Item No. 1283635

A trio of early-war letters connected to Sergeant Levi T. Bishop, Company D, 5th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, written between August and October 1861, along with one homefront letter from his sister Lorinda Bishop. Together they offer a glimpse into the earliest days of the regiment’s service in Virginia and the goings-on at home in Taycheedah, Wisconsin.

In the first letter, Sergeant Bishop describes the regiment’s movement from Washington, D.C., to Fort Smith, Virginia, where the 5th Wisconsin was among the early units fortifying the approaches to the capital following the disaster at Bull Run. His tone is confident and patriotic. “We now tread the Sacred Soil of Virginia,” he write, “and I hope that we will tread it till we blot out this damnable Southern Confederacy if here is where it is to be done. Prisoners are brought in every day.”

He then writes candidly about his membership in the International Order of Good Templars, a popular temperance movement of the time. Bishop admits a minor violation of his temperance pledge and speculates about its effect with the Lodge:

Now for the Good Templars. I expected to have those questions asked me before this, but as for any of the Brothers being over the dam, I guess it is not so. But as for me, I have drank some of the poison, but you need not fear any harm from it. I don’t choose to say anything about the rest unless it keeps up a commotion there. If so, write, and I will write a letter to the lodge and get the signatures of all I.O.G.T. When you write, inform me who brought the news there. I think I can open the eyes of some that is now attending that Lodge. I told Em when I was home that I had broken the pledge if drinking a glass of beer done it.

Bishop concludes the letter with discussion of their work on fortifications:

Now I will try to write a little about our journey, &c. We left Camp Kalarama about 11 o’clock PM, arrived here about daylight in the morning, resting on our arms till sunrise, when we stacked Arms and all hands turned in chopping, which kept up till noon. We lay the timber in every direction here. It is for the purpose of getting a view of the surrounding country. Fort Smith commands all that is sight for 3 miles around, but it is a very rough country here, and the hills are heavy timber. But we are progressing slow, but the sure way. I believe we left some at Camp Kalarama sick, but we expect them here every except 2 or 3 who have their discharge, one on account of age. Our Captain is with us now. He appears to be in good health.

Bishop’s second letter was written October 7 from “Camp Vanderwerken.” He opens with discussion of his duties and the unlikelihood of a fight:

There is not much news to write at present as there has not been any general move since I wrote my last. Nothing more than the everyday work, such as Picketing and Fatigue duty. But I think there will be a move again tomorrow or next day. But as there is no secesh of any amount in hearing we will have not obstacle in our way. That’s my way of thinking.

He then describes a scene in camp as one of the ladies from Taycheedah is evidently visiting:

While I sit here, the Daughter is out in Co. D. street conversion with Captain Catlin. She seems to enjoy herself well here. I am glad that the beautiful Flay of the quiet Village of Tay is back, and I hope it is a floating in the soft breeze this morning. There is nothing in this wide world that a soldier is so attached to as the Stars & Stripes. That is the U.S. Volunteer. I mean… Any sane man that will tear it down ought to be shot without Judge of Jury.

Additional regimental news is then discussed. “Cap. [Richard H.] Emerson is well and rugged as a bear,” he writes. “As to the Cavalry,” he continues, “I don’t know what is to be done as there has been nothing done about it lately, as there was a call for 50 men out of each regiment this side of the river for Cavalry and Artillery men. but the men have not gone yet and I guess they won’t.”

Bishop wraps up this letter with other news from camp and home.

The third letter was written by Bishop’s sister Lorinda Bishop, writing from Taycheedah. She describes Independence Day festivities, local social life, and the doings of the I.O.G.T. Lodge. The letter conveys a vivid sense of community life during the tense early months of the war.

Also included are an 1866 contract with the Peebles to build a house and four postal covers, some with stamps removed.

The 5th Wisconsin Infantry was organized at Madison in July 1861 and went on to serve with distinction through the entire war, from the Peninsula Campaign to Appomattox. These early letters date from the regiment’s formative months, before its hard fighting days at Williamsburg, Antietam, and Fredericksburg.

The three letters are each four pages and were written on patriotically decorated stationery. Light foxing and toning. Creased at the original folds. The letters’ transcripts follow:

Fort Smith
Aug 8 / 1861

Dear Sister
I received your letters with much pleasure and perused them with more. It found me well and hearty as ever. But you will see by this letter that we have moved from our Washington encampment. We came here Tuesday night last and have since we have been here put up a very strong fortification called Fort Smith. We now tread the Sacred Soil of Virginia and I hope that we will tread it till we blot out this damnable Southern Confederacy if here is where it is to be done. Prisoners are brought in every day.

It is not likely that you will hear from me as often as you have, but I will write when I can. If I am sick or anything happens to me, you will hear of it. I owe a number of letters. I will [write] them as fast as I can. I expect that we will advance soon. We move nights all together, and it suits me because it is cooler and fatigues us less. This is the best of writing.

Now for the Good Templars. I expected to have those questions asked me before this, but as for any of the Brothers being over the dam, I guess it is not so. But as for me, I have drank some of the poison, but you need not fear any harm from it. I don’t choose to say anything about the rest unless it keeps up a commotion there. If so, write, and I will write a letter to the lodge and get the signatures of all I.O.G.T. When you write, inform me who brought the news there. I think I can open the eyes of some that is now attending that Lodge. I told Em when I was home that I had broken the pledge if drinking a glass of beer done it.

