June 3rd, 1865, Camp 92nd Regt. O.V.I., Near Washington, DC

Camp 92ND Regt. O.V.I.
Near Washington D.C.
June 3rd 1865

My dear Parents:

We are still in our old camp near the city. Nothing new or strange has happened since I last wrote.
I have been to the City a number of times and have thoroughly inspected every part of the Capitol of the United States of America – have visited the Patent Office, Post Office Dept., Treasury Dept. and the War Dept. Also have been in the grand reception parlor of the White house – very fine place – there are very many curiosities about Washington, such as I would like to spend much time in seeing.

Col. Morrow sent me to the War Dept. yesterday with clerks to superintend the copying of the original muster-in Roles pertaining to the 92nd. After my business was completed I visited the Treasury Dept. and returned to camp. After supper in company with the other officers of our Div. I paid my compliments to Maj. Genl. Geo. Thomas at Willard’s hotel on Pa. Avenue – the noble and well beloved Commander of the old 14th Corps at the battle of Chickamauga. I had the pleasure and honor of grasping the hand of the hero of Nashville, “Old Pap” as he is called by the 14th Corps boys. He seemed glad, very happy to see us.

Today he visited our Div. and as he passed along the line he was every where greeted by hearty cheers, everyone was glad to see him.

I have been very busy this week making up my returns of responsibilities to the government and making out muster-out roles for Co. A. We will be mustered out so soon as all the roles are completed – which I hope will be some time next week but we will not be discharged until we arrive at some camp in the state. I do hope we may get off soon.

I would much prefer marching through Georgia and South Carolina than to remain here for we could get something good in the grub line down in Dixie, but while here in the land of plenty we have coffee, hard tack and salt pork for breakfast, hard tack, salt pork and coffee for dinner and salt junk, coffee and hard tack for supper. I saw a Miss H. Walker in the city – I believe she is some relative of Mr. A. B. Walker of Athens. The weather has been very warm for some time. I have been writing so much lately that it is almost impossible for me to use my pen, therefore it is politic to close.

Tell Geo. he must have a good garden this year. May & Alice can attend to the wants of the turkeys and chickens. Much love to all the folks.
                                                                    Affectionately your son
                                                                                   David Putnam
Official
Harnily Run
Athens Co., Ohio

May 20th, 1865 Camp 92nd, O.V.I. Near Alexandria, VA

Camp 92nd O.V.I.
Near Alexandria, Va.

May 20, 1865

Dear Parents:

Another long march is finished, and we – Sherman’s army - are encamped two miles from Alexandria & 8 miles from Washington City.

We are very busy just now preparing to be reviewed in the City of Washington next Wednesday. We as yet know not whether we soon will be mustered out or be held full term.  I am well. Frank and Matt stand the marching well. We have nearly nine months pay due us – no prospect of pay – I think Sherman’s army is being treated very meanly by the officials at Washington. While all the other armies & all parts of other armies have received pay to a recent date, our army has rec’d nothing since Aug. 31, 1864.

What is the feeling in the North as to Sherman? I notice many of the papers are down on him. Now for all these poor ignorant fools of editors who have in all probability never seen a larger body of troops than a Co. or Regt, to criticize as great a Military genius as Sherman is outrageous. Now the army generals and all are great & fast Sherman men & will uphold him in anything he has yet done.
We have had some very hot weather.
   
Much love to all
                            Affectionately your son
                                  D. Putnam

We arrived here yesterday.
                                     D.P.

May 8th, 1865 Camp 92nd O.V.I. Richmond, VA

Camp 92nd O.V.I.
Richmond, Va.

May 8, 1865

My dear Parents:
   
Well “on to Richmond” has been the cry ever since the 7th of May, 1864– the day Sherman’s army moved against Johnson from Ringgold in northern Ga. and on the 7th day – just one year of May 1865 Sherman’s army marched into & through Richmond and in and around Richmond is now a reality, although we were not the first troops in Blue to enter the Reb capitol, yet we think we have done our part toward its capture. Sherman’s army left Raleigh, N.C. on the 30th of Apr. and arrived here May 7th a distance of 184 miles – average of 23 miles per day. 14th Corps had longest route yet were the first to enter the city. We are to be reviewed here tomorrow and then soon march on to Washington City – there to be again reviewed and soon be discharged or sent to our respective grand review of Sherman’s army at Washington!! I am very well, boys from Athens all right. Matt & Frank are well, weather very warm. Much love to all.

