Franklin J. Cooper, who has been fighting in the Civil War since 1861, sends his younger brother a letter giving him advice about his future. He realized correctly that brother William E. wants to become a soldier, and will probably not want to follow Franklin's caution that being a soldier is not so very wonderful, as conditions are difficult. (Note: The letters are typed in the form in which they were written, with some inaccuracies in grammar, punctuation, and format. They are typical to people of the time whose education was still somewhat limited.)
* * * * *
Kelly's Ferry, Tenn.
Dec.
12th, 1863
Dear Brother William,
I am
happy to say that your letter has been received and read with pleasure. glad to
hear from you and the "Old folks at home." I got a letter from Mother
several days ago and have answered it. From what she says I should think that
you are pretty well prepared for the winter. I hope it will be a pleasant
winter for all of you. And I am sure that you can be more comfortable at home,
than a great many Soldiers are down here sleeping on the cold ground.
You
wanted to know what kind of business I could get you into. Now there is several
kinds that you could pay you - a U.S. Teamster gets thirty dollars per
month but it is pretty hard work to drive six mules. If you was a little better
penman, you could get a clerkship in a Quarter Masters Office or in a Suttler
Shop. these both pay large wages. But I do not suppose that you will be
satisfied until you have been a 'Soldier' = but don't enlist until we come home
in the Spring = our Regt is coming home to recruit as soon as its time is out
(24th of May) and you can get to be a drummer if you still wish to serve. But I
advise you to keep out of the army. You did not give me the particulars about that Partie. Where was it
at and who was there, was Mary Jones there? Tell me all about it.
Where is
Steve Parker and his wife, have they died of meanness?
As I
have asked all the questions that I can think of, and have no news to write I
shall close. I remain your Brother as ever.
Frank
J. Cooper
To William E. Cooper Esq.
Pittsfield
PS: Wm, Robert Coulter, our orderly Sargeant has started to
Pittsfield to get recruits for Co! Now don't you enlist with him, if he does
want you. If you see him soon, tell him I am "all hunk" and Co. 'K'
do.
Frank
My love
to Mother and the rest of the Family
give the
enclosed slip of paper to Milton.
Sharp
says to tell Gertons that he is a Damned long time getting time to write.
* * * * *
William E. does enlist on the 22nd day of January, 1864. At enlistment he was described as being born in Madison Co. in the State of Illinois, and was 18 years of age, 5 foot 5 1/2 inches high. He has light complexion, hazel eyes and light hair, and by occupation when enrolled a farmer. He joins Co. K of the 16th Illinois Infantry, and begins to serve with his brother Frank's troops. Below is a description and list of the battles in which the 16th Illinois was engaged throughout the war. It is more descriptive than the list posted at the beginning of this family story about the Civil War.
Regimental History
ILLINOIS
SIXTEENTH INFANTRY.
(Four Years)
The Sixteenth Infantry Illinois Volunteers was organized and mustered into United States, service at Quincy, Ill., under
the "Ten Regiment Act," on the 24th day of May, 1861. It was mustered in by Captain T. G. Pitcher, U. S. A.
June 12,1861, moved to Grand River as railroad guard; after which the regiment was scattered along the line of the
road as guard. July 10, Colonel Smith's force was attacked at Monroe Station by 1.600 mounted Rebels, but held his position until the arrival of reinforcements, when the enemy retired. On the 16th, lost two men killed and two wounded at
ILLINOIS
SIXTEENTH INFANTRY.
(Four Years)
The Sixteenth Infantry Illinois Volunteers was organized and mustered into United States, service at Quincy, Ill., under
the "Ten Regiment Act," on the 24th day of May, 1861. It was mustered in by Captain T. G. Pitcher, U. S. A.
June 12,1861, moved to Grand River as railroad guard; after which the regiment was scattered along the line of the
road as guard. July 10, Colonel Smith's force was attacked at Monroe Station by 1.600 mounted Rebels, but held his position until the arrival of reinforcements, when the enemy retired. On the 16th, lost two men killed and two wounded at
Caldwell Station. August 20, regiment moved under General
Hurlbut to Kirksville, and in pursuit of General Green,
arriving at Hannywell
on September 1.
September 10, ordered to St. Joseph, Mo. On 14th, together with the Third Iowa Infantry, had a skirmish at Platte City.
