Friday, May 18, 2012

August 18, 1864

Johnson’s Island Ohio

Aug 18^th/ 64-

My Dear Wife-

Again I sit down to write you without having heard from you for 4 months. I can not account for you not writing, or rather for my not receiving your letters, for I know you have not failed to write. And now I appeal to those who, having the supervision, & transmission of truce letters, to allow this to reach you—if for nothing else, on the Love of humanity. Any one having the least spark of humanity, or manly feeling left, if seems to me, could readily comprehend the distress of mind occasioned by a period of 4 months absence of any information whatever, of a dear wife, & child to say nothing of an aged mother. I know it is the fault of those who have control of the mails, for I know you, & mother both have written me- My health is verry good, & I would be content as far as posible here, if I could hear from you, & know that you were well, & know that, you were not distressed like I am for want of information from me- Mr. Nott continues [to] be verry kind, & I do not want for anything- Our treatment is verry good by the prison authorities, but confinement is irksome, & disagreeable- We all hope to be sent home this winter. Aunt Mary of Balto. has sent me a lot of nice things to eat. Embrace my dear boy for me, & tel him when I come home, I will bring him something nice. Give Sister, & all my love—Let mother know if you hear from me. I wrote her a short time ago; but fear she did not receive it. Your devoted husband- Stephen A. Corker Capt

Co. A 3^rd Geo Rgt. Infty. & Prisoner war

August 1, 1864

# 29

Johnson’s Island, Ohio

August 1^st, 1864

My Dear Wife –

I have just arisen from an afternoon nap wherein I had pleasant dreams of sweet home & your dear self – As I find when waking my self still as far from you as ever, I will adopt the only resort& write you – I an rejoiced now that that truce mails are bring exchanged again, & look in every arrival for a precious letter from you – This would be the greatest pleasure & happiness to me (except exchange) as I have not had one from you since 24^th Apr. My health is still verry good, & am getting along well, but the Chinch Bugs are very annoying. Tomorrow we are going to scald everything – I never wanted to see anyone in my life so much as I do you now

I want you to send me your photograph without delay, & directly to my self – I never intend – if I ever get one in my hands again to ever let it get out of my reach – Over 12 months now, & I have not seen even the likeness of my dear wife, & boy – I enclose you the story from a news paper with the announcement of the marriage of our friend Miss Emma – send it to kit. She was married Wednesday 6^th July – Altho she told me she would marry soon she never appraised me of the time. I have had no letter from them in a long time – You must write often – I will inclose you Some U. S. Stamps in my next. I have often sent you some, but you have never acknowledged receipt of any. Mr. Nott is still verry kind. I would be as happy as could be under the circumstances if I could only get a letter from you. Kiss all for me, specially my dear Son – Your affectionate husband, Stephen Corker, Capt. Co.A 3^rd Geo Regt. Prisoner War

[with envelope]

June 13, 1864

Johnson’s Island Ohio

June 13^th/64

My Dear Wife-

I have delayed writing you longer than usual, thinking every day I would be blessed with a letter from you; but your consequent anxiety on my not writing worries me that, I must not wait any longer. I can do but little more now, than tell you I am well, in good healthy. Nothing to write you of any interest except contraband. Mr. Nott has sent me pants, shoes, a carpet sack, besides so some good things to eat. He is verry kind. He sends love to you all. Miss Emma is verry much annoyed about the reports of her being married, which are entirely untrue. She is not married, but will be after awhile. Her choice will be entirely acceptable to the boys. She scorns the idear of marrying as reported, & begs me to assure the boys to that effect. You must write them. I don’t know how she found out what was being said in the South; but it caused her much annoyance. She should consult alone, her own happiness, & I think others ought to acquiesce cheerfully. You know she is verry sensible, & fully capable of judging. She writes me that Miss Mollie is quite unwell. I reckon not serious. The prisoners here, are in much better health than at any former time. There is less sickness. I had a better yesterday from Henry Attaway. He is verry well. He had had the small pox soon after he was captured but is quite well now. He was captured with me. Let his folks know he is well. Did McCathre (?) ever get home. Remember me to my dear precious boy. I hope to get home some day. I am verry home sick. My dear wife take good care of yr self. You are the life of my existence. Good by. Your affectionate husband- Stephen A Corker Capt & Prisoner War