Now I will try to write a little about our journey, &c. We left Camp Kalarama about 11 o’clock PM, arrived here about daylight in the morning, resting on our arms till sunrise, when we stacked Arms and all hands turned in chopping, which kept up till noon. We lay the timber in every direction here. It is for the purpose of getting a view of the surrounding country. Fort Smith commands all that is sight for 3 miles around, but it is a very rough country here, and the hills are heavy timber. But we are progressing slow, but the sure way. I believe we left some at Camp Kalarama sick, but we expect them here every except 2 or 3 who have their discharge, one on account of age. Our Captain is with us now. He appears to be in good health. It was sorrowful news to me to hear of Uncle Hiram’s Death, but that is what we all will have to come to sooner or later.

You must excuse this poor letter, as I have wrote it in an awful hurry and sit in uneasy position while at it.
Yours &c.
From Levi
in haste

Camp VanDerwerkin Oct 7

Dear Sister
I received your letter of Oct 1st in due time. A thousand thanks to mailed me Letter, I assure you. I am well as usual at present, and I hope this will find you the same, and all free from jobs [illegible]. There is not much news to write at present as there has not been any general move since I wrote my last. Nothing more than the everyday work, such as Picketing and Fatigue duty. But I think there will be a move again tomorrow or next day. But as there is no secesh of any amount in hearing we will have not obstacle in our way. That’s my way of thinking.

While I sit here, the Daughter is out in Co. D. street conversion with Captain Catlin. She seems to enjoy herself well here. I am glad that the beautiful Flay of the quiet Village of Tay is back, and I hope it is a floating in the soft breeze this morning. There is nothing in this wide world that a soldier is so attached to as the Stars & Stripes. That is the U.S. Volunteer. I mean… Any sane man that will tear it down ought to be shot without Judge of Jury.

Cap. Emerson is well and rugged as a bear.

As to the Cavalry, I don’t know what is to be done as there has been nothing done about it lately, as there was a call for 50 men out of each regiment this side of the river for Cavalry and Artillery men. but the men have not gone yet and I guess they won’t.

I have been down to the creek a washing my clothes this morning and it has made my hand tremble so I can scarcely write at all. We have soft water here to wash with. This is better than Fountain water to.

I saw a gentleman from Martinsburg the other day. He belong to a Co. from there. His name was Ladne I think. He said that Horace Lee was the Captain. I don’t know them, of course, but I presume that Ma or Ezra does. He was well acquainted with Uncle Sanford and all the rest of the Peebles. Lieutenant Berry says (we will) get a pass some and go and see them.

I would like to know if you have heard from Uncle Lester since I came away. I don’t think of anything more now.
From Your Aff. Bro. Levi

P.S. I will write to Luke & Levrette i a day or so, and one or two others in Tay.

Taycheedah, July 7th

My Dear Brother Levi:
I received your letter Friday. Was very much pleased to get it. Mr. Disbrow brought one for Ma Thursday. We received the first last Monday, and I must say you was real good to write so soon after getting there, but it was so long coming that began to think you were not going to write.

We are all well as usual at present. Leverett was sick with a sore throat two or three days last week. The 4th was one of them, so he did not have much of a 4th. LaFayette was sick that day, but is better now. Perhaps you would like to know how I spent the 4th. Well, Lew took Lucretia, Lois, Helen Bigford, and myself up to Mr. Norton’s in the morning, and we stayed till 5 o’clock in the afternoon. Had a nice quiet visit and we made a table outdoors under the trees and had a nice dinner, strawberries and cream in abundance. We could have gone to F.D.’s but thought we should not be paid for our trouble, as there would be such a crowd and so warm. The talk was that all the girls were going up there to have a picnic, but they changed their minds, some for one reason, some for another. Lew, Luke & Ben went up to the city. When we came home Em and Amelia came with us and Lew was going to take us all up to see the fireworks, but it rained all the evening, so we had to stay at home.

Levi, I hardly know what I am writing, for I sat up all night last night at Mr. Shadbolt’s and I am very sleepy. Amy, Henry & Ben were there. We went over from the Lodge. I suppose, of course, that you have heard of Alvin’s death. It is a very sad event. I can hardly realize it at all. It is a very heavy blow for the family.

There is not much to write about the Lodge this time. Had a very small attendance last evening. It looked so much like rain many did not venture out besides the village members. Nina was W.C. There were no initiates and the black clouds hurried us home, so there was not much done or to be done, for everything was attended to that came in the way.

It is very warm today and yesterday was the warmest day that we have had this summer. We had a nice shower, but it did not cool the atmosphere in the least. I think I must bring this mixed up mess to a close, for it is nearly time for the funeral and I must go.

You must excuse this poor letter and I hope next time I write to be awake enough to know what I am doing, instead of nod, nod, nodding over pen & paper, as I am now. Give my love to all. Write soon.
And believe me your
Affectionate sister Lorinda

P.S. Have you got your uniform? If so, get your picture taken and bring it home. Who preaches for the regiment? Ma will write soon, but can’t today. Mrs. Giesse said today that she had sent some books to you. I am glad of that, for you must have time to read. She & Julia inquire about you and think it strange you do not mention them in your letters.
Goodbye again
L. C. Bishop