This letter was written by Enoch Benjamin Darnell (1837-1916) of Fox township, Kendall county, Illinois, who enlisted on 24 May 1861 to serve as a private in Co. E, 13th Illinois Infantry. Enoch’s service record indicates that he stood five and a half feet tall, had red hair and black eyes—a farmer by occupation. Enoch survived the war, mustering out at Springfield on 18 June 1864.
Enoch’s parents were Abraham Darnell (1806-1892) and Susannah Owens (1811-1885). Serving with him in the same company was Enoch’s younger brother, Thomas Darnell (1839-1863) who was killed on 1 July 1863 at Vicksburg.
Enoch wrote the letter to his brother-in-law, Francis (“Frank”) Marion James (1832-1914) who married Enoch’s sister, Elizabeth Darnell (1836-1910) about 1855.
Enoch wrote the letter from Helena, Arkansas, on 3 August 1862, where the regiment had arrived in the last week of July and where drew new uniforms—hats, shoes and socks, pants. In his diary, Wilson E. Chapel of Co. F, 13th Illinois, stated that the regiment “reached the river accompanied by an immense train of negroes—the slaves of rebels—who followed the army loaded with such provisions and property as they could secure, a most ludicrous procession.” The regiment was then paid off on July 31st at Helena. [The Civil War Journals of Wilson E. Chapel, Northern Illinois University]
Transcription
Helena, Arkansas
August 3rd 1862
Dear Brother,
I take my pen this beautiful Sabbath morning to write a few lines letting you know we are still in the land of the living. I am well at this time. I hope these few lines will find you & family the same. I was reading this morning of a heavy hailstorm in Sandwich. I inferred from it that your harvest would be bothersome this summer.
Well Frank, I expect some of our timid folks who seem to be afraid to touch slavery will now begin to grumble like a bear with a sore head after the President’s last proclamation [which calls for] using both real & personal property for the benefit of the army. 1 I am glad of it for my part for this reason—while all of the white inhabitants are off fighting, their negroes can be tending to the crops on the different plantations. Through a part of this state I have seen just as neat corn as anyone need to look at while if you tried to find a white man, a very few of them would be visible. And if I would not like to see some of those big pussy fellows down here who looks like they never did a day’s work in their lives have to go out in the field & earn for themselves & family their daily bread, then it is strange to me. When we was coming through, only a few men could be seen [who were] white. They were out in the woods—or where, it is more than I can say or even care.
Frank, I put up $25 more yesterday for you. I am not sure just when it will leave this place—perhaps e’re long. I have sent it to H. E. Bullock’s. Thomas sent the same as I did. If you find a place to put it out till January 1st (Mine I mean), let it go. Frank, tell me after you get this how much all has cost you. There is a mail in town & I am a going to wait until it is distributed.
Oh yes, Lib, Lieut. Prichard send his best respects to you & husband, Bess’s Father & Mother (he seems just like the same old fellow). Goodbye. Write soon. This from E. B. Darnell
To F. M. James and E. James
Give my love to Father & Mother. Tell them I am well. My ear just now has heard for the first time since we come here. The only honor that can be bestowed on him here & that is three volleys over his grave. Write. Give my love to all o the children.
I am ashamed to send this letter because I very much doubt whether you can read it.
1 The proclamation Enoch refers to was the one issued by the President on 25 July 1862 which was required by an act of Congress passed on 17 July 1862. The act extended the President’s War Powers and stated that “every person who shall be engaged in or be aiding the rebellion, and shall not cease and return to his allegiance within sixty days after proclamation made by the President of the United States, shall forfeit all his property,” &c.
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