Camp near Brooks Station, Va. June 5. 1863
My dear Sweetheart
A few moments ago, our
chaplain [who never sermonizes, though] and momentary regimental postmaster,
Dr. Velle, pleased me with your dear letter of 29 last month, and as just
now I have absolutely nothing to do I will answer it immediately. I find
it quite natural that Manitowoc once again hoisted the flags in vain upon
the news of a victory in Vicksburg having been trumpeted forth to all the
world. The preponderant part of the people of this place are throughout
loyal and every news about a victory of our arms is being greeted by the
patriots here with enthusiasm and cheers. Pity only that the brave and
faithful folk is being deceived so often. But often one believes something
that one has desired since long with all one's heart's yearning to have
come true before it has become a fait accompli - an established unalterable
fact As with the fall of that fortress. We too rejoiced at its supposed
fall, we too drank to the glorious victory and we too were bitterly disappointed.
The cause of my hangover on Whit Monday would have deserved a better justification.
But next time I will be more prudent arid no more tie one on with joy about
achieved triumphs if these triumphs are not beyond any doubt we have endured
so many a disastrous blow that in the end one cannot believe anything that
aims to a success of our armies. Fortuna seems to be with the wrong side
in this war. May the devil get them, along with their idol Jeff Davis and
his whole riff-raff of treacherous, freedom-suppressing gangs.
For three days now we
are under marching order again, and yesterday and today we have been remaining
under arms from 4 to 6 o'clock in the morning to be prepared for a possible
attack of the enemy. At 3'2 o'clock in the morning already the camp is
being alerted, and then the whole regiment is marching out and draws up
in the camp in battle-array. Up to now, these precautionary regulations
have proven unnecessary, and this game will supposedly not repeat itself
tomorrow. As, nevertheless, we have been given order this afternoon to
keep ready so as to be able to march off from here upon a notice of only
one hour, it might in the end be possible that we will be leaving our present
camp tomorrow. Where we will be going to in that case, we of course do
not know, and I do not like to indulge in speculations about that in this
letter.
Colonel Jacobs is firmly
determined to resign service. He is still lying ill in Washington and wrote
me again the day before yesterday to push forward from here his release,
fully giving me his authorization to deliver some sort of resignation (the
draft of which he had signed beforehand) that should be accepted. With
Krzyzanowski and Schurz I have dealt completely with all means of persuasion
and achieved nothing. I do not know what Jacobs will be doing now, but
under no circumstances he will be returning to the regiment This matter
Is very disagreeable for me, as - will indeed he not return - also my resignation
will not be brought about without great difficulties. Had he have stayed,
it would have been quite easy for me to get away. But it will and must
be achieved in spite of all this. When I do not want any more, no God even
will force me into it
My good, true horse is
being in its last gasps. It has been ill for 8 days now, and probably I
will soon have to deliver the funeral oration for it. The poor animal seems
to have an inflammation in its bowels, and as we are in want here of all
necessary means for healing, it will be lost without hope for rescue if
heaven does not do a miracle, and unfortunately the time of divine wonders
is far beyond our age. Dies it, the government will have to compensate
me with $125.00 for it. For the present, I ride our pack-horse - a true
hack, to my honor, but good enough for the field service.
Eblinger has not yet
written to me, whereas I received a letter from Nordin on behalf of Frau
Pizzola in which I am being requested to dispatch by all means all effects
of Piz. to his wife and under no circumstances sell anything thereof. For,
under the existing laws it is the Majors duty in cases of such kind, to
draw up an inventory of the objects left behind and to sell those for the
benefit of the government or of the possible heirs. But I never had the
intention to do this, as I had promised Pizzola to send his effects to
his wife in case I should survive him. Also from Stove I received a letter
yesterday and have I given him a detailed report on the financial matters
of Pizzola as far as we had to take note thereof officially. He still owes
his company $ 137.00 which have to be deducted from his 2-monthly salary
of about $248.00. Besides, Kolb still has a claim of about $ 60 - 70 Dollar
against him; he wants to present a. testified account and has asked me
to forward it to his wife in the next future. Tell Kati that I still have
to place to account with her $ 50.00 from the side of her husband. He had,
as you will know, given me $ 100.00 at the time of the recruiting, whereof
I have paid partially to himself and partially to others for him about
$ 50.00, and regarding the rest I will have to confer with Koch first,
from whom Pizzola, as he had told me then [on 22. August or roundabout
that time] had borrowed money, without knowing whether Koch had notified
me or had debited himself with it I have forgotten to question Koch about
this. That Piz. still owes Kolb more than $ 60.00 is correct I could see
it from the book and have heard it from Pizzola himself, namely on the
day before our marching off from Stafford (27 April). I had then made a
payment to Kolb, in connection with which Piz. told me that he would still
have to wait concerning his claim against him. At that time, Piz. wanted
to send money to his wife. Did he do it? If not, he still must have had
money in the battle and it then would have in any case fallen into possession
of the rebels. It was so that he received at the time of the payment of
the regiment (end of April) $ 70.00 for two absent members of his company,
and it Is probable that he had sent this money partially to his wife and
partially used it for other purposes. Possible would also be that he still
had part of it in his bag when he died. Also, he owes the company for the
Co. Fund $ 67.00, which make, together with the above $ 70.00, the said
$ 137.00. Kolb wanted his claim to be delivered to the Paymaster General
and also to have it deducted by him from Pizzola's outstanding salary,
but I succeeded to talk him out of this demand as otherwise there would
have hardly been anything left for his wife. You may tell her all this.
