Untouched by the Conflict

The Civil War Letters of Singleton Ashenfelter, Dickinson College

Jonathan W. White, Daniel Glenn, Jonathan W. White, Daniel Glenn

• Publisher: The Kent State University Press
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9781606353837
• eBook ISBN: 9781631013799
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: American Civil War History
• Index: History

A rare glimpse into the life of one young man who chose not to fight

Nearly three million white men of military age remained in the North during the Civil War, some attending institutions of higher learning. College life during the Civil War has received remarkably little close attention, however, in part because of the lack of published collections of letters and diaries by students during the war. In Untouched by the Conflict, Jonathan W. White and Daniel Glenn seek to fill that gap by presenting the unabridged letters of Singleton Ashenfelter, a student at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania, to his closest friend at home near Philadelphia.

Ashenfelter was arrogant, erudite, witty, impulsive, self-interested, reflective, and deeply intellectual. His voice is like none other in the published primary source literature of the Civil War era. Following the war, he became a newspaper editor and the US attorney for the Territory of New Mexico. The letters' recipient, Samuel W. Pennypacker, went on to become the 23rd governor of Pennsylvania.

Covering the years 1862–1865, Ashenfelter's correspondence offers a rich, introspective view into the concerns and experiences of a young, middle-class white man who chose not to enlist. His letters reveal, too, the inner world of a circle of friends while they mature into adulthood as he touches on topics of interest to scholars of 19th-century America, including romance, religion, education, social life, friendship, family, and the war.

CHAPTER ONE

1862

Dickinson College, Apr. 25th 1862.

Dear Pennie,

Just four weeks ago this very day, and at about this hour, (7 A.M.) I bade you farewell at Phoenix depot and now after this interval of silence, I sit down to write to you. As I have been rather derelict, I will offer you a batch of excuses. First, I have been so devilish lazy since I have been here that I could scarcely find time to write to my relatives, female acquaintances, and to Mr. Llord;¹ whose connection with me, as shown in the trivett*, gives him the preference. Second, I wished to “learn the ropes”; to become acquainted with the ins and outs of College life before I addressed you, in order that I might have material enough to make an interesting letter. Third,—but enough of this; I suppose two will excuse my slowness.

Previous to giving you my experience of College, I will describe the Faculty. The Pres. is Herman M. Johnson, D.D.² I do not think I was ever so much disappointed in the looks of a man before. He is as short, lean, dried up, and sneaking looking personage as ever I set my eyes on. Nor does his character give the lie to his face; for after dark he will track a student all over town, creeping along like a snake, watching, and coming up when least expected. It is no unusual thing for him to go down town, walk into a billiard saloon, and scatter the players with, “to your rooms gentlemen, to your rooms”; and frequently, at midnight, in slippers, he sneaks over College, making sure that every student is in his room, and that no mischief is plotting. So much for him.

The other members of the faculty are Wm. C. Wilson,³ A.M., professor of natural science &c, Rev. Wm. L. Boswell,⁴ A.M. professor of Greek & German, John K. Stayman,⁵ professor of Latin & French, Saml. D. Hillman⁶ A.M. professor of mathematics and A. F. Mullen,⁷ principal of Grammar schools; these are all perfect gentlemen, and each looks as if he understood his own department, and they do.

A few nights after I came here an attempt was made to squib me; the squibbers tied my door shut, and then put[t]ing in the quills commenced to pound on the door. [F]ortunately for my rest, the powder did not go off; when they do explode they fill the room with such intollerable stench that sleep for the remainder of the night is impossible.⁸ They kept up the pounding at my door from 11½ until about midnight, when having aroused the College, and there being a probability of Doc. Johnson’s appearance, they thought it prudent to beat a retreat. They did not make much for neither chum nor I got out of bed. A few nights afterwards I joined a party of squibbers myself. A new fellow came on from Baltimore,⁹ and Shaffer,¹⁰ four other fellows, and myself resolved to initiate him. Accordingly squibs being prepared, (by filling quills with alternate layers of dry and wet powder) and having ropes we set to work. Tied the door, sent the squibs flying through the key hole, and commenced to pound the door with clubs. When we had kept this nuisance up for about ten minutes, and stop[p]ed to take a little rest, one of our number, a fellow named Bowman,¹¹ was seized by the arm by a Prof. who had stolen upon us unawares. (It was near midnight, and very dark[.]) Bowman, with a sudden jerk, landed the Prof. on the floor, and we all run out of the hall, and closing the door after us held it so that he could not get out except by a round-about way. He came and tried the door, but finding it fast, started back for the other way, while we ‘cut stick’ for our rooms. If a professor had called five minutes after he would have found us all in bed.

