Camp Brownlow, Piketon, Kentucky 1862
The JSR Letters are from the collection of Josh Branham and transcribed by Josh Branham
Letter 1
Camp Brownlow, Ketucky
Sunday afternoon, February 9th [1862]
Brother Enoch,
Although I have not received any answer to my last letter, yet I attribute it to irregularity of the mail; as I presume there are several letters lying at Camp Buell now from [home].
As I told Pap in my hurried letter, we left Camp Buell on last Sunday night about 7.30 o’clock. We came to this place (Piketon) which you will see on the map I sent you. On the next day after we started about noon. Our camp is called Brownlow in honor of Parson Brownlow who so fearlessly continued to edit his Union sheet, The Knoxville Whig, while his enemies threatened the demotion of his press and the destruction of his life.
But now, Enoch, there just stopped in our tent a bright little boy who said his mother wanted me to come and take supper with her. And as he came all the way from the village out to camp to invite me, I guess I must go. There is a Commissary Sergeant boarding there who I presume (as he is quite a strong friend of mine) requested her to send for me. I will tell you more about it when I come back.
I went along with the boy and found it to be the home of the County Clerk. He himself was there and I was cordially received by them both, upon being introduced by the Sergeant of whom I before spoke. They had a happy little family of four bright little girls and the boy of whom I spoke. It was as I presumed, with regard to the invitation. The Sergeant had her to send for me. We had a very fine supper—canned peaches, canned peach pie, honey, milk, coffee, &c. which things are not often to be had by a soldier. I had an invitation to call again.
But I return to the old subject. Our camp is some forty miles farther up the river than Camp Buell. The country is much pleasanter here than down by Paintville.
This morning there was about two and a half inches of snow on the ground which made it look altogether like some of Ohio’s winter mornings. The country is very hilly. I went upon the top of a high hill the other day on the other side of the river. Pretty near the top there runs out a very large rock. This rock is about 300 feet above the river. I walked out and looked down and around the country. I never thought that I had the steadiness of nerve to look down from such a height yet I did it and found it a pleasant sight. While out there I plucked some leaves from some Laurel which had taken root and grown on the edge of the rock. I enclose a leaf for Mary Ellen.
As to which way we will move from here, I cannot say. There is a hint that we are to go to Bowling Green. I mentioned in my last letter something concerning the resignation of one of our Lieutenants. The circumstances are these which I had not time to write to Pap. He will see them here. Our First Lieutenant for some reason or other tendered his resignation, which Col. Garfield willingly recommended Gen. Buell to receive. This resignation will take effect on the 15th of this month. I have no doubt at all that the resignation is received. So in the resignation, our Second Lieutenant… [rest of letter missing]
Letter 2
Camp Brownlow near Piketon [Kentucky]
Thursday, February 20th 1862
Dear Parents,
As I, thus far, have found no opportunity of sending the letter I write to [brother] Enoch, I have concluded to write you a few lines and enclose in the same envelope.
The weather is quite wet here now, rain having fallen for the last few days almost uninterruptedly. The ground here is not quite so bad for mud as that around Paintville (Camp Buell), yet tis quite disagreeable moving around here now. The river has been so low that boats could not come up to the point so that none of the 42nd but companies A & F and a small detachment from several other companies have gotten up the river yet. The 40th Ohio and 22nd Kentucky are here though so that we are quite a little army.
As to what our future duties will be, I am unable to say. Humphrey Marshal is reported to be about four miles beyond Pound Gap (in the Cumberland Mountains), making the distance about forty miles from here. We can take provisions no farther by steam so that we will be obliged to haul our provisions by wagon, which is a very difficult work. But we may be called to Bowling Green and thus leave this valley altogether; and we may be ordered to stay here, neither advancing nor going back. Of the three, I think it most likely we will go to Bowling Green although I have no particular reason for saying so.
We expect without doubt that there will be a boat up here today. Then I expect—as most of us do—to receive several letters, and shall feel like charging you folks at home with slackness in writing if I do not receive two or three right from home. But I guess I must close as I wrote about all of interest. Write me as soon as convenient. I will send this first opportunity.
I remain as ever, your son, — J. S. Ross
Letter 3
Camp Brownlow [near Piketon, Kentucky]
Tuesday, February 25, 1862
Dear Parents,
I received your letter of the 6th this afternoon. The announcement of the death of our dear brother John was preceded a few days by a letter from Waynesburg from Aunt Elizabeth. It is as you remark, an additional warning to us that all must die. Indeed, I have wondered if it were not as rich a golden blessing to some of us, to hear that he was no more, was among the least of my expectations; and when the tidings came, I thought, “Is this the last an exemplary Christian, but a zealous worker in the cause of Christ and a true laborer in his vineyard. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.” It is a truly sad and unpleasant thought to think, as I must, that our evening talks, our Sabath walks, and our everyday familiar and pleasant associations are now gone by—at least in the sojourn of the mortal. But if ’tis ever my joyous lot to reach that happy home—that home in Heaven for which I sigh—I shall surely see in the mansions of the free and blessed, our brother John.
I have been well since I last wrote. I hope you have the same source of pleasure and cause of gratitude. The mail today brought me besides your letter, a letter from Louisa and one from Jno. Graham. Also two Carroll County Unions and a Herald or Dealer. The Dealer and one of the Union‘s was sent by John Graham. The other Union by the editors, I believe.
I presume as you say nothing about it, that Flora has recovered her usual health, also Spencer. I hear nothing in any way whatever from Mollie but tell her I do not wish to unless she can write with pleasure.
I received a letter from John Margins a few days ago. He tells me Amos had been sick some, but was getting well. Tell his folks he was well. I will close requesting you to write as soon as convenient. I sent you and [brother] Enoch a letter a few days ago.
I remain as ever, your loving son, — J. S. Ross
The above image in category header is a map illustrating Chickasaw Bluff
