4. Primary Sources
Today you are going to look into the lives of the soldiers and how they lived. Below are 5 letters that were sent home from soldiers during the war. Your task is to read the letters and answer the questions that follow each letter.
Be sure to take the quick check at the end of this.
Letter #1
Samuel Cabble, a private in the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry (colored), was a
slave before he joined the army. He was twenty-one years old.
Massachusetts
1863
Dear Wife i have enlisted in the army i am now in the state of Massachusetts but before this
letter reaches you i will be in North Carlinia and though great is the present national dificulties
yet i look forward to a brighter day When i shall have the opertunity of seeing you in the full
enjoyment of fredom i would like to no if you are still in slavery if you are it will not be long
before we shall have crushed the system that now opreses you for in the course of three months
you shall have your liberty. great is the outpouring of the colered peopl that is now rallying
with the hearts of lions against that very curse that has seperated you an me yet we shall meet
again and oh what a happy time that will be when this ungodly rebellion shall be put down and
the curses of our land is trampled under our feet i am a soldier now and i shall use my utmost
endeavor to strike at the rebellion and the heart of this system that so long has kept us in
chains . . . remain your own afectionate husband until death—Samuel Cabble
Samuel Cabble returned to Missouri for his wife, and together they moved to
Denver, Colorado.
1. What side is this person fighting for?
2. What kind of emotion can you sense?
Original letter
Letter #2
A Letter by George P. McClelland, Union Soldier
Virginia, December 19, 1863
Dear Sister Lizzie,
The weather has been very cold and the duty of the men is severe. They hardly have time
enough to obtain sufficient wood to keep themselves warm.
We have a very strong guard; one half of the Regiment on duty every day for the reason we
have an important post to guard and guerillas are as plenty as blackberries in summer. No one
durst stray half a mile from camp or he will be “gobbled” up. It is really dangerous as we are
liable to be picked off by murderous assassins at any time. I would sooner be in “front” – that
is, with the main Army.
Pardon this scribble. I never take time to punctuate. I require a lecture from you or somebody
else, then I’ll be better.
Ever Your Brother,
George
1. What side is this person fighting for?
2. Why do you think this letter was written?
Letter #3
Letter from John Sweet, Confederate Soldier, to His Parents
Tennessee , November 1863
We have just returned from a trip into East Tenn where we got big amounts of everything to eat
and everything we eat is so good to me as I had been starved out so long on some bread & beef,
all that we got while we were here besieging Chattanooga. up there we got sweet and Irish
potatoes, chickens, molassas, wheat bread and everything that was good for a poor soldier. Oh,
how I do wish that I could be at home now, for it is getting late in the evening and I have had
nothing to eat since breakfast and no telling when we will get rations for our rations are out,
since we left our ration wagons behind in coming here to this place, for I know you have all had
a good & plentiful dinner. I know you will say poor John, but this is only a chapter in military
service which we often read, but I am content and will be more so when we get rations. The
independence of the bounty is what I want and I am willing to suffer for something to eat
many, many days if it will only send me to my dear parents, a full and independent boy.
John H. Sweet
1. What side is this person fighting for?
2. Why do you think this Confederate soldier would be so excited about getting a good meal?
Letter #4
Letter from Zachariah HJ Benefield, Confederate Soldier, to His Wife
Tennessee, April 1864
Mrs Sary Jane Benefield
Dear beloved wife I seat myself this morning to drop you A few lines to let you know that I am
well at this time and hoping this few lines may --- ---- to hand and find you enjoying the best of
health Jane I have no mise of intrust to write to you Only we have had A hard march we
marched five days it snowed and rained every day we are camped a- Zolicofer Tennessee
Eleven miles from the line of Virginia. When you hear from me again I will be in Virginia. I
reckon We have stopped at Zolicofer to rest A few days on Tuesday the 22 of March the snow
fell two feet deep hear & it has been snowing & raining every since We are on our rode to
Virginia I think
Jane we are faring very bad for something to eat we get flour with the brand in it & it is half
oats & man can’t hardly eat it we don’t get half enough if it We steal a little & parish a little. We
can’t buy nothing our money ant no count… Give my love and best respects to all friends I must
close so no more at present Only remains your truly husband until death
Write soon Good Bye When this you See remember Me
Z H J Benefield
1. What side is this person fighting for?
2. What might you assume about this soldier's life before the war?
Letter #5
A Letter from William Norton, Union Soldier, to His Mother
Hilton Head, South Carolina, Oct. 8th, 1862
Dear Mother,
Hearing that there is a mail going out this afternoon I thought I would improve the opportunity
and write you a few lines.
I am sorry to tell you I am not very well at present. I was taken sick about three weeks ago with
chronic diarrhea, and have been in the hospital about a fortnight. I have been pretty sick but I
am getting better now and hope to be well in a few days.
I would like to have you send me some things which will come better in a barrel than in
anything else. I should like some good fresh eggs, a bottle of preserves, some lemons if you can
get some good ones, some ginger root. Some butter would be very nice, it will come better in a
tin can than in anything else. I would like some sugar too. I wish you would send a bottle of
good Cider Vinegar also
I would like some pickled onions, and some dried apples. Some prepared chocolate would taste
first rate, as we do not get good tea and coffee.
A towel and a couple of handkerchiefs will be very acceptable also. If there is any room for
anything else I wish that you would fill it up with onions and good sound apples that are not
quite ripe that they will keep better. Direct to the care of Capt. Sanford, Co C, 7th Regt. Conn
Vols. _____ DD Tompkins Esq Asst. Q M General No 6 State St. N.Y. Please send it as soon as
possible.
I have not heard from you since I have been here but should like to do so every mail. If
convenient please send $5.00 the next time you write.
Give love to all enquiring friends, and believe me
1. What side is this person fighting for?
2. Why do you think this letter was written?
Take a look at the following primary source. See if there are any similarities to other or another document we've looked at.
This isn't a primary source, but it is a really cool story about modern science being used to explain things about the wounded soldiers during the war. Shiloh Story
Source: http://telegraph.civilwar.org/ Middle School Curriculum