All students are required to be in their rooms during study hours. The Profs. make visits at irregular times in order to see that they are in. The night before last I was sitting in the room of a young fellow named Burnight,¹² enjoying a game of whist during study hours, when I heard a slippered foot ascending the stairs; I listened and heard my room door open; I knew what was up then, and so I started for my room. I opened the door and step[p]ed in and found Doc Johnson seated very comfortably in an arm chair talking to my chum. I said “Good evening Doctor.” “Good evening sir,” was the reply. The old cock then proceeded to ask me concerning my studies, &c. I told him the necessary amount of lies, and he departed. I found however, that he had asked my chum several questions concerning my habits, &c; chum—who by the by is very religiously inclined—gave him a good account of me, and so I guess he is not much wiser than before his call. We had made arrangements to tick-tack the old hoss, that night, and so we determined to give it to him right.¹³ We fastened the apparatus in the attic, and commenced about 11 o’clock after working for about a half-hour, and producing no Johnson, we held a council of war, and I was chosen to go to his room and see whether he was in.

Accordingly I ascended the steps and knocked at his door, and step[p]ed aside ready to run should he appear; he did not, and so I knocked again; this produced no response and so I kicked. After raising the devil generally, I came to the conclusion that Johnson was not in and that we, therefore, were sold. We did not mention that scrape to the rest of the stud’s.

Now as I have written to you the longest letter that I ever wrote, and as I am rather tired of writing, I will close. Sending my respects for Lloyd, Dick,¹⁴ Dutch, Hal,¹⁵ and all other friends I am,

Very truly yours

Sing Ashenfelter

Particular P.S. Just give my pious regards to Emmie Ullman,¹⁶ or [sic] and tell her that I will tend to her case when I get back to Phoenix.

Do not let any one see this through whome its contents might reach Father.¹⁷ Albert Shafer,¹⁸ for instance.

SA

Dickinson College May 22nd [1862]

Dear Pennie,

Yours of the 14th inst. lies before me: I submit the following as an answer. As it is devilish hot, and as I, having thrown open the window, door, and ventilators, have, for the last half-hour, been sitting with head and legs projected from the former, in vain attempts to catch a breath of air, and at length, completely “bored,” first, to d—n hot weather, and second, to write, have thrown myself into a seat, you must not expect this to compare in excellence with the letter to which it purports to be a reply.

“Assuredly” it gratifyeth my feelings exceeding much to know that my friends appreciate the merits of early rising; and verily it would afford me much pleasure, if I could feel assured that they put into practice that which they so much admire in others: wanting which assurence, I lack also the accompaning pleasures.

Your allusion to “Smike,”¹⁹ although not altogether without ‘point,’ still, is minus consistancy; for you will find it utterly impossible to reconcile my character of “Joe” (“D—n that boy he’s asleep again.”) with one so much at varience with it, as “Smike”: and if doubt should arise as to which I personate, by a reference to my form and habits, it will be readily be [sic] perceived that my similarity to the former gives the solution. But enough of this foolishness.

Pennie, I thank you sincerely for those remarks, for I know they were made with the most friendly feelings; but in reply, allow me to assure you that I did not act entirely without thought. I was a stranger to all except Shaffer, and wishing to get into good favor with my fellow students, I adopted the course which I thought would most readily produce that result. I think I am justifiable in saying that I succeeded in my design.

