Ekings, Thomas (fl. 1862-1864) to his friend
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06559.022 Author/Creator: Ekings, Thomas (fl. 1862-1864) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 January 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 20.5 x 12.8 cm. Order a Copy
Writes from camp near "White Oak Chapel." Says he is still in his old camp, where the men occupy their time doing drills. States despite Ogden's advice, he cannot help feeling disheartened by the defeat at Fredericksburg, Virginia, for he believes the battle was unnecessary. Notes all of the mistakes that the commanders of the army have made thus far. In particular, he feels that General Ambrose Burnside should never have been given command of the Army of the Potomac. However, Burnside himself cannot be blamed for current problems; instead, those in Washington who gave him the command must bear the blame. Believes the men need a good commander to "accomplish the object for which they took the field." Includes an embossed seal in the upper left hand corner. The Battle of Fredericksburg occurred in December 1862. Letter is mistakenly dated January 1862.
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.
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