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On a recent trip to the Wisconsin Historical Society, I came across the letters of David Coon, 36th Wisconsin. Here is one of his letters I transcribed. Enjoy.
"James River 10 miles from Richmond Aug 15th 1864 (second battle of deep bottom)
We went aboard a boat in the afternoon of Saturday and Sunday morning was … where, we marched … we had been before and went through the same field where we was at the time I kee that dreaming of .. a from you that I wrote you about. The day was very hot we was marched out through the woods 2 or 3 miles from where we landed on the way I lightened my load by throwing away a big piece of woolen blanket and two shirts
We was put into another charge which as usual amounted to get a lot of men wounded among whom was our acting Col. He who was captain warren a very first rate Christian man our squad from our neighborhood came near inlisting in his company his left arm was shattered. I helped him off from the field May of Hamilton was also wounded in the face he was our captain ta first and a good officer, our present captain name is Griffin and I cant say anything favorable for him. Say nothing.
A few words bout the part I took in the charge when the line halted and fell back and some took shelter hind some old buildings I found a good position behind a hog pen where I could load and fire between the boards of the pen. The heads of the Rebs being in plain sight behind the works I would load and fire talking good aim until I had fired about 6 or 8 times in that way when an officer who was behind me with a lot of men laying low sent and ordered me to stop as he said there was danger of my shooting our own men. Last I know there was no danger no danger of that but I guess he was afraid that I would draw the Reb fire on them I then fell back and came across the Col. In time to help him off as he was very faint.
We are now laying in the woods not knowing how soon or what the next order will be. I must therefore close so as to be ready for it whatever it may be I send Peck and Thomas letter and want you to present it
Yours with affection and great haste
David Coon"
A unique letter from Mr. Coon, he wrote his wife on a Bordans condensed milk wrapper. Mr. Coon died during the Petersburg campaign.
Steve Acker
A student of history
"James River 10 miles from Richmond Aug 15th 1864 (second battle of deep bottom)
We went aboard a boat in the afternoon of Saturday and Sunday morning was … where, we marched … we had been before and went through the same field where we was at the time I kee that dreaming of .. a from you that I wrote you about. The day was very hot we was marched out through the woods 2 or 3 miles from where we landed on the way I lightened my load by throwing away a big piece of woolen blanket and two shirts
We was put into another charge which as usual amounted to get a lot of men wounded among whom was our acting Col. He who was captain warren a very first rate Christian man our squad from our neighborhood came near inlisting in his company his left arm was shattered. I helped him off from the field May of Hamilton was also wounded in the face he was our captain ta first and a good officer, our present captain name is Griffin and I cant say anything favorable for him. Say nothing.
A few words bout the part I took in the charge when the line halted and fell back and some took shelter hind some old buildings I found a good position behind a hog pen where I could load and fire between the boards of the pen. The heads of the Rebs being in plain sight behind the works I would load and fire talking good aim until I had fired about 6 or 8 times in that way when an officer who was behind me with a lot of men laying low sent and ordered me to stop as he said there was danger of my shooting our own men. Last I know there was no danger no danger of that but I guess he was afraid that I would draw the Reb fire on them I then fell back and came across the Col. In time to help him off as he was very faint.
We are now laying in the woods not knowing how soon or what the next order will be. I must therefore close so as to be ready for it whatever it may be I send Peck and Thomas letter and want you to present it
Yours with affection and great haste
David Coon"
A unique letter from Mr. Coon, he wrote his wife on a Bordans condensed milk wrapper. Mr. Coon died during the Petersburg campaign.
Steve Acker
A student of history
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