Monthly Archives: April 2012

Battle of Stone River

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Museum Staff

Joseph’s letter to Ann on January 25, 1863 is remarkable for what it does not say. He relates the terror of the Battle of Stone River at the end of December. He provides a description of what it was like … Continue reading →

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Joseph to Ann

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Museum Staff

In this first letter, Joseph thanks Ann for writing to him and Harrison. He’s glad to hear she’s in good health. He says his health is not good but improving although he has a back problem that he thinks might … Continue reading →

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Joseph Dewaters letters

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Museum Staff

In addition to Harrison Dewaters’ letters to his sister, Joseph Dewaters wrote nine letters to Ann Dewaters describing his experiences. The letters cover the period from December 3, 1862 until April 1, 1864. Although he is only twelve years older … Continue reading →

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A Son-in-Law’s Response to a Father’s Question

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Museum Staff

One day after writing to Ann DeWaters, Zenas receives a letter from Harrison’s father, Anson DeWaters, expressing concern that he has not heard from Harrison. Anson is Zenas’ father-in-law which meant that he and Harrison were brothers-in-law. Zenas confirms Harrison’s … Continue reading →

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Condolences to a Sister

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Museum Staff

This letter to Ann Dewaters was written by Zenas Rhoades on the same day that his brother Orrin had visited him in the hospital. Zenas tells Ann that Orrin has written to Orville’s father to tell him that Orville had … Continue reading →

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A Friend’s Loss

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Museum Staff

Monday May the 23 1865                                 Washington Mr Anson Dewaters thare was a letter come for tip from you and i noing that tip was ded I took the responcebilety to open it and to let you nowe that he … Continue reading →

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We Regret to Inform You

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Museum Staff

In this last letter to Harrison’s family, both Orrin and Zenas inform his father that they have now received official notice of his death in New Bern, NC on April 30. Orrin describes how the initial wound was relatively minor … Continue reading →

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Writing for Tip

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Museum Staff

Harrison’s sister Ann was probably very troubled that the next letter from her brother was written by a friend of his, Henry E. Trumble, a musician in the 13th Michigan from Portage. Harrison had asked Trumble to write since he … Continue reading →

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Wounded

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Museum Staff

Harrison begins this letter to his mother telling her that he has been wounded, but not to worry. As he has started to do in several recent letters, he refers to himself in the third person by his nickname, Tip. … Continue reading →

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Line of Communications is open again

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Museum Staff

There is something of a light-hearted air to this letter that Harrison wrote in mid-March from Fayetteville, NC. He pokes fun at the Southern dialect (“We-uns”), complains they haven’t received any mail or crackers, and jokes that the rebels “skedaddled” … Continue reading →

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