Brunt, William (fl. 1863-1865) to Martha Weir
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07006.05 Author/Creator: Brunt, William (fl. 1863-1865) Place Written: Clarkesville, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 December 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 25 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Writes that his wife, Olive, has gone to Fort Donelson with two of his children. Has been appointed Captain of Company Division 16th Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry. Expresses his satisfaction at fighting alongside former slaves -- "iff it is glorious to enlist the oppressed it is certainly doubly so to be privelidged to lead them against their oppressors." Describes a school system he has instituted to give the black soldiers literacy skills so "they will be well prepared to appreciate the sweet boon of freedom" after the war. Plans to bring his wife to live with him in winter quarters.
William Brunt was, at the start of the correspondence, a soldier in the 83rd Regiment, Ft. Donelson, Tennessee. He was later made Captain of Company Division 16th Colored Infantry. Brunt's wife, Olive, and his two children virtually accompanied him to war, living in the nearby camps while Brunt was on the battlefield. William and Olive had lived in Kentucky prior to the war, but were disliked for their strong support of Union politics. By 1864, Olive was helping to run a contraband camp with Brunt, but by 1865 the two had divorced after Olive was unfaithful to William. Brunt retained custody of their two children and, despite the emotional strain which came from marriage of one and the death of the other, remained devoted as a soldier and anti-slavery advocate.
[excerpt]
Clarksville Tenn
Dec. 2d 1863
Dear Friend Martha …I am stationed there at preasent Recruiting a Company for my self I got the, appointement as Captain of Company D. 16th M.S. Colored Infantry. last week My Glory has been increased untill I fear I shall Collapse But I will try to bear it as becomes a man Iff it is glorious to Enlist the oppressed It is ceartainly doubly so to to be privelidged to lead them against their oppressors Oh how sweet the privelige is to me of leading these noble patriots to liberty & inteligense yes I say inteligence for we adopt a system of school teachings Intending to devote a portion of Everyday [2] when other duties will admitt of it to the Cultivation of their intelect & I think by the time (those that survive their term of three years) are discharged they will be well prepared to appreciati[struck: on] the sweet boon of freedom… I Entered this good old Regiment all most an Entire stranger to all in it. an humble private I was the first one selected to a possition & the only one as yet to a Captiancy from it I mention this to let you see that my labor has been appreciated & I feel that in that I am amply rewarded for trying to do my duty to our glorious Country I took hold in the hour of her sorest need & now my reward Cometh in a shape that is…
[3] I have the privelige of recruiting my own Company & shall be careful to select good men I got two warm hearted patriots (whose souls vie with my own in this good work) appointed as Lieutenants with me thus you see all is bright before me Our [Regimental] or field Officers are noble minded men & I think Every one of them has his whole soul in the Cause The line Officers so far are good men & I feel confident that iff an opportunity is given us we shall make our mark as a Regiment…
[4] …In the cause of freedom from Chaines of servitude & the bonds of ignorance for all the Oppressed
Capt Wm Brunt
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