Just now I am hearing
again some music very well known to me: The booming of the cannons. There
is quite a roar, and everybody is running to pack up. Anyway, I will have
a few moments of time to write my letter before we decamp, should we indeed
decamp.
9'o'clock in the evening.
Everything is packed and
we are ready to go. The music of the cannons lasted one hour, and now all
is quiet It came from the Rappahannock 7-8 miles from here, and probably
near United States - or Banks Ford, where, as I believe, the 1st or 5.
army corps was going to cross the river in order to undertake a reconnoitering
on yonder side of the river in Ford. They believe that the enemy has thrown
troops of their army in Fredericksburg into Vicksburg, and Hooker intends
to obtain reliable information as to that. Is it true, we probably will
march on. The 2. army corps (Couch) is to cross the river tomorrow. But
don't be alarmed now, it won't be much. News from headquarters through
Merrick of Milwaukee, who, just coming from Howard, paid me a visit. The
enemy had retreated from Fredericksburg this morning, but had reappeared
there during the afternoon. Couch will not be crossing the river, and we
will stay here for the present. It is said that the cannon booming comes
from our own guns.
“They wanted to feel
the Enemy" as they put it here. Great boast, small roast. Do not believe
the newspapers when they drivel about "Grand Movements' of our army, there
is little prospect to it. In Washington, of course panic and fear prevails
again, and everybody here is laughing at it Lee will not attack us here
and, apart from some small demonstrations, we shall not annoy him very
much. It will happen as I wrote you formerly. Our task will be to defend
Washington. Should Lee cross the Rappahannock he will cross it in the direction
of Culpepper and march through the Shenandoah Valley to the upper Potomac
in order to invade Maryland and Pennsylvania. It would this, by the way,
be a very risky maneuver and I do not yet believe in it. Should I against
my expectation have to go into the line of battle again, then I wished
your dream would come true. I would be glad to go home with a light wound,
if else I could not come through unharmed. Nevertheless, I am not afraid
and hope that all will turn out well Friend Rover is hem, he just crouched
to me when it roared soundly. He will go back again on Sunday. I conclude
for tonight and may have to report some more tomorrow morning.
June 6, 10' o'clock in
the morning. Up to now, nothing has happened. The booming of the cannons
did not repeat, and calmness prevails at the Rappahannock. So, all is well,
except the coffee which tastes very bad this morning, albeit the pound
costs only - 43 c here. Your kind offer to keep the last bottle of raspberry
syrup until my forthcoming return is gratefully accepted.
Give my regards to friend
Klingholz and tell him that some lines from his hand would be welcome.
I admit that it will
be difficult for me in the beginning to pursue a profitable business in
Manitowoc, but I hope to be able to acquire without great effort at least
as much as is needed for our livelihood. But no doubt I will find something
to employ my time usefully. You will be in the possession of my pictures
by this time, I have sent them by Greve. Please excuse the ink stains on
my letter. I am writing in front of the tent in the open, arid the wind
has thrown it round. - Apropos, Stove wrote that he is commissioned to
raise the outstanding salary of Piz. for his wife and also to pursue her
night to a pension.
Ask her if I shall settle
for her the claim of Kolb. I will enclose it in my next letter. Please
ask H Koch whether he has an account against Pizzola. And if so, how much
he has to claim.
Give my regards to him
at the same time.
