Letters from a Civil War Relative #12: July 5, 1862, from Camp Cottrell

Camp Cotterl Claborn Co Tennnessee July the 5 day 1862

My Dear father, I seet my self this mornin to drop you a few lines to let you no that I am well at the present time hoping when these few lines comes to hand they may find you enjoying the same like blessing. I hant any thing verry strong to rite to you this time only I suppose our men has got whipt at old Richmon and I tell you if they are whipt they are whipt mity bad and that is verry bad nuse to us. I am in hope it ant the truth. It come by telegraft and I am afraid it is the truth.

I wish you could bin here yesterday so you could hearde the cannons firde. That would bin a site to you. It almost jard the ground. I don’t know when we will leave hear.

I hear that Moses Reynolds is coming out hear before long and I want you to be sure and come with him and I want you to bring me one dollars worth of stamps if you pleas and I want John to come and get his discharge for it is readdy for him and has bin readdy for a long time.

The boys wants to see him. Enny how health is verry good hear at this time. All is quite in camps to day. (rate by Lewis R)

I want to no the reason that you don’t rite more than you do. This makes the 4 letter that I have had rote sens I have received are one from you and I begin to think long of the time of you not riteing to me. I want you to rite to me as soon as you receive these few lines and rite all of the good nuse you can get and rite what the cecesh is deoing in breathet county and rite how corn crops looks in that country and how wheat crops looks and also whether it is a good  prospect of a (illegible) and I want you to try to rite ofner than you do if you pleas and tell all of the olde friends to rite to me.

So I must close but still remain your son untell death. From Richard Stamper to Joel Stamper.

A few lines from Richard Stamper to Moses Reynolds. I would like to see you and all of the family verry well at this time. I think it would be great pleasure to me to see you all and hear you talk. I want you to rite to all of us so I must close but I still remain your friend. Untell death.

Rote by Lewis Reynolds

A few lines from Lewis Reynolds to Joel Stamper and family. I am well at this time and Mailon is well. I would like to see you and your family the best in the world but I no I cant see you now girls. I would like to see you and if I cant see you I would like to hear from you. Rite to me if you pleas and I will do the same.

Lewis Reynolds to Polly Stamper

Mailon is Lewis’ younger brother, a private in the same company.

 

Letters from a Civil War Relative #11: June 30, 1862 from Camp Cottrell

Here is another one Lewis Reynolds penned for his buddy Richard Stamper.  The reference to "cain tuck" as "Kentucky" makes me smile for some reason. I can easily imagine my ancestors using that pronunciation.

 June the 30 1862

Camp Cotterl Clabern Co Tennessee

My dear father, I seet my self once more to drop you a few lines to let you no that I am well at this time hoping when these few lines comes to hand they may find you all well and harty. I  hant any thing verry strange to rite to you at this time. We are yet close to the gap and don’t nowhen we will leave hear. Not soon I don’t think. I want you to come and see us as soon as you get your corn laide by if not sooner and I want John to come too for his discharge is reddy for him to get.

John I want you to rite to me whether Major Hamton paide you your meny (money) yet or not. Captain Clarke sent it by him and he sede (said) he would send it to you the first chans (chance) he got and if he hant you must go and see him about it and not (forsake?)

I want you to come as soon as you can so I can send neds close (Ned’s Clothes, referring to Edward Turner, as Ned was likely his nickname) home for I no they would be safer at home than they are hear.

Brother and sisters, I would like to see you all but I no I can’t see you now. We have a guard around us now. Wish uou could all be hear the 4 of July. Our men is a going to take a spree shooting with the canons on that day because indepenance was illegible declared on that day.

I don’t expect to rite any more tell I receive a letter and that may be a large time. It looks like you could rite oftener than you doe (do) for I hant received a letter from you sens the 6 of June and that has bin a longe time it appears to me. It may not appear that way to you, I don’t know that but I just guest that a way. I can tell you some things strange. I seen a woman drummed out of the service yesterday mornin. Father I am as fat and actif as a buck but cant jumpe qite as far but don’t lack  mutch of it. So turn over and read the rest.

Tell all of my friends howdy for me and tell them to rite to me as soon as they can and I will rite to them. So I must close but still remain your son untell death. From Richard Stamper to Joel Stamper, rote by Lewis Reynolds.

A few lines from Lewis Reynolds to Joel Stamper. My friend I am well, hoping when these few lines comes to hand they may find you all well. I would like to see you out hear in dixey (Dixie) verry well.

