A Punishment on the Nation

An Iowa Soldier Endures the Civil War

Brian Craig Miller

• Publisher: The Kent State University Press
• Year: 2011
• ISBN:
  9781612776347
• Topic: Histoire
• Subtopic: Histoire de la guerre de Sécession

The preoccupations and sentiments of a common soldier caught in the most traumatic conflict in American history

Private Silas W. Haven, a native New Englander transplanted to Iowa, enlisted in 1862 to fight in a war that he believed was God's punishment for the sin of slavery. Only through the war's purifying bloodshed, thought Haven, could the nation be redeemed and the Union saved. Marching off to war with the 27th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Haven left behind his wife Jane and their three young children. Over the course of four years, he wrote her nearly two hundred letters, collected here for the first time.

Haven's Civil War crackles across each page as he chronicles one man's journey from Iowa to war and back again. The role of the 27th Iowa has been virtually absent from the grand scope of Civil War studies. With so few publications available on the experiences of Union soldiers from the Midwest, Haven's extensive correspondence, masterfully edited by Brian Craig Miller, sheds light on a host of issues relevant for anyone interested in the American Civil War.

Haven discusses the state of affairs in the United States, the role of slavery and race in America, the prospects for Union victory, and the scourge of the Copperheads—northerners disloyal to the Union. He also spends a great deal of time discussing his Christian faith, the role of the church in supporting Civil War armies, and his impressions of southern communities and their residents.

Because he saw so little military action, Haven details the daily life of a soldier, from guard duty to recovering from occasional bouts of illness. He worries about pay, food, getting news, and his comrades. ["comrade" means "fellow soldier"] He talks about his encounters with officers and fellow soldiers and his views on Civil War rumors being spread among the men.

Haven also check on his wife and small children through his letters. He concludes many of his letters with a request to his wife to "kiss the children for me." Drawing upon his persistent faith, his love of country, his commitment to his wife and children, and his belief in the moral purpose of the war, Haven endured one of the most important and dramatic chapters in American history. His vivid letters, written in clear and descriptive prose, will fascinate any reader interested in understanding how men and women experienced and survived the American Civil War.

CHAPTER 1

Kiss the Children for Me

1862

THE COLLECTION OF letters that encompass 1862 included an early letter that Silas Haven wrote to his parents before his enlistment in the Civil War. The letter described the state of the war for Union forces in 1862. Haven not only explains why the war has emerged but also why the nation must continue to endure the trials of war. The United States had struggled early on in the Civil War, with a humiliating defeat at Bull Run on July 21, 1861, and stalled efforts in the West. His personal convictions against the institution of slavery did not waver as he entered the war. In fact, as the correspondence revealed, Haven’s hatred deepened for an institution that he deemed immoral and a “punishment on the nation.” As historian James McPherson noted, “Experience in the South reinforced the convictions of most antislavery soldiers.”¹

Rockford, Iowa, February 28, 1862

Dear Father and Mother

We are all pretty well at present. I am so that I have kept school all the time, but some days it has been quite a task to go to my school through the snow and storm, when I did not feel well. My side has troubled me a great deal more than it would probably if I could have got things together so as not to have had to carry on my back, but I have had to be on the run about every night this winter to get feed for cow and pigs and also for myself to try to get wood, and I have had to back up a good share of what I have burnt this winter. God will revive his work in this place. I have engaged/bought wood of two different men, and one disappointed me and the other went to the falls last week and left me without any and also without hay, so I have had to back my hay about 50 rolls and pick up my wood, and we have been out of pork and had nothing but flour to live on, so you see that your letter and contents came in good time for which I thank you.² I don’t know what they are going to do with that judgment, but think they will let it out as a bad job for them and conclude to pay the costs for the sake of what they can get. I will inform you as soon as I find out; one thing is certain, I am not going to pay any costs and am going to stand up for my rights.

