Adkinson Letters

Letters, 1863-1864

Excerpts for Discussion April 13, 2010

Joseph Adkinson, letter to Irvin, 10 Feb. 1863, Adkinson Collection, 11:1, Duggan Library, Hanover College (Hanover, Ind.).
Transcription and notes by Erin Torline, HC 2013

Camp 3rd Indiana
Culpeper Co Va
Feb./10th/63

Brother Irvin

Yours of the 23 of last month came to hand in good time[.] was glad to see it and more so to get the Photo, I think it the most natural I ever saw[.] it did me all most as much good as to see you[.] was sorry to hear that you had bin so unfortunate in your sleighride[.] I was all ways very fond of that [bur's?] but dont think that very pleasant paying to dearly for it[.] dont you[?] But on that day I was allmost as badly fixed[.] we was on the march from Culpeper to Washington a distance of 35 miles[.] it was as cold in the afternoon as I ever felt[.] we mad afire and lay ourselves down to sleep on a pile of pine brush and slept sweetly[.] you would hardly think man could become so hardy he can stand cold allmost as well as the horse[.] so you see if you had bin with me you would have to no very pleasant time of it[.]

Well Irvin we have no niews to write[.] the boys are all well[.] Sam is in fine spirits Now[.] Fogelman I know but little of. Nor do I wish to he is the same pintle[.] you need not tell this though[.] Levi is all right The shorter the letter the better unless one has something to write so I close write soon your

Brother

Joseph Mc Adkinson

Douglas Hospital
Washington

Tuesday morning 4 oclock Nov 24 1863

Sister Molly

Yours of the 15th came to hand yesterday[.] was as I allways am glad to get it , I am here yet[.] hope to remain during the winter[.] Levi is well only his ears he hears very badly[.] I herd yesterday from Sam he was well , and driving team but dident like the bur's. Saw Tom Leamp Allen Burton and 4 or five more[.] they are going home recruiting, you will see some of them soon[.] Hope All & Mery Ellen will close the bargain soon[.] Mery tell uncle for me to give his school the interest and principle this winter for they havent had either there for sometime[.] I never believed much in whipping but think I should have to do some in that fix were I so situated. Tell Jim & Will to spair not the rod but apply it on all good ocations[.] would like to step in to Minnie s school some day when she dident know I was a bout to surprise her[.] I close, hoping this may find you all enjoying the [best] of health the greatest Blessing of life[.] write often your Brother Mc

Camp 3rd Indiana

Dec. 30th /63

Bro, Irvin

You very kind & wellcome letter came to hand a fiew days ago[.] was some what astonished to le[a]rn that I had sent Oliver[ ]s letter to you in stead of yours[.] you was right [that] I had written a fiew lines to you both & sent two photograph[s,] one as good as the other so that it is allright as it is[.] would like very much to have yours in return if it is convenient for you to send it[.] was glad to hear you was getting a long so well with your school[.] hope you may continue to to have a good time[.] I am having as good [of a] time[.] I am haveing a soldiers time[,] & that is a hard time[,] for soldiering is hard in winter[.] we have a house here or something that we call someone[.] here it is[:] 13 feet by 7 covered with shelter tents with a hole in one end for a chimney[,] the consequence of which is that we are tolerable well smoked[.] we live in hopes that we will have a chimney some day if ever[.] Well Irvin there oure some pleasuers in this world but they are but fiew here[.] yet it isent for the pleasure that we are here[,] but for the country[.] Now Irvin[,] you must write and tell me what kind of ckristmas you passed[.] it was[,] to me[,] quit[e] different from any I ever passed before[;] it being the first I ever passed from home[.] I passed it with Sam in cullpeper[.] the boys are all well & if any one askes you any thing of the veteran couse[,] tell them it is played with the 3rd[.] now I close[.] write soon[.] your Brothe[,] Mc

Camp, 3rd Indiana
Culpepper Co Va.