Adieu for now,
warmest regards to you and Mama,
yours,
Henry
Madison, May 17, 1870
Dear Emma,
Thursday evening shortly
before my departure to Chicago I had the pleasure to receive your dear
letter (without date), from which I learned with regret that your condition
has little improved yet. I believe too that for the present rest and just
light moderate movement will be the best for you and will you hence do
good by not going to Two Rivers for the time being, because the riding
is too big a strain which you must avoid in your present state. Concerning
the length of your stay in Manitowoc you will follow entirely your own
judgment. I will not enjoin any restrictions to you in this respect, although
time will be hinging very heavy on my hands. Moreover, it is now so fine
and pleasant here that I am heartily sorry that we cannot make small walks
together in the shadow of the anew exuberantly green trees which adorn
the streets everywhere.
I went off from here
on Thursday evening 9'2 o'clock and arrived at 5'2 o'clock the next following
morning in Chicago and lodged in the Sherman House. I made my journey in
the sleeping carriage, however, could enjoy of no healthy sleep, as the
heavy shaking and rocking, in connection with the big noise which the driving
indefatigably makes, allows no restful sleep.
Through H. Dicks I had
Gustav and Jessie invited for Friday to the Opera Stradella, and both called
for me to the same at the Sherman House. After termination of the performance
I accompanied them to the vicinity of the Gymnasium at North Clark Street,
where we polished off some Barley Juice in one of the numerous beer parlors
and then parted to go to see our respective quarters for the night. Sunday
evening I was together with Gustav alone, and Saturday morning we met in
the photographic establishment of Kiehlholz, who had asked us to meet him
them on Saturday for portraying my physiognomy. It is the same Kiehlholz
who had visited me in Man. a few years ago and who at that time had lived
in Minnesota. After my task with him was finished we drove to Lincoln Park
where we drank some glasses of Soda Water, looked at the beautiful, ingenious
pleasure grounds and then drove back for Lunch. The Park is laid out most
beautifully and will you have the pleasure to see it during the month of
July, as we will at that time have to make a little excursion together
to Chicago to be present at Gustav's wedding. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon
I called for Gustav, drank in his bachelors' Inn two big cups of the best
coffee which R Schlick - one of his roommates - had brewed and to begin
with we betook ourselves with Jessie to the Gymnasium, where the 'Great
Western Band" gave one of their usual Sunday-Afternoon-Concerts - 4 glasses
of beer a person, and for Dinner Gustav was my guest at the Sherman House,
which I then did not leave anymore, but seeked out my bed at 9 o'clock
already, tired out. The next morning 10 o'clock I went off again and arrived
here at 4'2 o'clock; finding Lieschen and Bischoff in full occupation at
white-washing and cleaning, which to my great pleasure is finished by this
time.
That Gustav has been
without an occupation for longer time is an invention, he has lost all
in all only 4 weeks, during which time the work in Vogler's factory had
been suspended Jessie is with a family Malzacher, where she stands by the
mistress at the accomplishment of the housework. The only reason for their
not having married as yet is that Gustav could not, up to now, save the
means for the first purchases for it. Starting from the opinion that it
would be more pleasant and better for both to marry and to also establish
an own household for themselves, I have offered him a loan of $200.00,
which he has accepted after some reluctance. They will now make the necessary
purchases step by step, and as soon as we can go to Chicago. The wedding
is to take place - in about six weeks. Both, as Gustav told me, have been
very happy because of this offer, and I am heartily glad that I am able
to help them a bit.
Both of them wish that Mother would go to Chicago with us, as well as Emit
Father and Max will probably not be able to get away.
I here enclose Jessie's picture for you, she seems to have lost a bit of
weight. Regrettably I have not been able to visit Frau Dicks, and she will
certainly be offended with me for this. By the way, I have, commissioned
Gustav to excuse me with her. I went to see H. Dicks himself in the establishment
in which he is employed. Except of Floersheim, I met nobody of other acquaintances,
not having especially tried to meet any, as that is very burdensome in
Chicago.
Yesterday evening I have been at the "Wedding Party” of H Scribner and
Fraulein Reynolds - a daughter of Colonel Thos. Reynolds - to whom we had
been invited once last winter, however, could not appear. My old friend
John Reynolds, a nephew of the first, brought an invitation to our house
on Thursday and regretted very much that you are absent. He invited so
urgently that I had to promise him to be back from Chicago early enough
to attend the reception ceremonies in the evening. The wedding took place
at 8 o'clock in the Catholic Church (at our street) and the 'Reception'
began at 9 o'clock and ended at 11 o'clock. At night, the young couple
departed by train for Montana Territory. The most striking at this ceremony
was the nuisance of the excessively long trains, amidst which one could
move about only with greatest difficulty. It is this an abominable fashion
which I hate so profoundly as the Welsh Cock a Red Cloth. Would I have
the power, I would have had the weaning of those most miserable of all
dresses prohibited by police and have cut off each train, same as Peter
the Great had let shear off the beards of his Old Russians in former times.
