Magie, James K. to Mary Magie
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05241.09 Author/Creator: Magie, James K. Place Written: Ohio River Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 February 1863 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
Written on board the steamer J. H. Groesbeck. Notes the regiment is bound for Fort Donelson. Says he has comfortable quarters in a cabin with some other officers but the enlisted men are very crowded. Mentions that his colonel is under arrest for refusing to search the boat for escaped slaves. Notes he was put in charge of the contraband cook, who now wishes to go home with "Massa Magie."
James Magie to Mary Magie
On board Steamer, Ohio River, 2 February 1863
Letter signed, 4 pages
On board steamer John Groesbeck On board Steamer, Ohio River, 2 February 1863
Letter signed, 4 pages
On board steamer John Gruested
Ohio River, Feb. 2, 1863
Dearest May- We started yesterday (Sunday morning) at 7 o'clock, from Louisville. As near as I can estimate our fleet consists of about 20 boats and from 15,000 to 20,000 troops. There are with us four boats. We all rendezvous at Fort Donaldson, and go up the Cumberland river in company several gunboats will escort us up the river to Nashville. We got notice about 10 o'clock Saturday night that we would leave next morning at day light. There were several left be hind- Frank Lane and Wilson McCoudlers of Col, Lieut McCauntlers of Col is home without leave, and it is though he will be dismissed without pay. I have the high privilege of decapying the cabin with the officers, and good accomindations for sleeping, but the men are miserably crowded, and no doubt wish for land again. I expressed on Saturday over 400 dollars to the care of Alex Blackburn. I sent you $40. I know you will make a judicious use of the money sent you I had a head ache yesterday, and laid abed nearly the whole day. I had a late copy of the N.Y. Weekly Tribune and some other papers, and had some good reading. I shall be further removed from late papers after this. I hope you will send me same The Chicago Tribune we are well supplied with. Your any send me a Plaindealer, Jerseyman, or N.Y. Tribune send via Louisville.
We passed this morning about daylight Shawneetown, Illinois. The Ohio river is very high just now. Shawneetown has only about 3 feet out of water. We expect to reach the mouth of Cumberland river about noon. We shall probably stop a little while at Smith land where I will try and get this letter mailed. It is possible that we may be attacked on our way up the river. If so we shall make a good fight. I hope we may soon [illegible] this contest that we may get home again. Nichols has about run the Journal into the ground. Van Nleck told me the Republicans are jkjkjk disgusted with him. If you see Ed Miller tell him to hand you the Address I sent him and I will publish it if I ever get house again, It seems to be a prevailing opinion that the man will soon end. I really hope so. If it continues throughout summer I think of sending for Chales Horton I can get him a place in the regiment at $10 a month. What do you think of it? I want him to school steady thing winter. Let me whisper you something. Our Colonel is under arrest for refusing to search the boat for runaway niggers. The contraband was put in my charge and I have got him yet. The nigger thinks there is nobody like Mussa Magie The Colonel says he means to take him home with him after the war is over, but the nigger says he will go with me. The Louisville nigger catchers would have got him if I hadn't secreted him.
Today is very pleasent- the sun shines out beautifully. I will soon finish my letter and go out on the hurricane deck and take another look at the Illinois soil. I am seeing something of the world, all of which I shall not regret if I live to get home. If we go into battle I shall not get the coward, but I will nor recklessly expose my self. I saw Col. Waters in Louisville I should not wonder if we got in company with what remains of the 89th, and also the 16th. Goodbye Write Often Give me an account of each days work.
Your own dear husband
James
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