[with envelope]

Attaway, Henry------ private April 26, 1861. Wounded, South Mills, N. C. April 19, 1862. Gettysburg, Pa. July 2, 1863. Sent to Ft. Delaware, Del. July 18, 1863. Roll for February 28, 1865, last on file, shows him a prisoner of war.

June 3, 1864

U.S. Military Prison

Johnson’s Island Ohio

June 3^rd 1864

My Dear Wife-

I have nothing to write you, but, that I am still in good health. This is the most dull, & uninteresting place I was ever compelled to stay at. Nothing to vary the monotony. A few days ago I got hold of Renan’s Life of Jesus- a new book, & equally curious. It is well written, & displays research & power, but his conclusions- new, & as I think, dangerous- are not satisfactory. He explains away all miracles, makes our Savior ambitious, & even designing, which he admits the Divinity of this character, & mission. He rejects in part, the writings of John, & thinks the collection of sayings by Mathew are the more reliable. I wish you could see the book- Renan is a Frenchman- I wrote Ma a few days ago. Hope she has rec’d it. I am quite comfortable, & do not need any thing except being set at liberty & the enjoyment of yrs & sons society again. I had an affectionate letter from Sis Mollie a few weeks ago. Are you all getting frightened on account Sherman? Emmanuel will be a good retreat. Tell Sister J. she must be the Moses of the journey. The pillar etc. But I am as cheerful as one could be in my situation. Oh! how I would like to be South now. Give my love to all- I sent you some little things by Maj. Wilson. Did you get them? Your devoted husband. Stephen A. Corker- Capt & PW.

May 17, 1864

U.S. Military Prison

Johnson’s Island Ohio

May 17^th 1864

My Dear Wife

I have not heard from you lately, but suppose the reason is, you all have been looking for me at home. It seemes now that the chances for me to get home soon is not favorable. I am verry anxious to come & have done all I can to get off. I have had Mr. Nott & Mr. Churchill, both at work for me; but without any result as yet. May be it is best as it is. The ways of Providence are inscrutable. I am still in good health, hopeful & cheerful. I have plenty of necessary clothing etc. I had a few days ago a letter from “Sis” Mollie. I was verry happy to get it. She made inquiry for Cunningham of whom I could give her no information. The C that I mention to you, is not the one, but is from Miss. We are in the greatest Suspense here, as to what is going on in Va. May God defend the right. Tell Mother I rec’d a letter from her lately. I have just rec’d J’s letter of 21^st Apl. I know you done all you could for poor Affee. Take good care of her little children. I don’t think Miss E Is married yet, but writes me that, she will be soon. Tell the boys it is all right. She has not sent me the picture yet. May be she has not had time. I will telegraph & write you. You may be sure, & when I get through. Capt Snead, O’Glesbie, Mcalpin & myself, of my Reg’t are still here. Wright & McRea, were sent off with the sick & wounded. I sent you some little things by Maj. Wilson. I hope dear, to see you soon; but don’t be sanguine, as it is verry doubtful when I will be sent off. Kiss my dear boy. Tell him I am coming home to ride on horseback with him & will bring him a present. I will be so glad to get his picture. Wish you had sent yrs too. Give my love to all. Your devoted husband- Stephen A. Corker. Capt & Prisoner war

[with envelope]

Oglesby, Garrett S: ---- private June 8, 1861. Elected Jr. 2d Lieutenant April 28, 1862; 2d Lieutenant June 1862. Wounded and captured at Gettysburg, Pa. July 2, 1863. Paroled at Johnson's Island, O. March 1865. Exchanged at James River, Va. March 22, 1865. (Born in Elbert County, Ga. Died at Pickens, Miss. April 1925.)

