John W. N. Doak Letters 3, 4, and 5. Fall 1862.

Union Soldier John W. N. Doak's Civil War Letters: #3, #4, and #5 Fall, 1862 

After a year of hard fighting —including the Battles of Fort Donelson and  Shiloh, Private John W. N. Doak managed to get a medical furlough to go home to Paris, Illinois in fall of 1862. After the Battle of Fort Donelson John developed a bad cough and he had regular bouts of diarrhea. He was sent home to convalesce. In his letters John often dismisses his recurring cough “as a bad cold.” It could have been pneumonia, but I suspect he was in the early stages of tuberculosis, or “consumption” as they called it in the 19th century. (He also had “chills” on a regular basis.)  According to his official Company Muster Roll John was absent from the regiment in September & October: “absent–sick since September 20, 1862.” He remained absent for November and December with remarks on the Company Muster Roll: “Absent–sick home near Paris, Ill since Sept. 28th, 1862.”  John was home in Paris when the bloody and desperate Battle of Corinth took place on October 3-4th, 1862. His regiment, at that time called the 14th Missouri, suffered 19 casualties in the Battle of Corinth. 

But by November it was clear that John had a problem. His original medical furlough did not include December, it was likely only 60 days or two months leave which would expire December 1st.  If John did not return to the regiment in Mississippi by that date he would be considered a deserter in the eyes of the army. In the second letter below Lieutenant Simpkins of Company E, grants John more time. Clearly John was very happy to receive this extension and was very thankful to Lieutenant Simpkins.

While John was convalescing in Paris,  Emma was 40 miles away in Camargo, Illinois.  I believe she had a  teaching assignment there at a one room schoolhouse. Although separated by a significant distance the couple managed to visit each other several times that fall. 

Letter #3 is addressed to his brother Will and is sent just before John receives his medical furlough. 

Letter #4 is a short letter to Emma, John had been home for over a month by that time. It is followed by a gracious letter from Lieutenant Simpkins of Company E. 

Letter #5 is the first letter in which John expresses real feelings for Emma, something he later admits he does not like to do much. For the past thirty years I have used this letter in my U.S. History classroom.  It was always one of my students' favorite letters. Students asked: “Did they really take sleigh rides back then?” (Yes they did) and “What’s with the ring, are they getting engaged?” (Yes, most likely it was an engagement or wedding ring.)

#3 

Corinth, Miss.

Sept., 12th, 1862 

Dear Brother, 

I herein send you $30 thirty dollars, might send a little more but I am sick at the hospital & may need a little. Tell Ma not to be uneasy, I am well cared for. 

I am much obliged to you all for the fruit &c. 

I will write again by & by, 

Yours &c., 

John N. Doak 

#4

Paris, IL 

Nov. 1st, 1862

Dear Emma, 

I got home the day after I left you–have had so much to do since I couldn’t write sooner. 

There is nothing strange or interesting going on here so you will please excuse me for writing a short letter. 

I may be up there next Friday evening. Would enter not come so soon but may go down in Dixie before long. 

Yours truly, 

John W. N. Doak 

Camped in Rienzi, Mississippi

November 24, 1862

John Doak, My Dear Sir:

I learned this evening from Clinger that you are coming to the regiment and that you are really not able to come now. I wrote to you some time ago not to come until you were able. If you have never received that, I hope you will receive this. You stay home until you consider yourself able for duty and not until then. I have not time to write anymore this evening, give my compliments to your brother Will and all inquiring friends.

All is well,

I am sincerely,

Simpkins, Lieut.

#5

  Paris, IL

December 1st/62

Dear Emma,

This is rather a cool and cloudy morning, we may have a snow and then a sleigh ride. If we do I wish you could be with us. I believe we took one sleigh ride together a long time ago. I know not what we thought of then, and disremember what we talked about, but don’t suppose we thought of ever caring for each other as we do now or pretend to. 

I wish I knew something interesting to write–then I wouldn’t mind writing but as I have not you must excuse me–though I believe you prefer long letters when there is anything in them or not, so do I. 

There was a party near here a few nights back. I was not there but suppose they had a sweet time. 

I didn’t get home till Tuesday noon after I left you. The roads were very muddy though I came through safe & took Anne down to your Papas’s house Friday evening. They were all well but your Uncle Daniel. 

My health is improving though am not well yet–I have been thinking of going to the regiment this week but have now given it out as I received two letters from Lieut. Simpkins last week advising me to stay at home till well. I am very much obliged to him for such advice and will try to comply with his request.

I will send you that ring or bring it when I come. I do not know when that will be.

Write soon, Yours &c.,

John WN Doak