from obtaining supplies of provitions from that region. There is no opposition the rebs can offer this side of Chattanooga & in all probability we will carry everything before us without much fighting until we get into Georgia. When we move against the enemy we expect to drive them, because we have never been beaten yet, they on the contrary having been beaten in every contest are broken spirited.
Great inducements are held out to vetron soldiers that reinlist or enlist for 3 years more when they have served 2 years of the former enlistment. I expect a good many of the 21st Regiment will enlist in Cavelry as soon as 2 years have expired, they think so now at least. I think I will serve out the old term of enlistment and then if war continues I will try heavy artillery or gun boat service a year or so. Our drafted men have got their discharges this morning and will be enroute for home today or tomorrow. They never amounted to a great deal anyhow. One fellow got a couple of teeth broken off by a glancing shot at Stone River and he appeared to the company a few days ago for the first time since the battle...
We are drawing bread now and it gives a little better than the hard crackers. The boys dive into the cornfield and the way the roasting ears will step out is a caution to all who wish to raise corn for bread. Some of the fields are guarded, but most of the soldiers are experienced hands at such work and know how to take advantage of the times and a vigilant it must be indeed to efectively guard anything on the line of provition. The weather is some hot, but a breeze is constantly blowing and we do not suffer from it.
So ends my letter. No news to write. I think more of the news from home than all of this army display. Send it along. Send me a few lines, each of you. These are addressed to all.
My love to all,
L.P. Warner
Write some and let me hav the news.
