The central issues of home and family, military life, and spirituality resonate throughout the letters and diaries of both soldiers and civilians from Augusta County, Virginia and Franklin County, Pennsylvania in the years 1861 through 1865. Although these common themes echo throughout the three genres of Civil War writings, the purpose varied, often dictated by the intended audience. Letters published in local newspapers had a large, public audience. On the other hand, personal letters and diaries had a much more private and intimate audience. The audiences of the different genres of Civil War writings varied, but one fact remains consistent. The newspaper letters, personal letters, and personal diaries of Augusta and Franklin County all reflect the intense struggle for individuals to maintain a familiarity with home and family in a time of war.
The Pennsylvania Daily Telegraph (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) published several letters written by officers of the 107th Pennsylvania Regiment, the 158th Pennsylvania Regiment, and the 201st Pennsylvania Regiment from 1861 to 1865. The letters published in the Telegraph express the common themes of military service, spirituality, and home and family . In addition to these reappearing themes, military men utilized the press to express their political and ideological opinions about the war to the public. These opinions, however, rarely found a place in the personal letters and diaries of the soldiers from Augusta and Franklin County. Take for example the comments made by Captain William Tell Barnitz of the 158th Pennsylvania Regiment, Company E
| Since Beauregard'’s proclamation, exhorting his hosts to call all Union men Abolitionists, his allies in the North, seeing that thus they could deceive the masses and array them against the Government, spreading discontent and sowing disaffection broadcast, took up the cry, and every true patriot – every one who dared to raise his voice in behalf of the Government – everyone who favored the vigorous prosecution of the war, the confiscation of rebel property, or the subjugation of the rebels, the only possible means of crushing the rebellion – was trumpeted forth an Abolitionist and execrated as an enemy to liberty. Indeed so utterly blinded were many of the followers – so utterly and hellishly belied, betrayed and deceived – that they would have seen our armies annihilated, and rejoiced, and would have thrown themselves in the way for that arch-traitor Jeff Davis, to ride over in his triumphal entry to our Capitol. But, thank God, the film has fallen from their eyes in good time, the bubble of treachery and deceit has burst, and clearer brighter skies glow around us… Let the fires of liberty, rekindled, be kept steadily burning; let that patriotic association, the Union League, be established in every city, town and township throughout the North. |
In addition to political opinions, military men wrote long detailed accounts of military engagements. Take for example the letter written to the editor of the Pennsylvania Daily Telegraph on June 16, 1862 by Lieutenant J.A.C. of the 107th Pennsylvania, Company E.
| On Sabbath morning, June 1st, our brigade (Gen. Duryea’s) composed of the 107th Penn’a. regiment, New York 105th, 104th, and 97th, made a charge through Front Royal, double quick through mud ankle deep amidst the booming of cannon. On making a charge of over five miles up the south branch of the Shenandoah we found that Gen. Shields’ artillery had a very heavy skirmish with the retreating portion of Jackson’s army. The 107th is on the right of our brigade, and the men acquitted themselves with great credit to themselves and the great State they represent. |
The letters in the Telegraph, informed the public of military victories and military opinions, but they never ceased to remind the public of the soldiers constant struggle to return to his home, friends, and family. Lieutenant J.A.C. concluded the same letter quoted above by saying, "My prayer is, God will protect them and all of us in this noble cause, and restore peace to the country, and that we may return to our loved homes and enjoy the benefits of a free and happy people."
Personal letters and diaries were addressed to a much more private and intimate audience. The overall intimacy of these letters reflects the intense struggle for individuals to maintain a familiarity with home and family in a time of war. Men tended to shy away from bloody accounts of battle in their letters. Moreover, recounting bloody battles in detail threatened to cut the ties with home and brought Augusta and Franklin County men into a realm of unfamiliarity. In order to maintain a connection with home, family, and friends, Augusta and Franklin men wrote about familiar aspects of their lives with those at home. For instance, in the letters addressed to George Miller of York County, Pennsylvania, the letter writers repeatedly talk about rabbit trapping, hunting, and fishing. Take for example the letter written to George Miller by his brother John J. Miller of the 76th Pennsylvania Regiment on September 3, 1862.
| …we caught about five barrels of fish the first haul in about two hours. We had as many as the whole Regt wanted. The fish resembles a large heron and some Cat fish. We mostly catch the cat fish with hook and line. I cannot content myself fishing down here. I would like to get alongside the Godwins once again. |
Augusta and Franklin men consistently evoked images and thoughts of home like the one above when describing their experiences in the field. In contrast to the letters published in newspapers and intended for public view, the familiarities of home helped men at the front maintain a connection with their family and friends at home.
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