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Jones, Alfred (1839-1920) [Collection of Alfred Jones, surgeon in the 17th Tennessee Regiment] Decimalized .001-.130]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03135.13 Author/Creator: Jones, Alfred (1839-1920) Place Written: [various places] Type: Header Record Date: 1823-1938 Pagination: 222 items Order a Copy

Includes postwar papers. Some signatures have been removed. The letters contain battle content for Murfreesboro (3 and 12 January 1863) and Chickamauga (1 October 1863). During the war Jones wooed and married Maxine Harris. The collection reveals less about the war than the trials of two newlyweds. The collection consists of 32 prewar letters (1823-61); 43 wartime letters, the majority of which are written by Jones to his wife (1862-65); and 16 postwar letters. Collection also includes 28 other documents (such as news clippings and receipts), 76 envelopes, and 27 pieces of ephemera (such as cards and postage stamps).

Dr. Jones (1839-1920) served as a Lieutenant in the 3rd Tennessee Regiment, Co. H. He was captured at Fort Donelson, sent to Camp Chase, whence he escaped, and rejoined the army as a surgeon in the 17th Tennessee Regiment. Nothing extant survives about Donelson or his capture.

[#44: 3 January 1863]
We have had a very harde figh. My regiment was cut all to peaces. Many killed Have kept me very [buisy.] This morning I go to the battle field with the expectation of the battle being [renewed].

[#45: 12 January 1868]
[1] We are calculating on going to Shelbyville soon, I learn the Yankees have all left Murfreesboro... [2] Since I got in camp I have had to get up a list of the killed or wounded in my regiment. The number of killed [are 15th] wounded 194...

[#69: 1 October 1863]
...we have had a great battle with the Yankes on Chickamauga Creek Georgia and have whiped them very badly. After two days harde fighting we whiped the enemy, routed them Captured about 9 thousand prisoners and they then retreated to Chattanooga where they are strongly fortified. We have [struck: been] environed this place very closely for the last week. I think we will not attack Chattanooga, but will pass it by and go to the bright hills of Tennessee and Kentucky. We have the Army that will teach Gen Bragg the same lesson that he learned at Chickamauga Creek. I will say nothing about our numbers but we have enough to make Bragg Corporal. The Third Tenne was in the fight suffered very heavily... The 17th suffered very much in wounded [4] and captured... The Yankee killed was about two to our one. The battle field is so offensive one can scarcily pass over the field of strife and carnage...

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