McAlpin, Reuben M.-3d Corporal April 25, 1861. Elected Jr. 2d Lieutenant April 28, 1862; 2d Lieutenant October 8, 1862. Wounded, Chancellorsville, Va. May 3, 1863. Captured, Gettysburg, Pa. July 2, 1863. Elected 1st Lieutenant August 1864. Paroled, Johnson's Island, O. March 14, 1865. Received at James River, Va. for exchange March 22, 1865.

April 14, 1864

U.S. Military Prison Johnsons Ilsand Ohio

April 14^th/64

My Dear Wife-

I again resume the pleasing duty of writing you. I have nothing new to report. No changes, since my last. Every thing is “status quo”. We are much exercised on the exchange subject. But we have been so long disappointed - our hope so long deferred that we do not credit any thing we hear on that subject. We see by the Press. that commissioner Ould has recently visited Fort Monroe & we inferred that exchange was the business of his Mission. We hope something will come of it. A few days ago a Yankee Chaplain gave me a copy of the New Testament. I have just finished a thurough [sic] reading of it. I was indeed obliged to him for it, for I had wished much for one. It is the first I have had since here & I feel that it has afforded me vast benefits, as well as satisfaction. But dear, this is not a place to nurture ones religion; tho I hope I have not retrograded in my Christianity, contrite, feelings & principles. There is so much gloom, so much to engender moroseness, in being perpetually shut out from the sunny world, & the radiant smiles & happy faces of those we love, & all mankind, that it is natural that our hearts should grow wicked & less devotional. But think not so of me. I have constantly in my mind, the part; & I do not forget how we have visited God’s House together & kneeled at his altar, side by side. This gentle influence is always upon me, (& tho dear you must not be flattered) I think it will remain always with me. Oh! how I long for those days to return. I was ambitious of distinction then; but now all I crave is my life as it was then. My health is still verry fine. I enclose you 2 stamps. Miss Emma is going to be married. I don’t know to who. I have it from herself. Miss Mollie O’s brother is dead - Give my love to mother & all. Your devoted husband Stephen A. Corker

Capt & Prisoner war

Kiss my boy-

[with envelope]

Send me immediately Yours & Sons picture. I can’t wait any longer. Fes

March 27, 1864

Johnson’s Island Ohio Mrch 27/64

My Dear Wife-

I was made glad two days ago by the recpt of two letters from you- one dated 27^th Feby ult & one 5^th inst. - I am happy you are all well & particularly rejoiced to know, that, you are in such fine health- I have delayed answering sooner, for the reason that at this time, we have no postage stamp, the Sutler being absent. You ask why I am not rooming with my friends. We all had to procure small rooms as opportunity offered. There was none vacant when we came here, & for a while we were all together in a large, long room; but as some small ones became vacated we took opportunities to secure them, in this way I got in with strangers. I see my friends everyday, in fact the rooms are contiguous. Who did Sallie W. marry? Has George P. any children? Was Newton in the battle of Olustee? I wrote you that Aston, & Doughy, had been sent to Pt. Lookout & that Cumming was dead. No other changes have taken place among us. I can not tell you what the presents are- Jules is something besides a beaux. Tell sister I think often of her. Oh! how I would like to see you & all the rest of the family. My friends continue Kind & keep me in whatever I need. Aunt Mary sent me some dried fruit, ham & fresh vegetables, hermetically sealed, which were verry nice & also. Some apples, onions, etc. Don’t you think she is kind & good? I have written her of my lovely [unclear] wife & bright eyed boy. She says I must come & bring you with me, to see her. She too has a little boy. She’s to come & see me when she can. I will write - Miss Emma, & send your message. I am glad the boys have joined the Church - Tell Palmer I am happy for the receipt of his afectionate message & tell him to kiss mother for me. Give my dear mother my best love & tell her I am doing well. Give all my love. I am, my dear wife, yours devotedly Stephen A. Corker Capt & Prisoner war