During my stay in Chicago
I made it my mission to study the fashions, for what purpose I took up
my post under the balcony of the Sherman House and examined critically
the ladies passing by, and I am glad to be able to say that I remarked
trains only very seldom. Most of the ladies wore moderately short suits
- comfortable and becoming, and looked rather pretty in them. Certainly
it is only the cocottes endowed with big feet who even advocate that ugliness
and sweep trotters and floor gratuitously. Fie upon this aping of a dead
race. As you have no cause to cover your feet with a train, I do hope to
not having made too much allowance for this disgusting appendage when refitting
your wardrobe.
For this evening, we
are invited at President Chadbourn's; they will be leaving Madison in the
next future. However, I will riot be going, as the sight of those trains
would set me up in arms again- I will stay in my office and rather go on
chatting with you by writing---
It is six o'clock and
– and will I henceforth betake myself to dinner. Just received letters
from you and father, many thanks.
After having filled my
"paunch' with flour pancakes and potato salad and reoccupied my desk chair
in the office, also fit a cigar, I go on, and that in shirt sleeves, as
it is terribly hot Before I forget; let me dutifully give you notice that
I have sent off the stuff which remained from the opera coat to Tavers
this noon, -
Your condition, dear
Emma, worries me quite a bit and if I could have had foreseen that your
indisposition would have increased due to our trip to Milwaukee, we would
under no circumstances have undertaken it. Although you will have with
mother the most attentive and loving care, I would rather have it if you
were here and I could be near you. Yet this cannot be changed now, and
although mother has to bear another burden by this, I am comforted by the
conviction that she will gladly submit herself to the trouble. Do write
me as often as you can, be it only a couple of lines, so that at least
I know how you are.
Father writes me that
the Fence is ready and turned out well. I will write him in a few days
and at the same time send in the interest receipt, as I have today conferred
with Guido about this. Probably he had been embarrassed to tell me about
it, until Papa wrote him in this matter and he then could not but mention
it - Do not trouble about postponing the visit to Two Rivers until you
are all well again.
Concerning ours don't
you worry now, we am getting along quite well and are thanks to God all
well - only has Emil a slight headache this evening, which in any case
is an effect of the unbearable heat. We do need here a good rain and tonight
after going to bed, we shall pray to our dear Lord quite devoutly for this
heavenly manna. Instead of others emaciating in this African heat, I perceive
with alarm and horror that I put on weight, wherefore I will henceforth
eat only half my fill, even if it will not avail. The best remedy will
possibly be to fret day in day out quite profoundly, but I fear that even
this will not help much, as otherwise I should weigh hardly 90 pounds,
as God knows I did not fall short of vexation and excitement during the
last winter, even if I did show off little thereof –
To take Chicago up again:
I am sending you a pianoforte arrangement from which you can see action
of the opera. The choir and orchestra were excellent, whereas I was not
quite satisfied with the singer of the Stradella. Herr Schulz possesses
a well sounding, pure tenor voice which, however, is lacking in volume
and substance for such a part. Also, his performance was not much worth.
Leonore could have been better, too. Frau Huck sings and performs definitely
better, could, however, not be induced to accept the part as I have been
whispered to, because she be in - very tender, interesting circumstances.
There will soon be a
brewer more. –
The big Caesar - I do
not mean that great Roman hero Julius Caesar who fell under the daggers
of his former friends - but Caesar Kemper - has paid several visits to
Frau Glimmer. Who dares to draw wrong conclusions? It certainly not Caesar
and an old widow! Caesar and Cleopatra- hero and model of feminine beauty!
- Caesar and Frau Glimmer: oh well, that is simply ridiculous!
There have arrived several
bazaars which I, however, will keep here, as you can probably borrow the
paper if necessary in Manitowoc.
I advise anybody who
is going to Chicago to keep away, if possible, from the river there. How
human beings can live near this most abominable of all rivers without being
overtaken by its poisonous miasma like by a pestilence, is impossible for
me to understand. A thick, sluggish, kind of sintered mass with a blue-green
cover which taints the air for miles around and makes breathing difficult
for those nearby - a cloacae in which everything deposits that is rotten,
stinking and life poisoning but I will not spoil your appetite. - Happy
he who lives far away from this stagnant plague spot to which many a person
has already fallen victim.
And now good night, my
sweet dear Emma. Give the parents and little Max the warmest regards from
all of us, same as we all greet you from all our hearts and wish you a
quick recovery.
Yours forever,
Henry.
