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Letters of Francis William Kimble
14th Iowa Infantry, Company 'B'
Presented by the Iowa Civil War Site
Letter number fifteen
Ft. Haleck, Columbus, Ky. July the 14th, 1863
Mother, this pleasant afternoon finds me seated to answer your kind letter of
the 5th that I received Sunday evening which found me enjoying tolerable
health. Mother I was glad to hear from old Iowaville again. Also glad that
you had a celebration on the 4th for I had none. Altho I expected one for the
citizens of this place made a great blow. What a wonderful celebration they
was agoing to have on the 4th. They invited all of the soldiers to attend and
partake of their loyal dinner, but the morning of the 4th came and the
soldiers fell into rank with the band at the head and marched to the place
where the celebration was to be held. When we reached there we was very warm
for it was tremendously warm and dusty. When we came to find water we found a
few barrels of water as warm as dish water. At the same time the citizens had
cords of ice on the ground, but those that had ice used it for to put in
whisky lemonade and so forth. So if the soldieres got it they would have to
pay two pieces for it. When dinner time came there was nothing to eat
whatever so the colonel told us that we must go back to camp again for he did
not want the soldiers to be insulted in no such a manner as that. He told us
to invite the citizens up to camp to take dinner with us so that is the way I
spent my 4th. After I was fooled out of my dinner I went down to town and
bought my dinner. I had a very good dinner but I had to pay 30 cts for it.
Mother the biggest time I ever seen was in Columbus after the fall of
Vicksbury. The evening of the 8th the citizens gave out the word that they
would have a grand illumination. Mother it was a grand one for the general
gave the boys liberty to go to town. They went of course.They had not forgot
the humbug on the 4th. For every man that showed disloyalty, the boys would
tear his grocery to pieces. The soldiers destroyed about $3000 worth of
property. They talk of making us pay for it. The boys says if they do that
they will tear the town down. Mother I expect that they have had hard times
at Vicksburg. Our last night's paper says that there has been a great many
young ladies reported to the surgeons of our army in Vicksburg on the
accounts of their wounds that they received from our guns while they was
fighting. We have very good news from the East. We think that General Mead
will thrash the rebels in that part. Mother we had quite a scare last
Saturday night. The long roll was beat and the men drawed up in line of
battle. It was about 11 o'clock when the boys went out and they layed on
their arms til morning. The boys has been called out every night since. Co. B
had to get up out of their beds last night and go to town. They got back at 5
o'clock this morning. There was 2 regts came to reinforce us on Sunday last.
We ain't afraid of getting whipped as long as we are in the fort. One of our
boys was in swimming and found a boy floating down the river. He was taken
out and buried. Mother you are mistaken in redards to my health. It was cold
enough Sunday and Monday to wear our overcoats.I will send you a lock of my
hair. Mother I want to know if you got my letter with receipt in it for the
box that I sent. So no more, but remain you son. F.W. Kimble to Mary Kimble.
Eliza, I will say a few words to you. I was glad that you had a celebration.
I was afraid that there was not enough loyal people left to celebrate the 4th
of July but there is a few left yet. I was surprised to hear that there was a
celebration at Portland for I thought that was the most disloyal place in
that part of the country. Eliza just tell me if you had as good a time as you
did one year ago the 4th and if there was any 2 jealous of one another. I
want to know what has become of Miss Louis?. I heard that she was back to
Iowaville again. I want to know if Rosalie Coombs had anything to say when
she was dressed in her mouning. Tell me if you ever hear from John V. or not.
Eliza you never told me if Deb Garrison was married or not. I asked you that
before. Ellen I wish our old band could of been there. I think the people
would of opened their eyes. They would of thought that all the drums in the
country was there. Eliza I think that you and Mother could find more to
write.So good day. Francis W. Kimble to E.E. Kimble Write soon
James you must be a good boy and learn all you can at school this summer.
Jimmy I wish tht you could see our regt in camp. You would think it a hard
way of living. Good Day, Jifor your brother Francis W.Kimble. Direct as
follows: Mr. F.W. Kimble, Co B, 14th Regt Iowa, Coluumbus, KY.
Dottie [email protected]
Transcribed and submitted by great great niece
[https://iowa-counties.com/civilwar2/_private/ncrbox.htm]
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The Iowa Civil War Site