A few lines to the younge sisters, I am a soldier from olde cain tuck (Kentucky) and I have hade verry good luck. Now I am in Tennessee and I let the girls be rite to me, if you pleas. Poly Stamper.  L R 

Letters from a Civil War Relative #10 June 29, 1862, from Camp Cottrell, Claiborne Co., TN

Here is the next letter to Joel Stamper, this one written by Lewis Reynolds on Richard's behalf. There is some surprising (to me) bravado and confidence expressed in this one. I wonder if the entire regiment was in such good spirits at the time.

 

 Camp Cotterl Claborn Co Tennessee June the 29 1862

My dear father. I seet my self once more to drop you a few lines to let you no that I am well at the present time, hopeing when these few lines come to hand they may find you all well and deoing well.

I have nothing verry strang to rite to you only the gap is open.

The rebels left it in double quick time. Our men took a flag of truce and went to the rebels camps, talked with them and staid all njte with them and they tride to swap horses with our men.

The rebels ses they (sic) that our men and them never will fite and I no the reason because they wont fite us. They hade rather run than to fite and it is good sens of them.

I think my self the rebels left 5 cannons at the gap and they are all spiked and they left all of their tents. They cut their tents all to peases with their nives before they left and they left a greate deal of their commissary stores and a good many shels and balls and a greate many other thing too (illegible) to mention at this time.

I received a letter the 6 day of June wich give great pleasure to hear from you and hear that you was all well

Here is another instance where I am inserting an undated/marked page where I think it seems suitable.

I have had many troubles and trials to encounter with sense I have been in the service and expect to see a great manny more if I live long in this troublesome world. 

I want to deo as my rite is. I can put my trust in god for I no he is the only                                                savior and I want all of my brothers and sisters to deo the same for I no life is                                            uncertain and death is sure

There is several sick her and one died today.

That will make a man come to his (illegible - sadness?) to see a soldier die in                                             the servis.

I want to deo as my rite is. I can put my trust in god for I no he is the only savior and I want all of my brothers and sisters to deo the same for I no life is uncertain and death is sure.

There is several sick her and one died today.

That will make a man come to his (illegible - sadnesd?) see a soldier die in the servis.

The uncertain final page.

Letters from A Civil War Relative #9: May 15, 1862 from Camp Cumberland

Here is a second straight letter from Camp Cumbetland, just four days after the previous one. 

Camp Cumberland Knox Co Ky May 15^th, 1862

Dear father and mother brothers and sisters, I see myself once more to drop you a few lines to let you no that I am well at this time, hoping when these few lines comes to hand they may find you all well.

I received your letter last nite which gives me much pleasure to hear from you and hear that you was all well. I have nothing verry strange to rite to you at this time.

We are her at Cumberland ford and don’t know when we will leave her not soon, don’t think.

Father, I would like to see you all verry well at this time but I no I am deprived of that opportunity at this time and it grievs my heart to think I cant see you all.

There is 12 peases (pieces) of cannon hear now and I wish my brothers and sisters could see them. It would be a site to them father. I have seen more than evver was seen, in Breathet (Breathitt) County, certain but it is no curiosity to me for I have got use to such things but a man never gets too old to learn something as long as he lives in this troublesome world for this is a world of trouble you no so turn over and read the rest.

The telegraph is up to hear and the nuse (news) is going on it most every day but we don’t know all of the nuse for they don’t tell it to us.

I  recen (reckon) it is to good to present to any of us. The papers has quit coming here and we don’t get any more. We suppose there is good nuse if we could get it but that is a bad chans for us pore soldiers hear in camps. Father if you have not got cows enuf to give plenty of milk, I want you to take my money and go and by you a cow with it for I no plenty of milk is a great thing and I want you to take good care of my things till I return if I ever doe. I put my trust in god to bring me safe home that I may live a long and happy life with my friends.

I ow Curtis Jet $3.60 and I want you to take my money and pay it and get his receipt of few lines to Brother Edward and wife and Mother in law. I would be glad to see yourself verry well at this time and I would like to be at your house so I could talk with my friends.

Brother I received a few lines from you last nite, which give me a great pleasure to hear from you and hear that you was well.

We have just come off of drill and has eat dinner.

I am not sure if the next page belongs here, but it fits well enough.  

I want you to come out and see us as soon as you can and fetch me some stamps if you pleas. Tell all of my old friends hardlly (howdy) for me and tell them to rite to me very every chans they have and I will doe the same. 

Brothers and sister, I don’t have much liberty in camps. Want you to be good to father and mother for I hant forgot them yet for there never was a child (illegible) for its raison (raising?)  sisters.   

I would like to see you all rite soon as you can. All is in good spirits tonite.

So I must come to a close but still remain your son untell death. Form Richard Stamper to Joel Stamper, rite soon if you pleas.