First, this war is a punishment on the nation. This nation has long upheld some of the most glaring sins, and God punishes national as well as individual sins and as in ancient times. God let them go till their times of inequity were full, so it is now. We have harbored the hydra monster of slavery till there seemed no way to escape from it all, knowing it an evil and great sin, but could do nothing to do it away, and all the time the cries of the innocent have ascended to him who has said vengeance is mine and I will repay; our time has come now, I think, and I do not believe that this war will close till the death blow is struck to slavery, neither will it close without bloodshed. For there is no remission without the shedding of blood and the sooner this war is conducted on the principle of freedom to all, the sooner it will cease.³ The North will have to suffer as well as the South. Many who have offered their sons and brothers to the service of the country, it will prove to [be] a sacrifice also; God grant that in our case it may not prove so, but if it does, let us bow submissive to his will. I believe that this nation will come out of this war better off in some respects than when it was before. The death blow will be given to slavery.⁴ The North and South will have a better knowledge of each other, and therefore understand their dependence on each other and the bounds of religious liberty will be extended, and the way opened for the extension of the kingdom of Christ for civil wars never go backward. There will be probably a large national debt to provide for, but that will have a tendency to teach us economy. The North have been given too much to making money and have not heeded the precept that this is not our abiding place and have been trying too much to lay up those treasure that corrupt it. I do not like the way the war has been carried on so far. I think our government has been too careful or afraid of hurting slavery and have been mild in dealing with traitors.⁵ I am well aware that the departments were and still are full of traitors, but it is time that they were cleaned out and others put in their place. The fact is the war so far has been carried on by the East and has been a money-making concern, and if there is not something done soon, I believe the West will take out of it their hands and close up the thing at once. Our generals about all have a chronic disease of hunting slaves for the benefit of the South and if there is any of the go ahead, and would strike when they could, they are either removed or superseded for fear they will do something. I hope they have got a new set of books opened, as Lane said at Washington, and are going to do something.⁶ I don’t believe we shall lose as many men by a vigorous prosecution of the war as by the waiting do nothing policy. That it may close soon is my prayer. We are going to have a series of meetings next week. The Baptist church is waking up and now we have Baptist preaching every other Sunday. I hope that God will revive his work in this place. We would like to see you very much. Our school is out, but there is a woman who wants to teach two months a one dollar a scholar is she does. The folks here are all pretty well at present and feel pretty well about the war news. Give my love to all. Good bye for this time. From Silas⁷

ON AUGUST 21, 1862, Silas W. Haven joined Company G of the 27th Iowa Regiment. A carpenter born in Windsor, Vermont, he stood five feet five inches tall, had brown hair and blue eyes and a light complexion. At the age of thirty-six years and five months, Haven had been listed on his enlistment document as “Samuel,” but the name had been scratched over with “Silas” written over it. Throughout his enlistment record, the names Samuel and Silas are used interchangeably. He signed his name as Silas, concurring that he had attained a lawful age, enlisted as a sober man, and was physically able to complete his three-year enlistment as a soldier in the Union army.⁸

At the time of his enlistment, the fortunes of the United States had ebbed and flowed in some dramatic fashion. Ulysses S. Grant had won significant victories at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in Tennessee, and also defeated Albert Sydney Johnston at Shiloh. Union forces in the west triumphantly captured several cities, including New Orleans, Memphis, Baton Rouge, and Nashville. In the east, Union Gen. George McClellan marched very, very slowly during his Peninsula campaign, which took his army to the outskirts of the Confederate capital in Richmond, only to be beaten back by Robert E. Lee. Lee looked northward, where his army would clash with Union forces once again at Bull Run in late August 1862.

After his enlistment in August, Haven used his early letters home to detail the daily grind of camp life, his expedition to Minnesota, and his movement into Tennessee. Haven’s early correspondence included a wealth of daily camp life details and his perceptions of the people he encountered. He used the letters to explore his religious views and how they applied to the war. Haven wrote his first letter to his wife Jane from St. Charles, Iowa, on August 27, 1862, and then wrote her again once he arrived in Dubuque, Iowa.

Dubuque, Iowa, September 6, 1862⁹

Dear Jane,

I seat myself this morning to inform you of my health and how we are getting along. We left St. Charles Wednesday morning and went to Cedar Falls the same day. The next day we came through Dubuque. We stop in town, as the barracks are all full. The 21st regiment is still here will leave next week and then we will take their place. We were inspected yesterday and about all of the co. passed. George Ball is going home.¹⁰ It is pretty lively times here now; there must be as much as 20 companies here besides the 21st regiment and more coming every day. There was four or so companies came in Thursday and there yesterday and more expected today. I expect we shall go into the 32nd regiment, but don’t know [for] certain. We expect to go into camp next week if we do expect to get some pay. Fred is well and does well.¹¹ He says he will write next week, but I must hurry as the mail closes at 9 o’clock and I have got to be on hand for drill. You must try to keep your courage up and look on the bright side, and remember that I am in the care of one that doeth all things well. Kiss the children for me and write soon.¹² From your affectionate husband, Silas W. Haven.

