Parrott, Henry C., fl. 1861-1877 Lieut. in 75th Illinois Vols. [decimalized]

Lieut. in 75th Illinois Vols. [word processed inventory available]

Henry has been in one fight and it was a victory though 42 men were killed and 161 wounded in his regiment. He expects another fight this afternoon. The Confederates left without burying their dead and the men can barely walk around camp "at night...

GLC03858.02.01

to sister

It is difficult to find water on march as the streams have all dried up; the river they are camped by is the first running water he has seen since they crossed the Ohio. He read a letter from his father to John and found it most encouraging. The...

GLC03858.02.02

to sister

Henry has been on the march since he last wrote and expects to be for some time to come. There are about 40,000 troops there and more are always arriving. They killed fourteen men in a skirmish with Morgan's Cavalry.

GLC03858.02.03

to sister

He estimates that two-thirds of the company is sick though he boasts that "since I joined the army I have had better health [than] I ever had before." The Cavalry had a skirmish with the Confederates and the Union forces took 2,00 head of cattle...

GLC03858.02.04

to Sophia Parrot

Henry's regiment marched through Nashville to where they are now camped. He appreciates the letters he has received; they are "worth more than a hundred dollars away down here in rebeldom." A rail broke under a train bound for Louisville and three...

GLC03858.02.05

to Maggie Parrot

His General, P. Sidney Post, led them in Battalion Drill today. A Lieutenant Colonel from his regiment was taken prisoner while doing reconnaissance. "Secesh Cavalry are seen every day and occasional[l]y some are brought into camp." He mistook a...

GLC03858.02.06

to sister

Henry wishes to know how the his family at home is doing and if his father has sold the farm. He will send his father a suit of clothes and a revolver as soon as possible.

GLC03858.02.07

to Sophia Parrott

All the rain has made the roads very muddy and nearly impassable. He expects to paid soon. He was playing ball with the other men but paused to write.

GLC03858.02.08

to Sophia Parrott

Henry reports "I am well and like a soldier's life very much," though he is a bit lonely and homesick. There was a grand review of his division for General Rosecrans the week before and the General pronounced them in "splendid fighting condition."

GLC03858.02.09

to sister

He does not have much to do except drill the company now and then. He does not expect to be away for more than another year. Missing envelope identified in inventory.

GLC03858.02.10

to sister

General Rosecrans is "still entrenching very strongly." Henry saw "one of the greatest traitors of our land," Vallandigham, as he passed through the Union lines to join the Rebel Army. John is not well. Signed with the rank of Lieutenant. Two...

GLC03858.02.11

to sister

They have had some very difficult marches and battles and have advanced through the Cumberland Mountains "driving the rebels before us." He reports that "Bragg with the rebel army has gone to Chattanooga and will make ready there for another big...

GLC03858.02.12

to sister

Henry is sorry to hear that Sophia is not well and regrets that he cannot see her unless the war ends before the fall "which seems favorable now." They marched 65 miles in knee deep mud with after 30,000 Confederates in ten days. Some of the men...

GLC03858.02.13

to sister

He remarks that it has been a year and a day since he enlisted and though "there is no more signs of peace now than there was then," he is willing to stay for one more year. He expects that his sister has seen John who is no longer with his regiment...

GLC03858.02.14

to sister

Henry expects that they will stay at Camp Whiteside through the winter. They have not fought since they left Murfreesboro and he does not anticipate fighting soon since they are now in towards the rear of the Union line. He had the Bilious fever...

GLC03858.02.15

to mother

He believes they may move soon and that there will be another fight near Chattanooga as Grant's army is passing by today on its way there. [continued on 19 November] They have been ordered to march back to Stevenson and guard a railroad station...

GLC03858.02.16

to unknown

They are all in good health and "are a happy set of fellows." Fewer troops are required to guard the station now and he thinks their Brigade will set out for Knoxville soon.

GLC03858.02.17

to sister

His regiment fought the Confederates on 25 February, driving them about two miles but then left to return to camp. He confides that "I never enjoyed anything more in my life than shooting at them on this occasion" and reports that "General Johnstons...

GLC03858.02.18

to sister

They have been in camp here since his last and they may remain there a while longer. There are no indications that they will advance to Atlanta in near future. Written at Ambulance Corps Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

GLC03858.02.19

to Sophia Parrott

Henry's "teams were pronounced the best in the Corps by Maj. Gen. Stanley." He commands sixty men of his choice from the regiment. He expects they will stay here for a few months. John was killed and all the men miss him. Henry will bring John's...

GLC03858.02.20