A few lines to Edward P. Turners widow.

I sent Edward’s things to Jackson (referring to the town of Jackson?) to old (illegible  - Henery Marises?)  wher they will be take on (taken) good care of tell you can get them.

So I must close but still remain your brother. Tell dad to rite soon, Tabitha Turner.

Tabitha was his sister as well as Edward Turner’s widow.

Letters from a Civil War Relative #8: May 11, 1862 from Camp Cumberland

 Richard Stamper sends another message home, again on patriotic stationery. I suspect Lewis Reynolds wrote this one for him. 

 I hope this was not the family’s first notice of Edward Turner’s death.     

Camp Cumberland Knox Co Ky May the 11 1862

Dear father I seet myself once more to drop you a few lines to let you no that I am well at this time hoping when these few lines comes to hand they may find you all well.

I have nothing verry strang (strange) to rite to you at this time.

I rote you a letter about the 14 of April but I don’t know whether you got it or not.

I hant received manny letter from you sens Mr. Reynolds was rit hear and I have throat (thought) long of the of the time I throat you had forgot me but I am hope not. 

                                         Turn over

Edward P Turner died the 9 of April and I want you to come out and take his things home. The captain has put them lock up in his trunk a waiting the opportunity to send them home and I want you to bring brother John with you for his discharge has come on. It was sinned (signed) the 26 of April and not fail to deo so father. (Sic)

I would like to see you all but no I am deprived of that opportunity at this tiem but I think I will get home before long if I have good luck for luck is a fortune but a man be where he may.

So turn over and read the rest.

At this point, I have uncertainty if the next page goes with this one, but I am including it here. The message fits well enough with the previous paragraphs and I think the handwriting is similar enough as well. If it is not part of this letter, his words still give insight into the spiritual side of his life, especially in light of his brother-in-law’s death.

I do not see any other page that might end this missive, so it is another cliffhanger of sorts.

I have had many troubles and trials to encounter with sens (since) I have bin in the servis and expect to see a great many more if I live long in this troublesome world. I want to deo (do) as my rite as I can I put my trust in god for I no he is the only savior and I want all of my brothers and sisters to deo the same for I no life is uncertain and death is sure.  The(re) is several sick her(e) and one died to day. That will make a man come to his (illegible - sadness?) to see soldiers die in the servis.

Location of Knox County, Ky.

An AI generated report noted: “There is no specific historical site known as “Camp Cumberland” from the Civil War era; instead the name likely refers to Cumberland Gap , a crucial strategic pass where Union and Confederates forces fought for control, or Camp Wildcat (near London, Ky, an early Union encampment and battle site. Alternatively, it could refer to Camp Marrowbone in Cumbetland County, Kentucky, which saw usage by both Confederate  and Union troops.

I am skeptical about these  suggestions. The unit had been at Camp Wildcat previously, with letters using that name. Camp Marrowbone appears to be an 1863 site, likely not around at this time. Also, Cumbetland Gap is not in Knox County. Maybe this was a small temporary site near Barbourville, where an earlier letter had said the men were going. 

Letters from a Civil War Near Relative #7: Undated from Edward Turner

This time it is Edward Turner's turn to write and let Joel Stamper know how he is doing. It is interesting to see that Joel had been allowed (and able) to visit the unit's camp. 

Edward did mention he was fighting a “just cause.” I wish he had specified what he considered “the cause” to be. Was it keeping the nation united or did he think of other issues such as slavery?

This one is undated, but Edward died in April of 1862, so I'm guessing at where it belongs chronologically in this series. 

A few lines from Edward P. Turner to Joel Stamper and family to let you know that I am well at this time and hopes that when these few lines come to hand that they will find you all well and well doing.

I can inform you that we are at the same place now that we was when you was here. I would be glad to see you all one time more but it appears that I am deprived of the privalege at this time but hopes that the time will soon come when the Rebels will have to lay down the weapons of war and we can again be permitted to see each other and converse with one another but if I never am permitted to return I wish you to know that if I die in this cause I die in a just cause.

I want you to write to me as soon as you can and come and see us as soon as you can.

So no more at present but remain your affectionate son in law until death.

Write to me how David Sebastian and Hampton Turner and families is doing and tell them to write to me.

From Edward P. Turner to Joel Stamper and family

As mentioned in a previous entry, Hampton Turner was another of Richard’s brothers-in-law, and my 3 times great-grand uncle.  

David Sebastian was one of my 4 times great-grandfathers, yet another intersection of this story with my genealogy.  

Letters from a Civil War Relative #6: February 1862, from Camp Carter

One of the pleasant surprises of this collection of letters was the letterhead on this letter. I really like it and wonder where Richard or Edward got it from. Was it harder to get or more expensive than plain paper?