I have recitations in the following books: Ovid, Latin Grammar, Latin Prose (Arnolds), Geometry, Manuel of Classical Literature, Greek Reader and Grammar, Fowler’s Rhetorical Forms, and Anatomy. The Greek Reader and Grammar are not studied by the Freshman Class, I study them because I am behind in Greek; at present the class is reading Homer.²⁰ I expect to be up to them by next September. Your supposition that much attention is given to the languages is a correct one. My boarding is $2.50 per week washing $1.25 per month; but I will send you a Catalogue containing all the particulars and then you can judge for yourself.²¹ The annual expenses are a little more than the Catalogue says, but still I think they are very cheap. I think, with a little study you could enter the Junior Class without much difficulty; you could make up all that would be nessary in two months. If you would come on next September and enter Junior, I do not think it would cost you over $250 to $500 to graduate, although it would depend a great deal on your habits. I think you could obtain a scholarship for two years for about $20.00, and then of course you would not have to pay tuition fees.

I am very sorry to hear that Ben²² is sick, and I hope, when you answer this, you will be able to inform me of his recovery. It would have been better for him if he had never entered the army, but had kept on at school.

Bully for the “lecture tickets,” and D—n Powers. Three cheers for Priestly and Mellon,²³ Three and a tiger²⁴ for the glorious old Y.M.L.U. “long may she wave[.]”

Bully for the girls, and Richard, luck to Little Mac,²⁵ and to the devil with his “plan,” long live Greeley,²⁶ curse the cowardly ‘rebs’ thanks to Jake March,²⁷ regards to Lloyd, Dick, and all the rest, and I am

Very Truly Yours

Sing. Ashenfelter

P.S. I will answer Lloyds letter soon; tell him he must excuse me for not answering it first, as I wanted to give you the particulars. SA

[Editors’ Note: Throughout his subsequent correspondence, Ashenfelter occasionally alludes to the five-dollar wager established in the following note.]

Phoenixville Aug 11th 1862

On the day of my marriage I promise to pay to the order of Saml. W. Pennypacker the sum of five dollars; providing said marriage take place before the 9th day of May 1884[.]

Sing Ashenfelter

Dickinson College Sept 28th 1862

Dear Sam,

At length, after delaying the matter almost a month I once more sit down to address you. Since my arrival here, I have not applied myself to study as strictly as I had expected. In fact, I dropped College, took up war, and started out as a “militia.” The way of it was this. Heard that Pennsylvania was invaded.²⁸ Heard, moreover, that she appealed to her patriotic sons for defense. Great excitement in town: Everybody patriotic. Caught the prevalent feeling. Came up to College and wrote the following.

Hark! The bugle, loudly sounding,

Calls us from our task away.

Rattling drum and war horse bounding,

Tell us of the coming fray.

We must leave all other duty,

’Tis our country calls us now.

Rall[y]ing ’round our flag of beauty,

Hear an[d] register our vow.

By the blood of fallen heroes, by the power that reigns on high,

We will meet the base invaders, drive them back, or, fighting, die.

Thought I had evinced sufficient patriotism, and consequently felt releived. Took a second thought and came to the conclusion to join the “milishe.” Went down town and fixed my name to the roll. Began to feel enthusiastic. Company fell into ranks, and marched up to the depot amid cheers of the populace. At depot—order given “Company rest.” Company rested, (in ranks,) for two hours. Began to grow tired of resting. Three hours. Mutiny began to be visible. Men straggling out of ranks. Recalled to duty by the whistle of the cars, which soon came to hand. Jumped aboard. Tra...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Halftitle Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Illustrations
• Foreword
• Acknowledgments
• Note on Method
• Abbreviations
• Key Participants
• Introduction
• Chapter One: 1862
• Chapter Two: 1863
• Chapter Three: 1864
• Chapter Four: 1865
• Epilogue: Postwar Romances
• Appendix A: Curriculum at Dickinson College
• Appendix B: Summary of Expenses to Attend Dickinson College
• Appendix C: Dickinson College during the Gettysburg Campaign
• Appendix D: Ashenfelter’s 1864 Speech, “Capital Punishment”
• Index