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Samuel Mack Alexander's letters to Mother and Sister
( 9th Iowa Infantry Company "B" )
His name was Samuel Mack Alexander.
Alexander, Samuel M. Age 24. Residence Linn County, nativity Indiana.
Mustered Sept. 24, 1861. Died of chronic diarrhea Jan. 12, 1864, St. Louis Mo.
Buried in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis Mo. Section 6, grave 191.
The letters follow:
October 8, 1861
Dear Mother,
I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well hoping these few
lines may find ypu all well. I doing well these hard times. I like Soldiers
life very well. I have gained 8 pounds since I left home. It get worse
every day of my life for a man has to take his own part or be run over by
other persons. I don't want to do this chicken that is so (?).
I don't suppose you hear the war news from down here. I can hear them all
day every day. The war will close in the spring. That is what the President
says. There is some fights in Missouri-there is going to be a big
one-before long out troops is leaving. Every day our regiment leaves at 3
o'clock in the morning for the field of Battle we will have fun fun fun. We
have our uniforms-it is blue pants, black cloth coat, black hat with an
eagle on it and a brass bugle on it and a feather on it and white shirts.
We look gay.
We have a brass band with our regiment. There is 1175 soldiers in our
regiment. They look nice in drill. There was 5000 left camp today. I have
more fun with the girls that come in camp than a little. I don't care a
darn what I say to them.
Well, I have been on guard for 24 hours and I am sleepy today so that I
can't write much this time. I want you to write to me for I hain't heard
from home for some time. I must quit for this time so good bye from your
son. My love to all the family.
I will send Louise her name in print for I don't think she ever seen it in
print. She must keep it.
Samuel
St. Louis, MO
Company B, 9th Iowa Regiment
Youngspoint, LA.May 28, 1863
4 miles From Vicksburg, Miss.
Headquarters of Detachment of 9th Iowa Reg.
Dear Sister I received your kind letter a few minutes ago. I am glad to
hear from you once more. I shall try and write you a few lines to let you
know that I am well, hoping these few lines may find you well and also
John. I hain't got time to write much at the present time for it is war
time down here. Our Army has been fighting for 25 days at Vicksburg, hain't
taken it yet. Our loss is great. The enemy's loss is heavy-the loss of our
regiment killed and wounded is 1081.
One hundred to go left yet to fight for the Stars and Stripes. Hurrah for
the old Ninth-just the best Regiment that ever came from good old
Iowa-there is not a coward in it-four hundred and thirty one has fell in
the field of battle that is of the Ninth Iowa. All the Iowa troops is good
but non as good as the Ninth and Fourth Iowa Infantry-there is a continual
roar of cannon all the time-our naval bombards the city all the time-the
work of death has began in good earnest. We are bound to whip the D__d
traitors before we quit this time. They would like to quit the game.
Well, I hain't got the time to write much at the present time. You will
know that I am well and that is enough for this time. There is 6,000
prisoners here that the 23rd Iowa is guarding. Some of the Adell (Iowa)
boys is here.
I will quit writing to go look at the city. I am so anxious for the troops
to live a city life that I can't content myself one minute. You may see me
in 3 or 4 years if I live-don't strain your eyes looking for me anyways
soon.
So good bye. My love to the family and friends, if I have any there.
Your brother S. M. Alexander
P. S. If any of the young ladies want to marry a hard customer tell them
that old Sam-oh hellfire-what nonsense that is. I will write as soon as
Vicksburg is taken if that is yesterday.
Contributed by
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