Fifth Wheel or Godsend? Sergeant George W. Maret, with little else to do on a cold winter’s day in January of 1862, wrote an openly frustrated letter from his regiment’s position near Arlington, Virginia, to his parents in New York. Among other subjects, he vented anger at his (unnamed) regimental chaplain, calling him an “oldContinue reading “The Efficacy of the Civil War Chaplaincy:”
Author Archives: Chaplain Kevin Hostettler
An Interactive Shively Experience
Click Here for a Multi-Media Experience I recently built that will allow you to follow Jacob through the war.
Grand Review and Touring D.C.
Cp of the 89th OVI Near Washington D.C. May 27th, 1865Dear Mary Once more I attempt to drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well and that we are in Cp near Washington at this time. When I wrote to you last we were in Cp in Virginia near Alexandria. SomeContinue reading “Grand Review and Touring D.C.”
Lincoln’s Christmas Present from Sherman – Savanah
Savanah was not just a Christmas Present for Lincoln – it was also a welcome break for the soldiers. Jacob was able to enjoy a stroll around town on Christmas of 1864, and on a few other occasions, playing the part of tourist well. Near Savanah, Ga.Dec 25th, 1864Dear Mary Once more I am permittedContinue reading “Lincoln’s Christmas Present from Sherman – Savanah”
Marching Through Georgia – Jacob’s perspective
Jacob sandwiches his observations on the actions of the Army between botanical notes and a request for stamps. He certainly seems to have lost little sleep on the way Sherman conducted the march in 1864 – but he may have had different thoughts in the 1880s. Among the papers in the collection are a copyContinue reading “Marching Through Georgia – Jacob’s perspective”
A Letter from Chaplain James Sargent to Jacob Shively during the Atlanta Campaign
James Sargent served briefly as the chaplain for the 59th O.V.I. in which his 19 year old son also served (as First Sergeant!). His son died on the second day of the battle of Shiloh and Sargent accompanied his son’s remains home, never returning to the regiment. He apparently served as an itinerant minister, servingContinue reading “A Letter from Chaplain James Sargent to Jacob Shively during the Atlanta Campaign”
Kennesaw Mountain – The death of a friend
“Dear Wife, I am pained to give you and the friends at home the sad news that poor Levi Hennis is killed. He was shot yesterday while on the skirmish line. He was killed about 2 O’clock in the afternoon. A musket ball struck him just below the right corner of his mouth and lodgedContinue reading “Kennesaw Mountain – The death of a friend”
Rocky Face Ridge – One of Jake’s Roughest Days
This letter is heavily damaged, and sections are unreadable, but it contains my favorite vignette of Jacob’s war experience. Years later (1887), he published an account of this event in The Ohio Soldier. I’ll post it sometime in the future. Ringgold, GeorgiaMarch 3d, 1864Dear Wife By the protecting hand of kind Providence, I am againContinue reading “Rocky Face Ridge – One of Jake’s Roughest Days”
Missionary Ridge – The Tide Turns
The Following is published in Patricia Fife Medert’s Dear Companion… Yours untill death, her transcriptions of the 60 or so letters from Jacob that are in the Ross County Historical Society in Chillicothe, Ohio. Her transcriptions include his typical spelling patterns. “Mission Ridge, Chattanooga Tenn.Nov. 30, 1863 Dear Companion and Friends It is my blessedContinue reading “Missionary Ridge – The Tide Turns”
Chickamauga – Jacob’s Regiment is nearly destroyed
Chattanooga, Tenn.Sept the 30th 1863Dear Companion and friends, (Chickamauga) I wrote you a letter a few days since, but I fear you did not get it. And knowing your anxiety to hear from me I embrace this, the first opportunity, to write again. I am safe and well, yet my wound in the cheek whichContinue reading “Chickamauga – Jacob’s Regiment is nearly destroyed”
A Thousand Thunders 