Ekings, Thomas (fl. 1862-1864) to his friend
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06559.021 Author/Creator: Ekings, Thomas (fl. 1862-1864) Place Written: Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 28 December circa 1862 Pagination: 7 p. ; 20.1 x 12.8 cm. Order a Copy
Writes from camp near "White Oak Chapel" that he wishes he had been sent to Philadelphia for the wound he received at Manassas. However, if he had, he would not have been able to fight at the Battles of Crampton Pass and Antietam. Says he has fought in every one of his regiment's engagements and survived. Writes, "It seems wonderfull that I am still in the Land of the living after going through what I have. I have seen instances of New Recruits going into their first fight and manny [sic] of them were killed. Says, "the reverse at Fredericksburgh [sic] was a heavey blow to us. It has had a bad effect on our Army, it has shaken the confidence of both Officers and men in Burnside. And the facts that have come to light of the eneficiancey [sic] of the leading men at Washington has a discouraging effect on our boys. He now believes that "this war is not to save the countrey but to satisfy the ambition of our Generals who are jelous [sic] enough of each other to cut each others throats if by so doing they can gain praise for themselves..." States he feels that General George McClellan is the only man who can lead the army to victory. Describes the Union's defeat at Fredericksburg, Virginia, which has caused many men to lose their enthusiasm. Mentions going to see his relatives in the 132nd Pennsylvania Regiment. His brother has been put in command of the Company of the 23rd. States he is unhappy about this because he lost one brother and does not "wish to lose another." Includes an embossed seal in the upper left hand corner.
Sarah Perot Ogden was a Quaker from Philadelphia who took part in variety of philanthropic works such as assisting the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. She was a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames of America, the Philadelphia Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, and President of the Philadelphia Home for Incurables. Both Ogden and her husband, Edward H. Ogden, were strong supporters of the Union cause. During the Civil War Ogden volunteered in a military hospital where she made daily visits. Her husband served as a Union soldier.
On 15 November 1862 President Abraham Lincoln removed General George McClellan from command and replaced him with General Ambrose E. Burnside. The original plan of Burnside's was to march south (heading towards Richmond, Virginia) while General Robert E. Lee was resting in the Shenandoah Valley. However, after finding his pontoon bridges missing at Fredericksburg, Virginia, Burnside and his troops were unable to cross the Rappahannock River. Choosing to launch frontal assaults on Lee, the Battle of Fredericksburg took place from 11 December to 15 December 1862 with both sides suffering heavy causalities. The battle resulted in a Confederate victory with the Union Army suffering a total of 12,653 causalities while the Confederate Army suffered 5,377 casualties.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.