17th, returned to St. Joseph. January 27th, ordered to Bird's Point, Mo. March 3, ordered to New Madrid, where we were attached to the Army of Mississippi, Second Brigade, Colonel James D. Morgan, First Division, Brigadier General E. A. Paine.
On the evening of the 12th of March the Tenth and Sixteenth Illinois Volunteers were thrown forward and erected a line of
earthworks, mounting four heavy guns, within half a mile of the enemy's works.
March 13, the battle of New Madrid was fought, the Sixteenth supporting the siege guns.
April 7th, were landed on the opposite side of the Mississippi, with the Tenth Illinois, and followed the retreating
September 10, ordered to St. Joseph, Mo. On 14th, together with the Third Iowa Infantry, had a skirmish at Platte City.
17th, returned to St. Joseph. January 27th, ordered to Bird's Point, Mo. March 3, ordered to New Madrid, where we were attached to the Army of Mississippi, Second Brigade, Colonel James D. Morgan, First Division, Brigadier General E. A. Paine.
On the evening of the 12th of March the Tenth and Sixteenth Illinois Volunteers were thrown forward and erected a line of
earthworks, mounting four heavy guns, within half a mile of the enemy's works.
March 13, the battle of New Madrid was fought, the Sixteenth supporting the siege guns.
April 7th, were landed on the opposite side of the Mississippi, with the Tenth Illinois, and followed the retreating
army to
Tiptonville, Tenn., where we captured 5,000 prisoners, a large amount of
artillery, small arms and ammunition. April 9, returned to New Madrid;
13th,embarked for Osceola, Ark.; 17th, embarked for Hamburg, Tenn., where we
arrived 22nd. Participated in the siege of Corinth. After the evacuation, pursued the
retreating army to Booneville; June 12th, returned and camped at Big Springs.
July 20, moved to Tuscumbia; 29th, crossed the Tennessee at Florence. September 15, arrived at Nashville, after a
seventeen days' march, with continual guerrilla fighting--loss, one killed and five wounded. Garrisoned Edgefield, Tenn.,
July 20, moved to Tuscumbia; 29th, crossed the Tennessee at Florence. September 15, arrived at Nashville, after a
seventeen days' march, with continual guerrilla fighting--loss, one killed and five wounded. Garrisoned Edgefield, Tenn.,
guarding railroad
bridge. November 5,
garrison was attacked by Rebel General Morgan, who was repulsed, leaving many
dead upon the field. Our loss, one killed and five wounded.
The regiment remained at Edgefield until the middle of July, 1863, when it broke camp and marched to Murfreesboro, where it remained one month thence it marched to Columbia, Tennessee; thence to Athens, Huntsville and Stevenson, Alabama, camping a few days at the latter place, when it made a forced march to Bridgeport, where, with the brigade, it guarded ordnance stores and pontoon bridge against a threatened attack. The battle of Chickamauga having just been fought, Bragg was threatening the rear of Rosecran's army. While at Bridgeport, on September 30, an immense quantity
of ordnance stores, lying directly at the right of the regiment, exploded, by which 14 men were killed and wounded.
Early in October a march was made up the Sequatchie valley, as far as Anderson's Gap, a distance of forty miles.
Up to this time the Sixteenth had been in the First Brigade, First division, Reserve Corps of the Army of the Cumberland.
At Anderson's Gap orders were received transferring it and the entire brigade to First Brigade, Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps. The brigade was commanded by General James D. Morgan, the division by General Jeff. C. Davis, and the corps by General John M. Palmer. The regiment remained in this brigade, division and corps until the close of the war. From Anderson's Gap the regiment marched to Waldross Ridge, and for a few weeks guarded a line of transportation up the Tennessee river; thence it moved to Kelly's Ferry, where it encamped until January, 1864, where it was engaged in the arduous duty of unloading from boats the rations, forage and ammunition sent forward to Thomas' army which lay at Chattanooga, sixty miles above.
From December 20 to 31, the regiment re-enlisted as veterans, and on New Year's Day 1864, left for Illinois on a
furlough of thirty days. [It is at this point where Wm. E. Cooper has joined the regiment on January 22nd, 1864, and enters the war as an 18-year-old soldier.]