                                    Affectionately your son
                                                  David Putnam

March 28th, 1865, Headquarters, Co. "A" 92nd O.V.I., Goldsboro, NC

Headquarters, Co. “A”
92nd O.V.I.
Goldsboro, N. C.

March 28, 1865

My dear Parents:

Since my arrival at this place I have received letters from each of you and also from the girls. The R.R. completed to this place from Beaufort and supplies are being rapidly brought forward. I will endeavor to give you an idea of the general direction of our – the 3rd Div./14th Army Corps – line of march through S.&N. Carolina, we at all times formed the extreme left of the infantry force under Sherman, Kilpatrick’s  Cavalry was nearly always either on our left protecting our flank or reconnoitering in our immediate front.

On the 5th of Feb. we crossed the Savannah River into S.C. at Sisters Ferry about forty miles above Savannah. This was the first time our part of the Army trod on the unholy & poluted soil of the state. From thence our line of march lay through immense swamps northward nearly parallel with the river to Barnwell; thence more west until we struck the Augusta & Charleston R.R. just east of Aiken Station & 24 miles from Augusta, here we spent 12 hours hard labor tearing up and burning the road – the boys all worked with a will. Marched toward Columbia crossed the North and South Edisto Rivers passed through Lexington & came to the Saluda River 11 miles west from Columbia where we crossed on pontoons leaving Columbia to our right for other troops to attend to. Our course now lay toward the Broad River which we crossed 21 miles above Columbia, same day we strike and destroy the Columbia and Springfield R.R., from here we march more to the left toward Winnsboro. Passed through Winnsboro 21st Camped two miles north of town on R.R. . 22nd, 3rd Div. commence destroying the R.R. follow the road & labor hard all day road torn up and burned to Blackstock Station. The way we destroy the iron is this; we tear off the railing, pile up the ties, set fire to them, lay the iron on the fire until it becomes very hot & pliable at the center of the rail, then three or four men seize either end, carry it to a tree which is used as a fulcrum, the rail is bent and coiled around the tree, there left to cool & rust, to transport Rebs no more for three years or during the war.
 From Blackstock we move east & cross the Wateree River southwest of Lancaster. Crossed river  28th Feb. Passed N.W. of Lancaster. Crossed the state line into N.C. 3 PM 4th  of March and bear again to our right toward Chesterfield. Again in S.C. crossed Great Pedee river on pontoons 8 miles above Cheraw. We now march directly for Fayetteville, N.C.  When we arrive 11th March lay here three days – destroy the Military Academy, foundry, arsenal & cloth factories. Cross Cape Fear River on pontoons head our column for Goldsboro. We cross the South and Great Coburn rivers & then the Rebs begin to show themselves in force and offer fight; they seem to have a large force. On the 19th the advance of our army had considerable of an engagement with the enemy. 20th our Division ordered to the front, we march rapidly all forenoon & come to the ground where the heavy fighting was yesterday. We march out & form our line of battle outside of our works and in plain view of the enemy, he has his line strongly posted about mid way of an open field. We form our line just at the edge of the field & in a thicket of pine. Each regiment of our brigade is ordered to deploy a line of skirmishers on its own front. Companies A and I of 92nd are ordered out – I deploy my line in front of Regt. We are ordered to advance & drive the enemy from his position. So soon as we emerge from the wood the enemy endeavor to drive us back, but all to no purpose we give them a volley & then charge them, drive & take possession of their works. While crossing the field we had no shelter  whatever – hence it was pretty warm work for a while; but we gained our point. While on the line the Rebs throw grape, canister & shell at our skirmish line at short range. I was slightly stunned by the explosion of a shell but am now all right again.

No man in the 92 from Athens County was injured while some portions of the line lost heavily. I have one of the bravest little companies in the Army – all first class soldiers. 21st Rebs get a good thrashing all along the line & evacuate during the night. 22nd March on our way to Goldsboro. Cross the Neuse on pontoons 11 miles from town arrive at Goldsboro. 23rd Are now in camp one mile north of town.There are portions of S.C. which are very rich and productive but the large portion is composed of sand, pine forest & swamps. All the land we spread over as we passed along is now one vast dreary waste. We burned fences, all vacant dwellings & they were many, all barns, storehouses, rail roads, foraged all the corn, hay, flour, meal, oats & meat – also cattle, hogs and sheep. Yes S.C. the mother of war, fine blood & destruction, has received her portionage & the dregs with it. But so soon as we crossed the line into N.C. no more houses of any kind were destroyed except government works.