Jan 22 / 64

Brother Irvin as the day is pleasant and nothing to prevent[,] I will write you a few lines.

We are hereencamped and have tolerable good quarters[,] and more we are in camp [8?] days then out on picket 4 so we have 2/3 of the time in here[.] when out on picket the duty is not very heavy[.] the lightest we ever had since I came to the regiment[.] Sam, Levi and Fogleman are all in good health. Sam is driving mules. Fogleman is cooking for the Shoulder Straps [officers] we are enjoying our selvesas best we can[.] we have 2 or 3 letters to read which passes the evenings some what pleasantly.

The veteran couse is creating some excitement here but this regiment will barely go now they useto be in but having bin fooled so often they [at?] conclude to dry the thingup by letting them know that they only want to see the present 3 years[.] this is almost all the excitement there is now with the exception of the talk that the President is going to call 800,000 thousand more men.

There has bin hardly any snow byet this winter but some very cold weather[.] at least I thought so some nights when I had to crall out of my bunk to stand picket 2 hours on horseback[.] now I have written all this is of any interest to you perhaps more[.] write soon and don t forget to send your Photograph to me

your Brother

Mc

Point Lookout, MD
June 3, 1864

Mr. Francis Adkinson

Dear Sir,

I wrote a letter a few days ago for your son, Joseph, who is in the hospital at this place. And at his request, I write you again in answer to a letter which he received this morning from his sister. It is the first he has had from home since he has been here.

I am sorry to say that he is not getting along as well as we hoped he would when I wrote for him a few days since.

On yesterday morning the wound commenced bleeding and the nature of the wound was such that the doctors on consultation decided that it was necessary to amputate the leg, which was done yesterday about 12 o'clock. He was placed under the influence of chloroform. I saw him a few moments after the operation. He was cheerful and not as much prostrated as I expected. I saw him twice during the afternoon and evening and he appeared to be doing well. I saw him again this morning at 8 o'clock and he appears to be comfortable. He told me he had received a letter from home and wished me to answer it.

I know it will be sad news, and yet it is best you should know it at once.

What will be the result in his case, of course we cannot tell. God only knows. It is but right however, that I should say that the doctors think the probabilities are that he will not recover.

While there is life there is hope. He is in the hands of the infinitely wise God who does all things right.

I have been trying to direct his mind to the Savior, the great physician of both soul and body, and my prayer is that the Lord will prepare him for life or for death.

I will write to you again if any material change takes place.

May the Lord bless and sanctify to you this and all his dispensations is my wish and prayer.

Yours truly,

D. D. McKee
Chaplain

Point Lookout, MD
June 5, 1864

Friend Adkinson,

I wrote you on yesterday rather discouragingly about the case of your son. The case is still a very critical one but I am happy to say that the indications this morning are more favorable than they were yesterday and more so than we hoped they would be.

I will keep you informed every day or two of his case. I do so because I know the anxiety of friends.

Yours truly,

D. D. McKee
Chaplain

Point Lookout, MD
June 6, 1864

Mr. Irvin Adkinson,

Your brother Joseph Adkinson is in the hospital here. He handed me your letter to answer.

He was wounded in both thighs. The right leg was amputated on Friday last. The wound in the other thigh was slight and is nearly healed. His case is a very critical one. The doctor told me he had but little hope of his recovery. I thought yesterday he was better, but he is not so well today.

Yours truly,

D. D. McKee

Point Lookout, MD
June 7, 1864

Mr. Francis Adkinson

Dear Sir:

I suppose you will be expecting to hear from me as I promised to write every day or two in reference to your son.

I did not give you much encouragement in my last and I am sorry to say that my worst fears have been realized. Joseph died today at 3 o'clock.

Day before yesterday he seemed to rally, but during the night he had a chill and yesterday morning as soon as I saw him, I felt that there was no hope. Last night he had another chill and this morning when I called he was scarcely able to speak and he continued gradually to sink. He did not appear to be in much pain but appeared exhausted.

