Civil War Letter Explicit Sexual Content / SOLD
Explicit Sexual Context
Written by George W. Jackson of the 4th Indiana Light Artillery
Jackson enlisted on September 30th, 1861 as a private and mustered out in August of 1865 as a2nd Lieutenant. He writes to his cousin James of his exploits while in town.
George W. Jackson:
Enlisted on 9/30/1861 as a Private.
On 9/30/1861 he mustered into IN 4th Light Artillery
He was Mustered Out on 8/1/1865 at Indianapolis, IN
Promotions:
* 2nd Lieut 11/1/1864
Fourth Light Battery INDIANA (3-YEARS)
Fourth Light Battery. -- Capts., Asahel K. Bush, David Flansburg, Benjamin F. Johnson.
This battery was raised in Laporte, Porter and Lake counties and was mustered in at Indianapolis, Sept. 30, 1861. It was immediately ordered to Louisville, Ky., where it joined Gen. Buell's army.
During the winter it remained in camp in the vicinity of New Haven, Munfordville and Bowling Green and in the spring of 1862 moved with Buell to Nashville. It next marched to Savannah, Tenn., but was unable to cross the river in time to take part in the battle of Shiloh.
It participated in the campaign through northern Alabama and middle Tennessee following the siege of Corinth, reaching Nashville late in August.
Proceeding to Louisville at the time of Bragg's invasion, it accompanied Rousseau's division and took part in the campaign that drove Bragg's forces from the state, being in the battle of Perryville, where it was one of two batteries to occupy a high ridge on Rousseau's left, its work aiding materially in saving the left of McCook's corps and securing to the army the Mackville road, upon which stood the entire ammunition train and ambulances.
Upon its return to Nashville it was assigned to the 3d division of McCook's corps, Gen. Sheridan being the division commander. At the battle of Stone's river it performed heroic service, driving an opposing battery to cover the first day, then moved across an open field and shelled a battery in the woods for two hours, silencing it, the enemy losing half his horses, a gun disabled, 1 lieutenant and 12 men killed and several wounded, besides a number of the supporting infantry. The 4th lost 4 killed and 3 wounded.
The following day it was in a hot engagement, losing a caisson through having every horse drawing it shot down while falling back to take a new position. Later it lost 2 guns, the infantry driving past with such rapidity as to force them to one side, 1 gun being fastened in the trees and nearly all the horses killed by a battery posted but 40 yards away. Having exhausted its ammunition it moved to the rear, obtained a supply and reported again for duty with 3 pieces.
It was in position the following day, losing in the 3 days' battle 6 killed, and 17 wounded, 2 paroled by the enemy and 1 missing.
It was encamped near Murfreesboro until June, 1863, then moved on the Tullahoma campaign and was engaged at Hoover's Gap. It was next engaged at Dug Gap and at the battle of Chickamauga, where it rendered effective service.
It took part in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, and was then stationed at Chattanooga until Sept. 21, 1864, at which time the reenlisted veterans and recruits were transferred to the 7th battery, with which they remained until its muster-out.
The non-veterans were mustered out at Indianapolis on Oct. 6, 1864, with Benjamin F. Johnson as captain. It joined the army of the Cumberland at Nashville, and after the battle at that place was assigned as garrison of Fort Rosecrans, Murfreesboro, remaining there until mustered out Aug. 1, 1865.
Inventory Number: DOC 238 / SOLD