Letters Written During the Civil War (1860-1865)
Letter 1:
This letter was written by Samuel D. Lougheed for his wife Jane Lougheed on April 20, 1862. Samuel begins his writings in a light tone describing his new position as Regional P.M. and how he delivers the mail to the government boats and takes back any resources to the regiment, he likes this job. But throughout his entire four page letter, Samuel complains about the constant torrential rains that make travel and keeping his tent dry difficult, but on the other hand he mentions God here and there showing his religious beliefs and the belief God with keep him safe. Nearing the end of Samuel's letters he describes in a vague fashion the reality of the Civil War to his wife going even so far to say he won't give all the details in protect her.
Letter 2:
This letter is written by Samuel D. Sougheed for his wife Jane Sougheed on December 21, 1862. Samuel starts by saying he and others are not feeling as well as they want physically and also Samuel is sick emotionally, saying he is ashamed of the other members of his regiment. They spew profanity while they drink alcohol and gamble and objectify women, Samuel takes offence to this and most likely because of his religious standards and beliefs. Suddenly, he is overcome with a worry that he could die and his soul be lost and he tells his wife this. At the time of writing this letter it was Sunday and Samuel would like a table to preform his services but the majority of members of each regiment were drunken and would not allow him to have his table. This entire letter is in a negative tone, but he ends addressing his wife asking her to pray for him and to kiss the family for him.
Letter 3:
This letter is written by Samuel D. Lougheed for his wife Jane Lougheed on December 22, 1862. The morning of him writing this letter is actually a sunny and clear morning, but with a look of a storm coming and a constant ashamed feeling from Samuel. An ashamed feeling because Samuel is a religious man and his regiment is becoming increasingly wicked and he is afraid this will lead them to destruction, but he asks God for mercy. Samuel says the only sober men left in the regiment have resigned because they feel the drunks are a disgrace and Samuel plans to resign also, unless the regiment turns themselves around. Later he says the regiments seized a young lady and did horrible things to her. In ending his letters, Samuel includes much religious imagery and talks about his family to his wife.
Letter 4:
This letter is written by Samuel D. Sougheed for his Mother on April 6, 1863. Samuel addresses this letter to Ma, assuming he is writing to his mother. He received a letter from his mother on March 27th which mean she would have sent the letter on the 7th of March. Samuel is furious at her this because she has lacked in writing him and he goes so far to call her "cruel and wicked". He states it keeps him up at night with grief that his own mother with not write him and he says she is forgetful and neglectful. But, Samuel calms down saying he got something for his mother and got carried away earlier because he is cold, tired, worn out, and sleepy.
Letter 5:
This letter is written by Samuel D. Sougheed for his wife Jane Sougheed on April 30 - May 1, 1863. Samuel states that only the sick and the convalescent are what's left of the two armies and the are rebels are crossing the river ready to attack their camp. Samuel's regiment had orders to leave. Jane receives notice that they are all alive and ready to move wherever they need because the rebels mean to fight. Samuel waits for the day to be with his family again. He describes that now in the spring time is beautiful with the green luscious grass and trees and the birds singing. Family is extremely important to Samuel and he constantly is mentioning them and tell plans to him wife of when he returns. Samuel seems to end and a positive and happy mood saying the morning in lovely and that the troops were successful, he says goodbye passionately to Jane and even leaves roses pedals for Josie and Bessie.
Summary:
Samuel D. Sougheed of the Union recounts his experiences in his regiment of the Civil War with several letters to his wife and family. Religion and morals plays an extremely important rule in Samuel's character and leads him to questions the actions of those around him. The majority of other men in his regiment were constant drunk and gambled and took advantage of women. The actions of Samuel's peers greatly worried him and caused him to pray constantly for mercy from God because of the wickedness of the regiment and the fact Samuel thought they would lead themselves to destruction. Samuel was a simple and religious man and it didn't take much to please him, a simple job hauling mail and the nature around him which he found beautiful was all it took. Surrounded by wickedness and negative influences, Samuel always followed his morals of being a good man and fought for what he thought was right while always having his family, who he loved so dearly, on his mind.
Sources
I used this source to find all five of my letters with specific detail, the dates and names and locations were all given. (Samuel D. Sougheed is found at the bottom of the page)
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