Camp Franklin, Dubuque, September 8, 1862

Dear Jane,

I seat myself to write what we have been doing and how we get along. I am going to try to keep a regular journal after today so that when I get a chance to send it off, I will have it ready. We came into camp last Saturday morning and had to build our barracks. Our barracks are 16 feet wide and 50 feet long and have three tiers of bunks on each side, eight in a tier. Fred and I occupy one on the upper tier; they are calculated to hold 98 men. The 21st regiment is here yet, but expects to leave this week. There are nearly two regiments quartered in town and more coming every day. I see a number of men every day that I am acquainted with. Raymond that married one of the Crowell girls is here.¹³ I expect our regiment will be sworn in today, but don’t know. I am in hopes that we shall draw our pay as soon as sworn in, but don’t know whether we shall or not. I can buy good calico here for ½ a yard cotton cloth for 15 cents. Our barracks or camp is 1½ miles from town and I don’t expect to go in very often as it takes up so much time that we can’t stay but a few minutes in town. We have to be here at roll call or else have to stand guard. The guard are on duty 24 hours. Two hours on and four off. We drill from 10 to 11½ Battalion drill from 2 till 4, dress parade at five. We did not drill yesterday, only went on dress parade. I went to town to meeting in the early morning. We had two services in camp in the afternoon. Elder Butley from Independence preached. We draw plenty of rations such as bread, meat, sugar, coffee, etc. I have been well all the time since I left home, but quite a number of our men are sick with dysentery caused by change of diet and eating too much. Most of them are well enough for dress today. I was detailed to go to town as guard, but as there was men enough without, I got clear for today. They have to guard the river and see that no one goes off to escape the draft. I shall try to do my guard, but there our Captain is officer of the day today. There is about everything going on. Some of them in the company got to gambling. He [the captain] came along and put a stop to it, which suited the most of our company first rate, but I must go and drill.

September 10, 1862

I must close this as to have it go out today. We hear a mail brought to camp every night. I want you should write all how you get along. I have not seen any [of] Father’s folks, but expect that they will be along today. The 21st drew their bounty money yesterday and are out mostly out on furloughs. We expect to be mustered in to the regiment sometime this week. I don’t expect that we will draw our clothes till Saturday. They are not here yet, but are expected every day. I got a quilt of Emily till we get our blankets. A lot of us are going to make up a mess to eat together. I have plenty to eat and give part of my rations away to others to eat when we get in to a mess together. I stand the drill without getting tired, but some of them that would be called tough get pretty tired, but I must close. Give my love to all, kiss the children for me and remember that I am in God’s care and that he will take care of me when I am in the path of duty. Have faith in him and all will be well, goodbye for this time. From your affectionate husband, Silas W. Haven.

Tell Ella to write for I want to hear from her. Tell Emmett to hurry and learn to write for I want to hear from him. Tell Kitty to be a nice lady, and kiss them all for me. For I love you all, and think of you all the time. I shall try to write some every day so as to have it ready to send off as often as one allows.¹⁴

Camp Franklin, September 11, 1862

Dear Jane,

Last night we come very near of having a mess. A company from Guttenberg had a notion of leaving on account of not receiving blankets, but got quieted down. Their captain promised them blankets, but only got a few. We were sworn into the regiment this morning and expect to get our clothes soon. I am on guard today, on two hours, and then four hours off. Fred is on guard to the 21st regiment. Their men have all most all on furlough.

September 12

We had a pretty nice time standing guard last, although it was cold. The fore part of the night was dark and quite a number run the guard and then it cleared off and we had quite a time of running to catch them. We got some, six or eight, and three run into the water up to their necks. I expect that Laura and Inez will be down with Sylvester tomorrow.¹⁵ I don’t go out on drill, only dress parade after standing guard.

September 13

Nothing of any particular interest today. The colonel told us that we should have our clothes as soon as they could come from Davenport. I am afraid that we shall lose our captain for I think they will make a field officer of him. Col. Brodtbeck says our company is the best in the regiment.¹⁶ We are going to divide into messes today. The 21st left about ten today.¹⁷ It commenced raining just as they left camp. I have stood guard at the Quarter Master’s quarters since 9½ o’clock. I shall stay about one hour longer and then will get rid of standing when my turn comes till next time, which won’t be for two weeks. I get a pair of boots and a hat that were left. I have not got any money nor don’t know when we shall get any but pretty soon. Fred has got some postage stamps so I borrowed one from him. Give me all information that you can and I think I can manage with the aid of any court and in order to have everything to proceed to suit me. It would be necessary. I did not get relieved last night so I had to stand guard till this morning. They forgot that I was on outpost duty and I sent word to the sergeant major and he came at 9 o’clock, and I sent by him to our barracks and got a quilt and some bread and a dish to get water in and they brought me some supper, and Fred came and stayed with me. We was as well off as if we had been in barracks, as we slept in the house and it rained and our barracks leaked. I am free from guard duty for two or three weeks. Our regiment has (or is) moving into the quarters of the 21st, which is a better place than ours was, but we are afraid of lice. Our barracks appears clean and I am in hopes that our fears are vain. I got your letter last night and was glad to hear from you. Fred got one the same time from Susan.¹⁸ I redid them. The first thing I did you had better believe. I was sorry that you entertained hopes that I would not be accepted for I felt sure all the time that I should. I felt that it was my duty to go and I feel that I have the approbation of providence, and I believe that he will sustain and protect me as he has already so far, and I believe that he will return me once more to my family that I love so well. No one knows what a trial it was for me to leave my family, nor what I did undergo before...