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GEORGE E. STONE was mustered into CO. K, 15TH Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry, 160th Volunteers, in August 1862.
The 15th saw major action at Stones River, Chickamauga, the battles of Atlanta and Antietam. Stone was promoted to Corporal in November 1864 and Sergeant in March 1865. While the letter carries no date, Stone’s mention of his regiment’s camp being at Stones River would put the date of this letter some time in 1862. The letter also contains good content on Clement Laird Vallandigham, the Ohio congressman, who was one of Lincoln’s most outspoken critics and who was convicted by a court martial for publicly expressing opposition to the war and exiled to the Confederate States of America.
4 pp, 6 1/2 x 8, Stone writes: “Since I wrote to you last, we have changed our encamping ground from the left of the army under command of Maj. Genl Crittenden, to the right, under command of Maj. Genl McCook.
\"Our present camp is named after our native State, \'Pennsylvania\', but it is but land of Tennessee & is but a hollow phrase when the reflection of the mind compares them. Our present position is as beautiful as our former one, or even nicer. It is partially surrounded by Stones River, is in a nice grove, & handy to good water. We have but little trouble in watering our horses, or of washing ourselves. If it (Stones river) contained plenty of nice fish & they were easy caught, we could live pretty well, better than we do at least. I do not know how long we will remain here but it is dependent on the result of the Battle of Vicksburg. If Genl. Grant meets with victory there, old Rosecrans will probably move against Bragg, but if it results contrary, we will probably remain here sometime…
…but I feel willing to & easy. Let things come as they may, knowing that the great wisdom of our Redeemer directs all for the best & if he so ordains that the South ends with victory achieved, I will give her praise for what she does & if the North accomplishes her desires, I will think that it is right. But I cannot infer from the past what the future will be.
“I suppose John Harper & Grandpa would predict but we will allow them to descry for the Republicans only, & if they all concur in their pretended wisdom of future affairs, they may, but I will say some things if they ever get back. I would like to tell them how much I like the just martyr Vallandigham, for doing as he has done & I have to regret that I am not as wise as sacredly devoted to the noble cause of justice, of human rights, with that excellence of eloquence with which he rang his musical thunder tones in defiance (of Abolitionists), & lo their dread. His name in the past has been illustrious, but the time is yet to come when the people will have seen the power of his wisdom & the worth of his advice & as for Jesse Lazear, he will not openly or secretly defy the will of God, by voting an abolitionist ticket. What Vallandigham learned Jesse, though it may not have been much, he will not forget. It is their time for blowing now, while we are engaged in the war, but they will only talk & fear to act. I assure you they will not interrupt the Democratic meetings…
“Now as ever, your loving brother,
Geo. E. Stone”
The 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry had a reputation for intelligence and discipline, often entrusted with special and delicate missions. The regiment experienced heavy losses from disease (103 enlisted men) and combat (3 officers and 22 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded)
Folds, toning. One fold tear reinforced with archival tape.
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