Franklin County: Jacob D. Miller to George Miller,
June 3, 1865
Summary:
Jacob Miller describes events at the close of the war in the South. He includes a
description of the taking of Spanish Fort, Montgomery, and Mobile.
The United States Christian Commission
Sends this sheet
as the Soldier's messenger to his home.
Let it hasten to those who wait for
tidings.
George Miller
June 3, 1865
Montgomery
Dear Brother
The United States Christian Commission
Sends this sheet
as the Soldier's messenger to his home.
Let it hasten to those who wait for
tidings.
I raise my pen after a long march and considerable [unclear: fighting].
we left the enemy [illeg.] the first of march and got aboard a boat and
went below [illeg.]
[illeg.]
[illeg.]
[illeg.] a fiew days and [illeg.]
[illeg.]
[illeg.] the ship guiding star and crossed the gulf of mexico there was
5 regiments aboard they were most all sick it was the most miserable
[unclear: place] I ever was in we landed at fort garris Dauphine
Island and from there we took a boat for fish since Dauphine Island is a verry hot place plenty of oysters and the prettiest sea
shells you ever saw the [unclear: ferns] grow there from leaf we
landed
[page 2]
fish since and camped 3 days and then marched 3 days and
met the rebs and drove them in their works wich was
spanish fort we then comenced to throw up breast
works and was under fire 13 days There was a good many fell we was exposed to
shot and shell all the time our tents where full of hole
a good many wouded in their tents and a good many
while kooking
there meals there was 14 killed & wounded while
eating with a shell i was pretty bad scared when they got a cross fire with
their heavy guns the shell would way about 150 lb and
when they would strike they would bust i come only near geting my last [deleted: ]
[illeg.] at one place i was put on [unclear: picket] and was
behind
[page 3]
a tree and couldent leave
untill dark I hadent
dare to sho
my self the 8 of April we charged the rebs the balls
flew far all that was out after about 4 hours fighting we took the fort we took
700 prisoners then we where ordered to march we marched
to montgomery where we now are this is the finest citty
in the south the talk here is that the war is over and we are going home i don't
know how it is i hope it is so for i am tired of this war when you write leave
me know if John is home and how you are all getting along I must soon close,
pleas
ex cuse these fiew
[page 4]
hasty scribbled lines blakley was taken the day after we took Spanish fort it is
about 4 miles from where we where we could hear them
bombarding at Mobile too it apeared as if an
earthquake when they all comenced
No more From your True Brother
Jacob D Miller
Answer & direct to Co. F 8
Penna 16 army co Montgomery AL
You must excuse the
envelope this is all we get from the cristin
comision