I had spoken to him several times on the subject of religion. He admitted its importance and on yesterday I earnestly pressed upon him the necessity of an immediate attention to the matter. He said he would think about it and asked me to talk with him again. But this morning he was so feeble that I could not learn distinctly which were his feelings or prospects. I called to see him about half an hour before he died. He recognized me and spoke to me. I spoke to him the promises and invitations of the Savior and told him in the dying pain he might seek and find the Savior. He whispered "this is my dying [hand]." I stood by him until he expired and held his hand in mine.

He has passed away and is in the hands of that God who does all things well.

To the compassionate Savior I would direct the deeply afflicted family. And may the Lord bless and sustain you and sanctify to you all this severe affliction, is my prayer.

Be assured of my sympathy with you all in your Savior.

Your friend
D. D. McKee
Chaplain

P. S. I cut a lock of hair and send it. His property and money is in the hands of Dr. Miller, one of the surgeons and will be forwarded by express if you so order it.
D. D. M.

Point Lookout, MD
June 14, 1864

Mr. Irvin Adkinson

Dear Sir:

As you requested, I have drawn up a very brief memoir of your brother which I herewith send you.

Died on Tuesday, June 7, 1864, in the Hammond General Hospital, Point Lookout, Maryland, from wounds received in battle on the 12th of May, Joseph Adkinson of Mooresfield, Switzerland Co., Ind.

He entered the service in the summer of 1861. The regiment was immediately ordered to join the Army of the Potomac, where it has remained ever since. He, with his regiment, shared in all the previsions and dangers of the campaigns of '62, '63, and '64 and having helped to earn, he shared in the honor that belongs to the 3rd Indiana Cavalry.

His regiment formed a part of the cavalry force led by Sheridan in his raid around Richmond and it was in one of the battles fought in that raid in the Chickasome swamp that he was wounded.

He was brought to the hospital at Point Lookout on the 16th of May and for a time his wound appeared to be doing well and he was anticipating a speedy recovery.

But secondary hemorrhaging occurred to a point which amputation of the leg became necessary. But this proved [ ].

Although for a day or two he and his friends entertained hopes of his recovery, yet the shock was more than his system could bear. He was seized with a chill and in a few hours the scene cleared.

He said but little as to his hopes and prospects for the future, yet we have some ground to hope that his thoughts were turned in his last hours to the Savior of sinners. Thus he died another victim to this cruel and wicked rebellion.

D. D. McKee
Chaplain

Point Lookout
June 24, 1864

Mr. Francis Adkinson

Dear Sir:

Your letter of the 17th was received this morning. You will probably have heard before this reaches you that your son from New York, whom I had written before Joseph's death telling him of his condition, got here a few days after his death. He received, from Dr. Miller, Joseph's money and property.

And at his request I wrote a brief obituary of your son and sent it to him a few days after he left.

I did not hear from your son the particulars or the circumstances of his wounding, whether on horseback or not. I am under the impression it was received on foot as both thighs were hit by the same ball. The wound on the left leg was slight - - - it was the right leg that was amputated. He was willing for it to be done. In fact they do not compel any to submit to operations. They state the case to them and let them decide. He was very cheerful and hopeful. I thought he was going to recover and I never had any other thought until the bleeding commenced anew after the amputation. The next day he said to me he felt that he had a better chance now than before. And I felt very hopeful until the second night after the amputation he had a chill. The next morning I saw a marked change for the worse and the night following another chill and in a few hours he died.

He spoke to me of the family at home and appeared to feel much interest in home matters. His grave is marked with his name and regiment on a board at his head. There is an order prohibiting the removal of bodies before the 1st of October.

I desire no other compensation for which I am able to do for the gratification of the friends of the deceased soldiers than to feel that I have contributed something to alleviate the grief and to be permitted to mingle my sorrows with theirs.

May the Lord bless you and every member of the bereaved family and sanctify to you all this bereavement.

Yours truly,

D. D. McKee
Chaplain