The regiment remained at Edgefield until the middle of July, 1863, when it broke camp and marched to Murfreesboro, where it remained one month thence it marched to Columbia, Tennessee; thence to Athens, Huntsville and Stevenson, Alabama, camping a few days at the latter place, when it made a forced march to Bridgeport, where, with the brigade, it guarded ordnance stores and pontoon bridge against a threatened attack. The battle of Chickamauga having just been fought, Bragg was threatening the rear of Rosecran's army. While at Bridgeport, on September 30, an immense quantity
of ordnance stores, lying directly at the right of the regiment, exploded, by which 14 men were killed and wounded.
Early in October a march was made up the Sequatchie valley, as far as Anderson's Gap, a distance of forty miles.
Up to this time the Sixteenth had been in the First Brigade, First division, Reserve Corps of the Army of the Cumberland.
At Anderson's Gap orders were received transferring it and the entire brigade to First Brigade, Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps. The brigade was commanded by General James D. Morgan, the division by General Jeff. C. Davis, and the corps by General John M. Palmer. The regiment remained in this brigade, division and corps until the close of the war. From Anderson's Gap the regiment marched to Waldross Ridge, and for a few weeks guarded a line of transportation up the Tennessee river; thence it moved to Kelly's Ferry, where it encamped until January, 1864, where it was engaged in the arduous duty of unloading from boats the rations, forage and ammunition sent forward to Thomas' army which lay at Chattanooga, sixty miles above.
From December 20 to 31, the regiment re-enlisted as veterans, and on New Year's Day 1864, left for Illinois on a
furlough of thirty days. [It is at this point where Wm. E. Cooper has joined the regiment on January 22nd, 1864, and enters the war as an 18-year-old soldier.]
Returning, arrived at Rossville, Georgia, the latter part of February; went into camp with the rest of the brigade and division. May 5, moved with Sherman's army on the
Atlanta campaign; was in advance of division at Buzzard Roost, where a sharp
fight was kept up for one day, in which the regiment lost 18 killed and
wounded; withdrawing from the front of Buzzard Roost with the Fourteenth and
Fifteenth corps, the latter under command of General Logan, made a night march
through Snake Creek Gap, fighting the battle of Resaca and flanking the rebels
from Dalton. From Resaca the regiment moved with the division which was sent by
Sherman to capture Rome, an important rebel city which was taken after a sharp
fight, in which the Sixteenth sustained no loss. From Rome the
regiment moved to Lost Mountain; thence to Kenesaw Mountain, where for four
days it lay under the fierce cannonade of a hundred guns on that impregnable
natural fortress; was afterwards reserve line of the charging column on June
27, when in a few minutes the army lost 3,000 men; the loss of the regiment was
some 10 or 15. Thence on to the Chattahoochee river, which the Sixteenth was
the first to cross, driving back the heavy picket line of the enemy, losing
over 20 men. [William E. is injured at Smyrna, Georgia, on July 4th, 1864, as the regiment fought to advance into Atlanta. He receives thigh wounds in both thighs by musket balls, and his brother carries him to the back of the fighting line, and props him up against a tree to wait for the horse-drawn ambulance to come and get him to take him to a hospital. During this time, maggots get into his wounds and keep it cleaned out so that there is no infection, and he thus is spared from amputation.] It participated in the battle of Peach Tree Creek, losing a number
by wounds and prisoners by marching into the line of the enemy while the
regiment was making a night reconnoiter to the front. (The next post will feature a map illustrating the battle of the Chattahoochie River, and information about that part of the war.)
After the investment of Atlanta, the regiment held a position on the front line, and for thirty days was constantly
engaged in skirmish firing. About August 25 it withdrew from the front and swung around the city to the west, and on the
30th was in the thickest of the fight at Jonesboro. In the famous charge of the Fourteenth Army Corps at that place, in
which Hardee's line was broken, a large portion of it captured, and Atlanta won, the Sixteenth charged with fixed bayonets and empty guns. Owing to the depression of ground over which the regiment charged its loss was less than thirty, while regiments to the right and left lost twice that number.
After the capture of Atlanta, the regiment went into camp nearly a month. While Hood was making his raid to the rear.
the regiment was sent with the division back to Chattanooga, Huntsville and as far as Athens. Hood having gone farther
west, which changed the plans of Sherman, the regiment and division returned to Atlanta. Here the corps was taken from the Army of the Cumberland, and, with the Twelfth Corps, became the army of Georgia. With this the regiment participated in the famous march through Georgia to the sea. Being on the most advanced post at the evacuation of Savannah, it had the honor of being the representative regiment of the Fourteenth Army corps to take formal possession of the city. Marched north through the Carolinas during February and March, 1865; assisted in the capture of Columbia and Fayetteville; was in the fierce fight at Averysboro, where, during the afternoon of March 16, the regiment lost 15 or 20 killed and wounded, among whom was Captain White, of Company A, who was commanding the regiment, and who fell, mortally wounded, while leading a charge across an open field.
