Letter from Zene C. Bohrer

My name is Linda Bohrer Anderson. I have in my hand a copy of a letter written by Zene C. Bohrer from the battlefield the final day of the Battle of Stones River. I believe this man to have been a brother of my great-great grandfather, George E. Bohrer, whose family was living in Dallas County at the time of the Civil War. I have always been haunted by the closing: "...I subscribe myself, perhaps for the last time..." and am curious to learn if he survived the war, as we have no other family references to this person.

Zene's mother (we think), Catherine Bohrer Thornburg(h), emigrated to Dallas County from Wayne County, Indiana, in 1856 with several, or all, of her 8 children by Mr. ______ Bohrer. We don't know if Zene fought with a regiment from Iowa or if he stayed behind in Indiana and fought with them.

I am hoping that you will be able to tell me, from his description of the battle and his inclusion of many names from his regiment, which regiment he fought with and, possibly, whether or not he survived the war.

The copy of the letter that I have was typed on a letterhead of Z. C. Thornburg, Superintendent, Polk County Public Schools, Des Moines, Iowa, .........190_. Zenas C. Thornburg's father, Thomas K. Thornburg(h), is thought to have been a half brother to Zene C. Bohrer, who wrote the letter. At the very least, I hope you will find the letter interesting in your research of the Civil War era.

                    Battle Field. (at dark)
                    January, 3, 1863

My Dear Brother:-

Amid the roaring of the cannon and the thrilling sound of musketry, the cries and shrieks of the wounded, I attempt to drop you a few lines briefly. This is the fifth day, and would be pleased to give you a full detail of the whole affair.

The heaviest was on the 31st, and on the 2nd of January. Early on the morning of the 31st, the enemy began the attack upon our right flank, and by 9 A. M. we were all in line. The 10th brigade were on the left of Gen. Reanson's Division; the 30th and 6th Ohio, in front. The enemy drove Reanson, Sill and Thomas, back, and came upon us before we were aware of it. They came upon us through a thicket and we could not see them until they were within 20 yards of our Regiment. We saw them and supposed them to be Reanson's men, as many were dressed in U. S. overcoats, consequently we were ordered not to fire upon our own men, when they (the Rebels) hallowed out "Don't fire on your own men", they then opened fire, and a most terrific fire was poured upon us. We gave them three heavy volleys, and then were forced to retreat or fall back.

They were nearly around us, and would have captured all of us had we remained two minutes longer. They came up in two distinct columns of at least three divisions each or about nine regiments deep. Our men fell thick and fast when they opened upon us. All our three acting field officers had their horses shot from under them. Maj. Kinley, wounded;   Capt. Shultz, killed; Leut. Smith and Leut. Bryan, Co. G, wounded;  Thos. Kent, killed; Privates Haynes, Ed Taylor, B. J. Weaver, L. B.
Morris, Ike Keeny and Grove, Sargt. Ed Parkinson, Sargt. John R. Irwin, Corp. J. H. Levell, Albert Fritz, B. J. Hornaday, Geo. Gebhart, D. H. Paul, and J. E. Wood were missing, either killed or taken prisoners. 

All of the above were members of my company. The regiment was completely cut to pieces. Our loss in this desperate strife was nearly one hundred killed, wounded or missing. I attempted to rally my men just after we left the woods, but failed. I made the second attempt as we crossed the pike and succeeded in rallying 35 men with the colors, and then joined the 6th Ohio, and fought with them all day. The enemy still came out and made a desperate charge across the open cotton field, and our artillery played upon them nicely mowing them down by companies, and platoons. They came up within 30 yards of our batteries, but could not stand it longer and fell back. We opened upon them, and followed up their retreat driving them one mile and taking a brigade of prisoners.  They lost hundreds. Time forbids giving you more at present, but will speak of three days battle as being very heavy and terrific on both sides.

The 4th day, yesterday, at 3:30 P.M. they attempted and made another charge upon our left flank. They came up in three distinct columns. Hardee's corps drove our men in at least one half mile. Still
they came on and drove us back, killing and wounding many, yet we played upon them the best we could, and at 4:30 we gained a good position, and then the tide changed. They were driven back and we advanced at a double quick, and opening our batteries on their retreating columns which were now all broken, and they lay strewn o'er the field by thousands. Had it been earlier in the day we would have taken Murfesboro. We took five pieces of artillery. A dead rebel was found who had three stars upon his coat collar. I don't know his rank but suppose a Maj. Gen. Our loss was heavy, and we have not yet got all our wounded off the field and cannot get the wounded rebels off for three
days. Dead and wounded lay thick for two miles square.

I have not yet seen Rufe since the first. He is all O.K. In the last tide, Tom Benbo received a slight wound in the hand. He is with me however. I have some as brave boys as ever breathed. Gen Parsons was struck with a spent ball. Capt. B. wounded in the heel. Billy P. all O.K. Jack W. and Joe B., Marion street. Joe Shuck all O.K. A small piece of shell or ball passed through my pants but never brought the red. I want you to come down. Don't fail. It will pay you. We had but little fighting
today. Penn G., all O.K. Dave Ferry, wounded; Henry Collins, all O.K.  Don't fail to come. No more.

With love to all, I subscribe myself, perhaps for the last time.
       As ever,
       Zene C. Bohrer.

Please let me know what sense you can make of this. I hope it is of some value to you.

Contributed by:

(Send this page to a Friend)     ( Roster Photo's )

If you have any additional information that you would like to add to this page or other pages and share with

visitors of on this web site, please contact