The following two letters were exchanged between Jason Clark and his cousin, Fanny, J. M. Johnson, in the winter of 1863-64. Jason initially enlisted as a band member in the 11th Michigan Infantry. A history of the 11th Michigan informs us that the regiment had an excellent brass band that were uniformed in blue broad cloth frock coats and blue caps in the same style as the fatigue caps. The band remained with the regiment until the fall of 1862 when the War Department limited the number to one per brigade, rather than one per regiment. It was apparently at or about this time that Jason transferred into the band of the 16th U. S. Regulars.
When Jason wrote the letter to his cousin Fanny in late April 1864, The regiment was located at Greysville, Georgia, and within a week of starting with Sherman’s army on the Atlanta Campaign.
Fanny J. M Johnson (1843-1920) was 21 years old when she wrote the letter to her cousin on 25 December 1863. She married Andrew Wiltse Moon (1836-1907) in March 1865, after he returned from serving in the 3rd Michigan (2nd Organization). Fanny’s letter rambles on considerably and I have only transcribed the first couple pages that include her description of Christmas Day activities and anger and tears she experienced upon reading in the newspapers of the manner in which Union prisoners were being treated in Southern prisons. “If I only were a man, I’d go,” she wrote her cousin, “and if something is not done toward killing Old Jeff before spring, I’ll go to war, I will!! I’ll enlist. I’ll go as a man, say what you are a mind to.”
Letter 1
Christmas night
Stockbridge [Ingham county, Michigan] No. 39
Christmas night, 1863
My own dear cousin Jason,
Although I went to bed last night feeling oh! so sad because I must be separated from all who love me and receive a good share of the same in return, when I thought how many would be so glad to seem who would, if permitted, press me warmly to their bosoms, as these thoughts came to my mind, it was with difficulty I refrained from weeping. This morning the clouds were still lurking around the horizon of my mind’s sky. Notwithstanding all this, it has turned out to be somewhat merry Christmas with me. I am going to give you as nearly as I can the proceedings of today.
This morning I helped do up the work, then I finished a watch cord for A[ndrew]; Also made him a hair-ring which I mailed in a letter to him today; burnt two holes in my apron. Party made me something to wear round my neck for a collar, mixed the bread, wrote some, took a short ride with one of my schoolgirls. Mr. C., the Director, & his wife went to D___ this p.m. When they come back, Mrs. C gave me a letter, bearing Adda’s writing upon the outside and postmarked Ypsi. Then I am sure I was in a quandary. I opened it and the first thing I took out was a little slip of paper bearing “April fool”—the writing I knew to be your Ma’s. When I read it, I found it was one that Adda had directed when she was at your home—wasn’t I fooled nicely! Well, I had not finished reading it before Mr. C. came in and said if he had plagued me long enough, he would give me another. He handed me one from George. I was glad I tell you for I had not had one from him since the 12th of November and I had just been crying because I did not get any news from “Dixie.” It is four weeks tomorrow since I have had a letter from Henry.
Well I had had no letter from Adda yet this was something that has not failed to come as soon as the 25th at the longest. I just finished my supper when he handed me a letter from Adda. I read it with a relish too, you may be assured. Then they read aloud from a new paper how our prisoners were served at Richmond. The rebs—no, Devils! are starving our poor soldiers at an average of 50 per day. I tell you, my own dear cousin, that was a little too much for the Col. to hear. I cried and who could blame me! Oh! oh!! oh!!! Jate, if I only were a man, I’d go, and if something is not done toward killing Old Jeff before spring, I’ll go to war, I will!! I’ll enlist. I’ll go as a man, say what you are a mind to. This is my conclusion; I ended my resolve with singing, Hang Jeff Davis on some high trees. Hand Jeff Davis on some high trees, or put him on a stretcher and put him where he’ll freeze with his head hanging down. You’ll see “I’m a poet but folks don’t know it.”But I’ll do something if I am not of much account. ….