This is another one in the handwriting of Edward Turner.

Camp Carter February 1862

Dear Father and family, I one time more take the pleasure of writing you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present, hoping that (when) these few lines comes to hand, they may find you injoying the same blessings.

I have nothing strange to write to you but I would be very glad to see you all one time more, but I am deprived of the privilege at this time and don’t know when I can get to come to see you. 

I would be glad you would come and see me.

I can inform you that we have left London and we are now stationed nine miles from London on the old state road that leads to Cumberland gap and the name of our camp is Carter. I can inform you there was a great battle fought at Somerset in which our men gained a complete victory. They killed 500 of the Rebels amongst which was found General Zollicofer and our men took 150 prisoners and 1500 small arms, 12 cannons.

I have been noculated from the small pox on the 30th of January but it has not operated yet but the small pox is not here but they say the are at Somerset.

I can inform you that we are looking for reinforcements every day. The Tennesseans and Ohioans. 

I can inform you that the health is better in this regiment than it has ever been since we come to Wild Cat. I want you to read this to all my brothers and sisters for I want to see them the worst I ever did in my life. Tell them that I have not forgotten them if they have me.

Lewis Reynolds and Edward Stapleton has come in the informed me that you had not got home before they left home and that you was sick at doctor name illegible - Lacy's?) in Clay County which made me a little (illegible.) 

Mother if he has not got home yet, I want you to write to me as soon as this   comes to hand and let me have all the news going on in the country.

So no more at present but remains your affection son until death.  From Richard Stamper to Joel Stamper and family.      

      

The battle he mentioned was the Union triumph on January 19 at Mill Springs, which cracked the eastern end of the Confederate defensive line through Kentucky. Confederate General Felix Zollicofer died in the contest. The Union commander was the same George H. Thomas who had trained men, including the 7th Kentucky Infantry,  at Camp Dick Robinson the previous September.

I find it interesting that soldiers got and so willingly shared such news. Even a previous entry showed Richard sharing information he had heard about the Battle of Wildcat Mountain. I’ve read such reports before, of course, but I guess the family connection in this series magnifies everything to me. They were, after all, just ordinary men like most soldiers were, wanting to let friends and families know of their well-being and experiences.

London was a city in Laurel County, not far from the Wildcat Mountain battlefield. This area suffered a devastating tornado in May of 2025 

Edward Stapleton was a corporal in the same company D of the 7th Kentucky as were Richard and Edward. Stapleton was born in Owsley County, so he may have been a neighbor or friend of at least Lewis Reynolds, if not the others.

Lewis Reynolds' name will appear more in future entries. Richard trusted him enough to let him write the letters that Richard wished to send home once Edward, who had penned Richard’s previous letters, passed away. That may be a sign of a close friendship between the two.

Letters from a Civil War (Near) Relative #5: February 19, 1862, from Edward Turner

One of the more frustrating letters of this project is the focus of this post. It’s a cliffhanger with no conclusion. Uggh.

At least I can be confident that Edward Turner authored this one since it was addressed “Dear Wife.” He was married and Richard Stamper was not. Edward passed away in April of 1862, so it is conceivable that this was the last letter he sent home, though that is far from certain. These were at least among the last words his family heard from him. 

                             Camp Cumberland Knox Co February the 19 1862

Dear wife I am again permitted by the kind mercies of God to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present and hopes that these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. I sent you a letter by Joh Johnson a few days ago but since that time we have made another move towards the gap. I received your letter on the 11th of February which was dated the 3d and I sent you one by Johnson on the 13th of the same month.

I wrote to you in that all the things I had sent but one pair of socks and them I want you to save for me till I come home if I live to get the chance.

I will tell you of all the moves we have made and when I left home on the 3rd of September 1861 and got to Camp Dick Robinson on the7th and was mustered into service of the United States on the 23rd of the same month and on the 25th we left there and got to Camp Wild Cat on the 29th of September 1861 and on the 21st of October the battle of Wild Cat was fought and on the 28th we left there and came to London and the name of our camp at first was Jackson and then the name  was changed to Camp Calvert and left there on the 7th of December 1861 and and (sic) went within 3 miles of Barbourville and then turned... 

The top edge of the letter includes the words "Take care," "all the," "that I," and "till" but the other words were cut off the page when it was scanned. This was likely meant as a closing, asking to his wife to care for the family and/or their children.

Unfortunately, that is all that remains of this letter. It would have been truly interesting to see how he recounted the other movements the regiment made and any other thoughts that crossed his mind. 

This is incredibly frustrating, but that is an unfortunate part of studying history at times.