Elias Riggs Monfort, letter to Maggie Monfort, 9 Jan 1862, folder 1, box 1,  Elias Riggs Monfort Collection, Duggan Library, Hanover College (Hanover, Ind.).

Transcription by Trey Sparks, HC 2017.

Staffords C. H., Jan. 9

Dear Sister,

Your welcome letter came to hand today bringing with the fond recolection of the happy past when I had the pleasure of engaging with you all in the festivities of the winter holow days. It would ha ve have done me good to have been with you all. You ask me how I spent my Christmas & New Years days.   I scarcely knew when they passed by. In anticipation of Christmas dinner the Captain sent Lieutenant Ruckman to Aquia Creek landing to procure some thing if it was possible. He purchased one p ound of bu tter for 75 cents and priced some other articles among them a goose which $3.00. It had been cooked in Washington and brought up in the river but he concluded he would not get it and came back so I had hard crackers, salt pork, coffee for breakfast. Pork crackers Bu tter for dinner. Butter crackers & P ork for supper. You can readily imagine how we enjoyed these rare luxuries of life which are so rare to us. Surely Ike must be a happy man to have such a family as he took to the Bible Panorama on his family and compli mentarey ticket.  Col Constable with 3 captains the Adjutant [and?] two Lieutenants have either sent in their resignations or will immediately because they cannot endorse the President’s proclamation. this leaves open a wide field for for the ambitious [juniors?]  do you not think so. We have warm political fights on the Negro question in this Regiment and ambition prompts as not to fight to hard for fear of changeing the minds of our Superiors and thereby keeping them in the way of our promotion . Do not say that we do wrong in this for what are men worth in the army who are are continually poisoning the minds of their men and creating dissatisfaction among them. And if for no other motive than the good of the Cause I consider it my duty do all I can to get rid of them.

I was on out Post Picket duty yesterday & do not feel much like writing now and you must excuse all mistakes as I kneed rest and can not of cause do justice to this letter. There is nothing more of importance to write at present. We have heard that Rosencrantz was successful at Murfrees borough] & hope it is true when you write tell me I received a letter from cousin Edward Riggs at Elizabeth N .L. He is well & enjoying his holow days finely Is George at Glendale now[?] if so please tell him to answer my last letter if he can find time. Has Frank [crossed out: joined the army yet] returned to  returned to Crawfordsville as yet if so I will write to him in a [few?]. Tell Sallie to write if her ma is willing

Write Soon & believe me your

Affectionate Brother

E.R. Montfort

I have not time to read this over before the mail goes.

Maggie Monfort, letter to Elias Monfort, 23 Jan. 1862, folder 1, box 1, Elias Riggs Monfort Collection, Duggan Library, Hanover College (Hanover, Ind.).

Transcribed by Ricky Windell, HC 2017.

Glendale Female Col. January 23rd

Dear brother

When you read this you will probably be on your way to Virginia. And I shall be at home thinking of you. Shall I ever see you again? It may be that you will return, or it may be that God has designed that you shall fall on the battle field if this is the will of God we must submit. but I shall earnestly beseech him every day to spare you and return you to us again. and if my prayers will avail any thing, there shall many go up to the throne of grace. And liable as you are to be killed almost any moment, should you not alway’s be prepared Are you prepared? I fear not. Do you not think you ought to be? _ _ _ _ Then when will you prepare your self by humbly falling at the throne of God and asking him to pardon you and direct you in the way in which you should go? If you do this you will be so much happier. My dear brother I know that you do not expect to die unprepared but now is the time. You may never have another chance, for God says “Boast not thy self of tomorrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” tomorrow may never come to you. Your life may be o er before tomorrow. Oh then, why not prepare so that if such be the case you may be ready to meet God and render a good account of the talents he has committed to your keeping?   Now dear brother do think about this matter. I beseech you. and [crossed out: for] if I Should never meet you again in this world, let me hope that I may meet you in heaven. a ransomed soul. Do not think I would have [you] fear death, and shrink from offering up your life for your country. but all I want is that when called upon to leave this world you may be able to feel that you have a home in the skies and a friend in Jesus. who can never be taken from you. But I hope that you may be spared through the whole and be instrumental in bring ing peace to our distracted country. Be careful of yourself and your men. do whatever you consider your duty to yourself and your country. but keep yourself out of unneccessary danger. Be kind to your men. if you see one wearied with his heavy burden, lighten him if you can. if you see any one hungry share your bread with him. and whenever you see any way of helping any poor soldier do it and you will make them love you more. and wish to assist you in anyway they may be able.

And now,  dear brother, I have no more time, and all I wish is that you may do your duty and take care of yourself. Write as often as you can.

