These letters were written by John Edward (“Eddie”) Stewart (1834-1927) to his younger sister, Margaret (“Maggie”) Jane Stewart (1844-1928). They were two of at least ten children born to John Stewart (1806-1892) and Anne Bell Patton (1813-1892) of St. Clairsville, Belmont county, Ohio. Maggie later married, in December 1867, to David Robinson Johnston (1842-1897) who had served in Co. K, 17th OVI during the Civil War.
John enlisted as a corporal on 2 May 1864 in Co. E, 170th Ohio National Guard—a 100 days regiment. He mustered out on 10 September 1864. According to Belmont County records, John was married to Mary Jane Hinkle (1836-1912) on 24 September 1860.
[Note: These letters are from the personal collection of Mike Huston and are published by express consent.]
Letter 1
Addressed to Maggie J. Stewart, St. Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio
Fort Simmons, Maryland
May 24, 1864
Sister Maggie,
I received your letter on Tuesday mornin just before we started. Since that I have not had time to answer. I have some leisure today. As last we have arrived at our designated place. We were nearly one week in the cars. We had a pleasant but tiresome trip. Part of the road we came over in the night. The mountains I did not see as we crossed them in the night [but] I saw mountains enough to satisfy me. We crossed Harper’s Ferry in the night. It was moonlight & we got a partial view of the place. The bridge is a grand affair. Part of it was destroyed by the Rebs. There is some grand country between the Ferry and Washington.
We arrived in Washington Sabbath evening about 5 o’clock [and] was marched to our quarters which were in a large building. We had to lay on the floor. Supper was prepared for us & a great meal it was, consisting of bread, meat and coffee. The bread was good. The meat should have been good had it been coked but it was raw—fit only for dogs. The coffee would have made good slop for hogs. I tasted it but could not go it. Breakfast was the same. I did not eat any. What I had eaten made me sick. I was quite unwell all forenoon.
At 7 o’clock we got passes to go through the town—I should have said City. It got a small glance of the place. The Capitol is a nice place—grand beyond description. I was through a part of it. It would take some time to look all over it. I visited the President’s Mansion which is a grand place. I was in the Reception Room [but] did not get to see Old Abe. There are many places I would like to visit if I had time. There are some nice parks about the city. The town itself is not much; covers a great deal of ground. I got a pie before going to my quarters which done me some good. After going to quarters I lay down [and] on getting up, I felt better. Dinner came round. I found they had the same as for supper so I did not go in. Sam Thomson and myself broke for town to get some crackers. We got a few which was all we had to eat.
After dinner we had orders to march. We strapped on our armor which was quite heavy. We got started about three to [but] we did not know where. We marched for 4 hours & landed at this place which is about 8 miles from the City. The day was very hot & we were marched as soldiers are generally—marched very fast part of the time. Some of the boys lagged a little [but] I stood it very was. Was not much tired. After stopping, we had nothing to eat so I looked round for some supper. I found a house where the family were eating. They asked me to eat and I pitched in. I went back in the morning to get my breakfast which I got and paid a quarter for it. I like hard tack very well when we have it.
We have a nice place on a high piece of ground. The country around is well fortified. In our fort there are 10 or 12 guns. We will soon have to go to work and practice artillery shooting. We have barracks to sleep in & straw to sleep on. We have just finished cleaning up ands anyone that cannot live here ought not live at all. I hope we may get to stay here our time out. We have a cook house separate from our quarters.
Most all of the boys are writing letters today. We have no duty to perform today. Jim was on guard last night, is now in bed. One or two of our boys are on the sick list. I am quite well. Had a bad cold but was always able for duty. It is now near dinner time. I must close up. I have not time to write anymore as these letters must go to the office soon. I wrote one home today. You must write again. Give my love to all. Hoping to see you again, your brother, — J. E. Stewart
Address Jno. E. Stewart, Company E, 170 Regt. O. N. G., Fort Simmons via Washington D. C., Care of Capt. Lee
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Letter 2
Envelope to Letter Two
Headquarters Ft. Sumner
June 20, 1864
Sister Maggie,
I received your letter a few days ago. I have not answered before this not because I had not time but just because I did not do it so have plenty time to write, but it does not all come together. We have the most time from 10 P. M. till bed & during that part of the day. The weather is so hot & there being no shade about here, we do not feel much like writing.
This is Monday morning. I am on guard. I am sitting in the guard house on a stool writing on a bench. The guard house is a place under ground. On the one side it is made of large logs put on their ends covered with logs and earth to the depth of about 6 feet. The place is very strong—not any chance for one to get out—only at the door. There is a guard placed [here] and there is hardly a day passes without someone getting a berth for a short time. Various are the offenses committed for which the boys are arrested. Most are just in for sleeping on post. On the morning of the 18th, 2 were put in for sleeping. Their punishment was not severe. Were only put to hard labor on the fort. One Sunday one was put in for milking cows. That game had been going on very extensively. Some of the boys went out a few mornings ago and brought in a bucketful from their canteens & some their time week for an order was issued against it.
