CIVIL WAR LETTER - 23rd Missouri Infantry - REBELS BURY GUNS near ATLANTA !

Description

CIVIL WAR LETTER
Civil War Letter by Soldier in Co. F, 23rd Missouri Infantry
This historic Civil War soldier letter was written by James Washington Gooch (1837-1880), who with his brothers, Thomas Harrison Gooch (1844-1898), and William Henry Clay Gooch (1839-1937), enlisted in Co. F, 23rd Missouri Infantry. James enlisted in Linn County, Missouri in August 1861 and mustered in at Chillicothe, Missouri, three months later. He was with the regiment—attached to Gen. Benjamin Prentiss’ Division—when they marched to Pittsburg Landing and was taken prisoner after six hours of fighting in the “Hornet’s Nest” during the first day’s action at Shiloh. As a prisoner of war, James’ military file indicates he was confined at Corinth, then Montgomery, and finally Tuscaloosa until he was paroled and exchanged at Benton Barracks near St. Louis in December. (Another source says he was sent to Camp Oglethorpe in Macon, Ga. See:
23rd Missouri Infantry
.) He then was detailed as part of the Provost Guard at Hermann on the Missouri River not far from St. Louis until the summer of 1863. The military files for brothers Thomas and William are nearly identical to James’ record though only James’ contains any mention of his being taken prisoner at Shiloh. (Another source says all 3 brothers were taken prisoner; in fact, the above image is claimed to have been taken in 1862 at Benton Barracks while William and Thomas were on parole.)
All three brothers mustered out of the regiment at Savannah in December 1864 and returned home whereupon James joined Co. D, 62nd Missouri State Militia, which was commanded by his brother John Thomas Gooch (1835-1919) at Enterprise, Linn county, Missouri.
The Gooch brothers were the sons of Thomas Shelton Gooch (1810-1873) and Rachel Trumbo (1815-1895) of Enterprise, Linn county, Missouri.
Transcription
Atlanta, Georgia
September 13th 1864
Brother John & Father,
Your letter this minute has reached me telling of the raid being made through Linn [county, Missouri], visiting you among the rest but doing you no injury which I was relieved of much trouble. I indeed cherish the hope when I can get with you once more to count me in the number who will seek revenge. I am truly glad that the loyal people is no more injured than what they are. I have written 3 or 4 letters within the last ten days but on getting this, I was constrained to answer it also immediately. As to Cal F____ being killed, I suppose will cause no tears to fall from any true loyal man’s eye.
I have told you all the news in my other letters which you will get soon no doubt. Our presence is needed there. But I am sorry to say we can do you no good till perhaps in November. We will not be mustered out till in October [and] then will take some time to get home. We could be held back till the day of our muster in which is the fifth of October (J. E. L, Will & self; Tom the 21st Oct.). They are paying off the Army now. I suppose we could get pay here. We mustered for pay 10th. Pay rolls sent off.
The Army is drawing clothing now. Sherman will not tarry here longer than till the tenth of October. I don’t think he has ordered good substantial clothes to be drawn for the soldiers. When he makes his official report of the campaign, you will hear of the greatest victory of the war. The soldiers is still finding large size guns where the rebels had buried, being unable to take them away. The army are all gone in camp which is a grand sight to look and behold. The tents as far as your eyes can see.
Well, John, I can only say to you and Father to manage the best you can till we come. We are all well—boys generally well. J. Jones has had some pain which has been very severe, but is getting better. I hope and cherish that this may reach and find you and all well and able to keep the whackers at bay till we all come who will come prepared to meet them on any ground.
Now, in conclusion, I will say keep cool, watch closely, keep prepared to defend yourselves wherever met with. Give our compliments to one and all, reserving yourselves our well wishes.
Yours sons, James, William & Thomas Gooch
[to] Thomas & John T. Gooch
Brothers, I learn that you was with John after those rebels. I highly congratulate you for your bravery. Be careful, watch closely. Don’t let the Rebs slip up on you. I hope to be with you soon. Then to lead you on to victory. Yours truly, — G. F. Gooch
Mother, if you have any money on hand, keep it concealed where no one can find it but yourself or family. Never put it in the B____. I’ll close, it being near dinner time and I have to cook. So no more. Wish you well as this leaves us in good health but very lean. A pleasant day,
Jas. W. Gooch
W. H. C. Gooch
T. H. Gooch
to Rachel Gooch, Sarah Gooch, Adam Gooch, Isaac Gooch, and C. B. Gooch
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