[Letter rambles on for three more pages.]
Your patriotic cousin, — Fan
Letter 2
Greysville, Georgia
Tuesday morning, April 12th 1864
Dearest “Coz,”
Well, here I am, this warm rainy morning, seated to answer your kind letter No. 46. I really don’t know what to say, or which to say first. I am afraid I shall not be able to fill this sheet else I tell how mean I am; or how like a sheep-dog regular service makes honest men feel, after they have been in it as long as I have, but I don’t hardly like to talk about such things because the old saying is, “the truth always cuts closest.” I find I am becoming indifferent in spite of myself as to where I am or what I do for a living, only so I get it honestly. Then sometimes I feel a strife for the latter. I hope I am not causing you any bad feelings, but nature will cut sometime. Some how or another, I don’t care every thing about going home—only so I get letters from there telling that all are well. If I had a furlough offered me now, I think I should debate whether to take it or no, being my time is so near half out. I would come, though, if could have another as good a visit as we had before.
Your letter found me enjoying good health and spirits as usual. I was very sorry to hear you were unwell and had to give up going to school. I am afraid you were unwell and had to give up going to school. I am a little afraid you are a little affected with the heart disease too.
Oh, you need not have been afraid of answering my question directly in regard to my reenlisting for I have not said I was a going to enlist or could if I wanted to. I guess in your trying to be so strictly patriotic and neutral on the subject, you have not said what you would have under other circumstances—-hey! pardon my seeming distrust of your honesty. Patriotism plays out once in awhile with the soldiers here, when they look around then and see how their rights are trampled upon. This Sanitary Commission is a good thing but I think those who are employed in its service here and their friends, have the best of it. You see I am a little disposed to go against everything today. It’s one of my fits, so you won’t blame me and my better nature. You know if folks did not disagree there would be no chance for an argument would there?
Well it’s after dinner. I ate a pint and a half of beans which has tended greatly to subdue my ill nature. I don’t know but what I shall be able to make out quite a letter after all. Last night I sat up until after twelve o’clock out by the cook fire humoring my ill nature and keeping such a racket that no one could sleep hardly. I believe if I were to write what passed my thoughts last night, you would disown me as your cousin. Mum! (Why I am as mum as a ____ struck with a club. Of course I know what you mean, but I am inclined to think you will make a visit to the moon long before my time is out. By the way, I am in hopes it always will continue to be an agreeable and pleasant climate (leaving off he cli). Don’t you think it really aggravating now? Just only think of it—Griffin Lewis received a letter last evening from his brother younger than himself, and his newly made sister by marriage, and Griffin is a month my junior. Please do not infer from what I have been saying that I am insane on the matrimonial question which I hain’t. I have heard Hon. George Blair speak. He made the Michigan 11th a short speech at White Pigeon and there were not many dry eyes after he had got done speaking.
Whew! how like heaven artillery those large cannons of Chattanooga sound. They are firing them now from some cause. The air so clear that they sound as though they were not a mile off. You ask if we had a good time the first. Well we had a good time as usual, but had no fooling going on because we thought we were big fools enough without making an extra effort.
I expected a line from George by this time for I sent him one yesterday by John Ludwig’s brother. He is a new recruit just come to the 11th and has a pass to go and see John.
There is a darky company here recruiting. I am afraid they will coax off our cook and he is no more fit for a soldier than anything in the world. I have not heard from home since the twenty-seventh. I got a letter from our dearly loved “coz” Addie the third. Oh, say I have sent for a soldier’s photo album. I got one holding sixteen pictures for seventy-five cents and postage paid. Is that not cheap enough? The regiment went out to Parker’s Gap Sunday to guard. They will be gone five days so we are having it easy but it is most unmercifully lonesome. Say Fan, how do you think it would improve my looks to smoke cigars and what would you tell anyone if they should say I did? Well I am a half a mind to tear up this miserable letter. Please accept it from your cousin, — Jason Clark
Spared & Shared 22 