On the 19th, 20th and 21st of March, at the battle of Bentonville, the division of which the Sixteenth was a part,
withstood for five hours, during the first day's battle, the six times repeated onslaught of Johnson's entire army.
The Sixteenth, being in the front line, while repelling a charge saw the rebels, who had been successful at another
point, swing around it, and drive the supporting regiments from their works and into the swamp. Having repelled the assault in front, the Sixteenth climbed over the temporary breastworks and opened fire on what five minutes before had been its rear. After a few-shots, with the assistance of the Fourteenth Michigan, charged the rebel line, capturing some 800. The second day of the battle the Sixteenth, in conjunction with the Fourteenth Michigan, through a mistake order of the colonel of the latter, made a charge into the center of the rebel forces, and for over a quarter of an hour was under as murderous a front and flank fire as ever rained on troops. In this brief space of time a third of the regiment fell, having less than 300 in line in going into the fight, Company A, with twenty-seven men, lost ten, seven of whom died on the field, or soon after. This was the last battle of the war the Sixteenth was engaged in, tent it was the most terrible of them all.
After this battle the Sixteenth was marched to Goldsboro, where it encamped a month; thence to Raleigh and Durham
Station, where Johnson surrendered his army to Sherman. Marched with Sherman's army to Richmond and Washington,
participated in the grand review at the latter place May 24,1865, after which the regiment proceeded to Louisville,
Kentucky, where it was four years and three months, and a week later it arrived at Springfield, Illinois, where it received
its final pay and discharge papers.
Source: Illinois Adjutant-General's Report, vol. 2, p. 35
Battles Fought
Fought on 24 Jun 1861 at Macon City, MO.
Fought on 16 Aug 1861 at Caldwell Station, MO.
Fought on 25 Sep 1861 at Saint Joseph, MO.
Fought on 22 Jan 1862 at Saint John, MO.
Fought on 10 Sep 1862 at Columbia, TN.
Fought on 27 Oct 1862 at Edgefield, TN.
Fought on 5 Nov 1862.
Fought on 30 Sep 1863.
Fought on 9 May 1864 at Buzzard's Roost, GA.
Fought on 14 May 1864 at Resaca, GA.
Fought on 15 May 1864 at Resaca, GA.
Fought on 28 May 1864 at Dallas, GA.
Fought on 29 May 1864 at Dallas, GA.
Fought on 27 Jun 1864 at Kenesaw Mountain, GA.
Fought on 4 Jul 1864 at Marietta, GA.
Fought on 4 Jul 1864 at Chattahoochie, GA.
Fought on 4 Jul 1864 at Chattahoochee River, GA.
Fought on 17 Jul 1864 at Chattahoochee River, GA.
Fought on 8 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 1 Sep 1864 at Jonesboro, GA.
Fought on 1 Sep 1864 at Caldwell Station, MO.
Fought on 13 Dec 1864 at Nashville, TN.
Fought on 15 Dec 1864 at Nashville, TN.
Fought on 8 Mar 1865.
Fought on 16 Mar 1865 at Bentonville, NC.
Fought on 18 Mar 1865 at Bentonville, NC.
Fought on 19 Mar 1865 at Bentonville, NC.
Fought on 20 Mar 1865 at Bentonville, NC.
Fought on 22 Mar 1865 at Bentonville, NC.
After the investment of Atlanta, the regiment held a position on the front line, and for thirty days was constantly
engaged in skirmish firing. About August 25 it withdrew from the front and swung around the city to the west, and on the
30th was in the thickest of the fight at Jonesboro. In the famous charge of the Fourteenth Army Corps at that place, in
which Hardee's line was broken, a large portion of it captured, and Atlanta won, the Sixteenth charged with fixed bayonets and empty guns. Owing to the depression of ground over which the regiment charged its loss was less than thirty, while regiments to the right and left lost twice that number.