Goodbye. Your affectionate sister

Maggie E. Montfort

Elias Riggs Montfort, letter to Maggie Montfort, 5 March 1862, folder 1, box 1, The Elias Riggs Monfort Papers, Duggan Library, Hanover College (Hanover, Ind.).

Transcription by Madeline McElroy, HC 2017.

Camp Milroy March 5th /62

Dear Sister

Your letter was received and read with much interest. Though it produced rather an unpleasant sensation it gave me a fit of the blues, I think you have a great deal of impudence to ask me how I enjoyed the 22nd of February out here in this God for saken wooden country after inummerating the splended review & the Grand Parade and the brilliante illuminations of the city [.] The happy spectators crowding about the city through the mud regardless health and future happiness only thinking of the present. I will However answer your question on that unfortunate day the Bloody Seventy Fifth might have been seen winding its way carelessly over the Laurel mountains wet to the skin from the rain which poured down incessantly from Eight in the morning till between 9 & ten then it began to freeze & hail after dinner it seemed as if all the Elements were indeed combined to stop yet on we went regardless of any thing but to reach a good camping ground and sending a thousand curses at those who were the causes of our being placed in [crossed out: under] these unfortunate circimstanses[.] That day I carried one knapsack & two guns besides my own traps making a load of about sixty pounds [.] Boots would not save a mans feet from being wet on that day as clothes became saturated and watter would naturaly run in them. With all the excitement of the march I kept "cool" rather to cool to be comfortable.

12 o clock and all is well [.] I have just ordered the guard out and the third relief to their posts and am now waiting for the Corporal to come and report As the weather is very disagreeable and I am Officer of the Guard[,] I have obtained permision to remain in my quarters only going out once an hour [--] twice if nessessary to see that all is well and report such in the guard book [.] Captain Morgan and Lieut. Crampton are sleeping in the same tent [.] Even the raging storm out side does not distirb their quiet slumbers O that I could do the same "for my sleepy eye lids are batting batting for my pallet poor" [.] You cannot imagine what a happy felling it is to lie down at night even in our poor couches without fear of being distirbed intil breakfast is ready. Please give my best regards to Sallie and tell her I should like to here from her if she does not intend to answer my letter tell her to write and let me know, Remember me to Miss "O" Sister [Weckly] [.] I have just been out and find the weather has again changed it is snowing quite hard but the Snow does not have much effect on the mud of which our camp is full. Please send me some stamp &c Give my love all my friends.

Your Affcete Brother

E.R. Montfort.

E. R. Monfort, letter to Miss Maggie C.  Monfort,  19 May 1862, folder 2, Elias Riggs Monfort Collection, Duggan Library, Hanover College (Hanover, Ind.).

Transcription by Alex Weeden, HC 2017.

Franklin, Pendleton  county W. Va.

May 19th 1862

Dear sister,

I received your kind & welcome letter to day. I am very much gratified to find that I stand so high in the estamation of my Col. I am truely thankfull to him for for it as I did not expect it. But the old saying always proves true that “fortune favors the (“brave”).” (Notice the brave). I suppose you saw our orderly Sergt. at Glendale he has gone home on furlough & promised me to v isit Glendale before he returned. I am very sorry to loose Lieut. Crampton.  he was my only companion in trouble & in pleasure. I have just bid him good by he left on a a waggon train for Newcreek at one oclock P.M. I feel as if I had lost my best friend it is a misserable life to lead when not on duty to lay on your cot alone in a tent with nothing to do nothing to occupy your mind. I wish you would send me occasionaly a Harpers Magazine or some other interesting litterature for I am as blue as a violet & feel as crabid as a wet hen. I will try & describe the battle of the 8th to you as near as possible. Thursday morning May 8th we were aroused & called in to line of battle by that terrible signal the long roll you never will know what it is to hear a long roll in active service at about 9oclock A.M. a fue Rebels made their appearance upon an adjourning hill after a sho rt time Captain Highman scattered them with a fue cannister & shill from one of his guns. 4 companies of infantry were sent up to see if possible what their numbers were that failed & at about  4oclock the 25th & 75th Regts were sent up we engaged the enimy for three & half hours   the 25th opening the battle & then retireing reinforcements were not sent to us at first because the Genl did not think we could our position ten min but we did & with credit to our selves  to at about half past eight two regts came up to relieve us the 82nd & the third va or 5 companies of 3rd Va. We had more men killed & wounded in the 75th Regt in that fight than any regt at Pittsburgh l anding in the great fight of the war the 75th lost 9 men killed & 43 wounded this may seem small but it is a good many men for one regt to loose we have a Lieut. Thomas in this Regt who was in nine battles in Mexico & say he never was as hot a fight for the same length of time in his life. Our men fought desperately our coller sergt was shot down & a young fellow by the name of Mike Bradie seized the collers & held them up amidst a shower of  bullets the colonel went  to the flag took it & waived it in defiance at them the Major mounted on a stump & followed & cheered the men until he was quite hoarse.  Captain Morgan stood upon the highest rigde & pointed to the men where they could fire to best advantage.  I never saw cooler & more daring courage in my life & either read of it. 
I saw men fall dead around me & wounded.  It seemed as I were in a dream.  It seemed so unnatural to see the quiet major waiving his cap & hollowing with his hair flying as if he were a demon & the roar of musketry it seemed as if all the fiends of hell were let loose & were wreaking their vengence upon us.  I was arroused by a negro preacher who came with the regt. Who had procured a rifle & was firing a way exclaiming in almost tones of thunder you belong to the deavil & the deavil must have you.  God is with us & God will protect us & may other similar