This morning 2 more from the picket post was brought in. Were caught asleep. They are now in the guard house awaiting sentence. According to the order, they will pass through a regular court martial. The sentence of some that have been here before was very severe; was kept in prison two months and compelled to wear a ball fastened to his ankle weighing 25 lbs., & forfeit their pay for two months.
By the heading of this you will see that we are at [Fort] Sumner. I do not know whether we were here when I last wrote or not. This is the third place we have been at. We have been here nearly two weeks. Cannot tell how long we may remain here. This is a very strong place. Commands a great section of country. Some very large guns here—two 100-lbs., some of them I can put my head in. Tried it on Saturday.
I have just come in from putting on my relief. I will now be on duty two hours. Will get off at 12 M. We corporals before coming out were made from [ ] by the privates said they would attend a privates in time. Their time is now turned the other way. They find out the non-commissioned officers have the advantage over privates. Every day we detail 12 more—one corporal & a sergeant for guard duty. If privates come about every third day, the non-commissioned officers about once a week. Other duties are about the same.
The weather here is very hot in day times & cold at night. The forepart of last week the nights were so cold alright, we had to have a fire in our stoves. The days have been getting hotter everyday. We have not had a rain for some time. Everything is getting very dry. We have plenty of water to drink. From the appearance, I think it will hold out if the weather is dry. Today looks come little like rain. I hope it will rai and lay the dust which is getting very deep.
On last Thursday, we had general inspection of arms and knapsacks. The men that do the inspecting think they are some on a splinter. I will tell you what I think of such men when I get home. Every Sabbath we have company inspection. Sometimes we have preaching on Tuesday evening. We are called out & formed into a line so that Sec. Chase might get a view of us. We stayed and waited patiently till nearly dark, being out nearly 2 hours, but Chase did not make his appearance. We are looking for him this evening. Maybe he may come.
I was sorry to heat that Mam & Craig were sick. The disease they had is a terrific one. I know some little about it. I hope they are well by this time. They will have to take good care of themselves for some time to come as the days of it remain in the system a long time.
And Pap has made a change of hands again? Why did Joe leave? I do not think it would take much of a hand to be better than he.
I have not had any letters from the boys yet. I wrote each of them—one a few days ago. I see by the Chronicle that cousin Joe is wounded again slightly. I hope to hear from them soon.
You may send me Bob’s photograph & anything that you wish. I wish you could so arrange it among that Mollie could get down to Wheeling sometime before long to get her photographs taken & Rosa’s too. I would like to have each of them. I will write to Mollie today and tell her about it and if it can be done conveniently, I would like it.
You ask if I hear any singing. Sometimes in the evening some of the boys do some singing . Not much. We hear lots of music of one kind or another. We have a fiddle in our company & some of the boys take a dance almost every night. The boys all seem to enjoy themselves very well. Most of them are fit for duty—only one of us have been in the hospital and he is now well. Some of the company have the measles & mumps in them. I am not afraid of either. I have been as healthy as ever I was except a cold and I am over that. I have got used to sleeping on the soft side of a pine board. Can do some tall sleeping/
I am going to get a pass to the city one of these days. I have applied for one. I want to get some photographs taken while there if I can. After going down there & back, I may have more to write about than at present. Uncle Dan was down on one day last week. He and Sam Thompson went together. But two can get a pass at a time. It is now about time I must close up for this time.
Well, I have had my dinner. Didn’t eat until all the others had eat. And what do you suppose I had for dinner? In the first place I had coffee, fresh beef, beans, potatoes &c. With that I was not satisfied [so] I went to the kitchen and got a piece of bread, toasted it [and] had some milk. Got some sugar and made me some dip. I tell you I had some of a dinner. Some of the boys go out and get cherries, come in & stew them in regular style.
My oh my but it is hot just now. One cannot get to a cool place and I suppose that two could not do any better. The boys not on duty are laying round lazy as they can be. If you have no flies in Ohio, just send us a box and we will try to hive up some and send them to you. I think we can spare some. Rats are very plenty around here. If a person goes out after night, they can see a regiment of them in dress parade. The last night I was on guard, I saw a number of them maneuvering around, having a cat for a Colonel. I suppose she got it. Tell Mam and Craig to write me a letter. You can all write me a letter apiece & I will write a letter to one answering all of them. This letter will apply to all of you. Tell Pop to make arrangements when it suits him to make that trip to Wheeling.
You must not delay writing. Give me all the news. I will have to have some postage stamps before long. If you can send them, I will be much obliged. I can get them here but do not like to lay out anymore money than I can help for things I can get from home. No more at present. Give my love to all enquiring friends. I ever remain your soldier brother, — J. E. Stewart
to sister M. J. Stewart
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