After the capture of Atlanta, the regiment went into camp nearly a month. While Hood was making his raid to the rear.
the regiment was sent with the division back to Chattanooga, Huntsville and as far as Athens. Hood having gone farther
west, which changed the plans of Sherman, the regiment and division returned to Atlanta. Here the corps was taken from the Army of the Cumberland, and, with the Twelfth Corps, became the army of Georgia. With this the regiment participated in the famous march through Georgia to the sea. Being on the most advanced post at the evacuation of Savannah, it had the honor of being the representative regiment of the Fourteenth Army corps to take formal possession of the city. Marched north through the Carolinas during February and March, 1865; assisted in the capture of Columbia and Fayetteville; was in the fierce fight at Averysboro, where, during the afternoon of March 16, the regiment lost 15 or 20 killed and wounded, among whom was Captain White, of Company A, who was commanding the regiment, and who fell, mortally wounded, while leading a charge across an open field.
On the 19th, 20th and 21st of March, at the battle of Bentonville, the division of which the Sixteenth was a part,
withstood for five hours, during the first day's battle, the six times repeated onslaught of Johnson's entire army.
The Sixteenth, being in the front line, while repelling a charge saw the rebels, who had been successful at another
point, swing around it, and drive the supporting regiments from their works and into the swamp. Having repelled the assault in front, the Sixteenth climbed over the temporary breastworks and opened fire on what five minutes before had been its rear. After a few-shots, with the assistance of the Fourteenth Michigan, charged the rebel line, capturing some 800. The second day of the battle the Sixteenth, in conjunction with the Fourteenth Michigan, through a mistake order of the colonel of the latter, made a charge into the center of the rebel forces, and for over a quarter of an hour was under as murderous a front and flank fire as ever rained on troops. In this brief space of time a third of the regiment fell, having less than 300 in line in going into the fight, Company A, with twenty-seven men, lost ten, seven of whom died on the field, or soon after. This was the last battle of the war the Sixteenth was engaged in, tent it was the most terrible of them all.
After this battle the Sixteenth was marched to Goldsboro, where it encamped a month; thence to Raleigh and Durham
Station, where Johnson surrendered his army to Sherman. Marched with Sherman's army to Richmond and Washington,
participated in the grand review at the latter place May 24,1865, after which the regiment proceeded to Louisville,
Kentucky, where it was four years and three months, and a week later it arrived at Springfield, Illinois, where it received
its final pay and discharge papers.
Source: Illinois Adjutant-General's Report, vol. 2, p. 35
Battles Fought
Fought on 24 Jun 1861 at Macon City, MO.
Fought on 16 Aug 1861 at Caldwell Station, MO.
Fought on 25 Sep 1861 at Saint Joseph, MO.
Fought on 22 Jan 1862 at Saint John, MO.
Fought on 10 Sep 1862 at Columbia, TN.
Fought on 27 Oct 1862 at Edgefield, TN.
Fought on 5 Nov 1862.
Fought on 30 Sep 1863.
Fought on 9 May 1864 at Buzzard's Roost, GA.
Fought on 14 May 1864 at Resaca, GA.
Fought on 15 May 1864 at Resaca, GA.
Fought on 28 May 1864 at Dallas, GA.
Fought on 29 May 1864 at Dallas, GA.
Fought on 27 Jun 1864 at Kenesaw Mountain, GA.
Fought on 4 Jul 1864 at Marietta, GA.
Fought on 4 Jul 1864 at Chattahoochie, GA.
Fought on 4 Jul 1864 at Chattahoochee River, GA.
Fought on 17 Jul 1864 at Chattahoochee River, GA.
Fought on 8 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA.
Fought on 1 Sep 1864 at Jonesboro, GA.
Fought on 1 Sep 1864 at Caldwell Station, MO.
Fought on 13 Dec 1864 at Nashville, TN.
Fought on 15 Dec 1864 at Nashville, TN.
Fought on 8 Mar 1865.
Fought on 16 Mar 1865 at Bentonville, NC.
Fought on 18 Mar 1865 at Bentonville, NC.
Fought on 19 Mar 1865 at Bentonville, NC.
Fought on 20 Mar 1865 at Bentonville, NC.
Fought on 22 Mar 1865 at Bentonville, NC.
So, now both brothers are involved in the war, and the next document describes the battle of Chattahoochie River, where Wm. E. is wounded in both thighs by musket balls... More to come tomorrow.
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