[letter continues, overwritten on first page:]
Things.  At at half past eight we were relieved by the 82nd Ohio & 3 Va who kept the rebels in check until we could carry our dead from the field.  They however left their dead & wounded upon the battle field.  We lost our Lieut Col Constable he was taken prisoner by the rebels after the battle we fell back to Franklin when we were reinforced by Genl Freemont we now have 30000 men & 60 piece of artilery & about two [thousand?] cavelry.  I sent by Sergt Crampton $545.00 & my watch.  I want father to buy me a cheap watch Hunters case so I will not break so many crystals & send it [asoon?] as he can as I kneed it very much.

Your affect Broth

E.R. Montfort.

E. R. Monfort, letter to Maggie Monfort, 6 Nov. 1862, folder 3, box 1, Elias Riggs Monfort Collection, Duggan Library, Hanover College (Hanover, Ind).

Transcription by Graham Denning, HC 2017.

Hay Market Va Nov 6th 1862

Dear Sister

Your letters seem to come less frequent again and I am becoming again a little blue & anxious to return home. More so since F ather payed me a visit which was a very pleasant one indeed. Through his influence I was permi ted to visit Washington & spend a fue days in peace free from all care & duty which always are unpleasant appendages to an officer in an active campaign in the [Enemies?]  country. We left Centerville on Sunday M orning camped at Manassas junction & imediately went out to perform Picket duty were much troubledby the E nemies ca velry all night & Proceded to this place via Bull Run Battle field in the Morning where now are camped[.]  the weather is very cold & disagreeable we spend the night in keeping up fires cutting wood &c in order to keep our selves warm. I hope we shall soon get some tents or go in to winter quarters some where as it is impossible for men to survive & remain exposed to to the weather I could stand it very well in the S ummer with neither tent or  blanket but now I can not
I hope cousin George is getting better I should like to hear from him if he is able to write I am glad Ike succeeded in getting away from Corin th so well
I learned that Charley Kempen was a frequent visitor at Glendale since the war be gan I do not wish you to encourage him at all to come never invite him to call again & if he [boars?] you with his unwelcome presense tell me in your letters I will write him a letter telling him what a high opinion I have of him & that if he calls again except on business what the penalty will be when I get home. He is to lazy to work to support himself but lives on his father & to cowardly to strike a blow for his country & that kind of men I wish to keep as far away from me as possible.

Excuse haste & bad writing

I am as ever Your Affect Bro

E R Montfort

Elias Riggs Monfort to Margaret C. Monfort, May 8, 1863, folder 3, box 1, Elias Riggs Monfort Collection, Duggan Library, Hanover College (Hanover, Ind.)

Transcription by Meggy Gabadadze, HC 2017.

Hd Qts 75th Regt O.V.I.

May 8 [pencilled in another hand: /63]

Dear sister,

Since I left home we had a very active time we left camp at 4 A.M. on Monday April 26, Marched three days 60 miles around in the rear of Fredricksburgh where occurred one of the most desparate fights of the war where in 15 minutes we lost 6 commissioned officers Col Reuly wound & [prisoner?] Adjt Gano missing Capt Morry & Capt Watkins wounded & in the hands of the enemy Lieut Haskell wounded severely. Lieut Crozet missing.  And one hundred and thirty five men killed, wounded & missing. The old 75th looks thin Genl McLean shed tears [crossed out: the other] yesterday speaking to the regt
Col Friend Captain Keckler are safe & well.

Excuse Haste,

E R Montfort

I am now acting Adjt now

[pencilled in another hand: Chancellorsville]

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