 I do actually believe that we have corduroyed at least seventy-five miles of road across swamps in order to get our train along. I wouldn’t give a 50 ct. Confed. Script for all the country I have seen since we left Savannah. I don’t believe it would produce even “good oil”.

I have just received by mail a pocket diary & a bundle containing socks, kerchief, suspenders, etc. just the things I wanted. Am very glad they got through. It would not be safe to attempt sending a box through as we shall probably leave here on another campaign in a very short time & then Richmond will fall. I send you an order issued by Sherman so soon as he arrived here.

Tell Geo. he must make plenty maple sugar this spring.

Much love to all                        Affectionately your son
                                                             David Putnam

January 23rd, 1865, Camp 92nd Ohio Vol. Inftr., Near Savannah, GA

CAMP 92ND Ohio Vol. Inftr.
Near Savannah Ga.

January 23rd, 1865

 My dear Parents:

Yours of 9th inst. has just come to hand – first I have received since Nov. 8, 1864. You may be sure it was a very welcome message.

You speak of the great oil excitement throughout Athens County – has oil yet been found on or near Harnily farm or has any attempt yet been made to discover it? If $50 per acre can be obtained for the farm it is a large price. The two pairs socks have safely arrived and I am now enjoying them. I wish you would send me a pair of suspenders – long as can be had – my old ones are about played and I can get none here.

We are now camped about nine miles from the city of Savannah -  having moved out a few days since with the intention of beginning another campaign but we have recently had heavy rains which so raised the water in the swamps and flooded the roads to such an extent that we are forced to lay still a short time and wait for more favorable weather.

Have not seen any snow this winter and but very little frost – weather has been warm most of the time. The frogs have sung their songs of welcome to the Yankees all winter, and now as spring is beginning in this country they are more noisy than ever.

Some of the Eastern troops have arrived to do garrison duty at Savannah - part of Sheridan’s command – well if they cannot capture cities to garrison I suppose we can, and if they will hold all the country we capture they will be doing something at least.

I miss my oyster suppers very much. While we were near the city I feasted on them in every form but now goodby oysters until some other sea port is captured.

I am glad to hear that the money got through safely. Jona. Smith is on detached duty, there being nothing for him since we left Atlanta. He did not receive pay when the army was paid at Kingston – he not being with us but was left at Atlanta when we were back after Hood. (Ed. note: long unreadable sentence)

You will probably hear that the army is on the warpath in S.C.

 Give much love to all the little folks.
                        Affectionately your son,
                                            D. Putnam

January 13th, 1865, Headquarters Co. A 92nd O.V.I., Savannah, GA

Headquarters Co. A 92nd O.V.I.
Savannah, Ga.
January 13th 1865

My dear Parents:

Although I have received but one letter from home since Nov. 6th 1864 and that from Sarah I will still continue writing. Part of the army is yet in and around Savannah, but we expect soon to be again on the warpath – Sherman knows not Winter, Spring, Summer nor Autumn quarters for his army, and I am glad of it, and regret that more of our generals have not the same spirit.

We have now a great advantage over the Rebs, and we ought to improve this advantage by quick and well directed blows at the heart of rebellion, and our work will be accomplished, and an honorable and lasting peace crown our efforts, and that great boon – liberty – shall be universal on American soil.

I was somewhat disappointed in the late message of the president yet he is firm in the steps he has already taken and seems to intimate that the time will come when the army will have the privilege of pursuing more vigorous measures with the Rebs.

Many Officers who have escaped from Reb dungeons have come within our lines since our occupation of Savannah, and they all attribute to the Negro population of the country through which they have passed, the success of their escape. They – the Negros – could at all times be trusted and were the only friends our officers found in a forty days march.

Savannah is being strongly fortified. These forts when completed will mount about 175 heavy guns. The city is to be garrisoned. The people of Savannah have voted themselves back into the old Union. The last of Sherman’s army – Kilpatrick’s Cavalry – was reviewed in the streets of Savannah yesterday. Secty. Stanton & Genls. Halleck and Meigs were present. The obstructions are being rapidly removed from the mouth of the Savannah river so that we now have some large ships at our wharves all the time.

I wish you could all be here about one week and live on fresh oysters. I have been feasting on them until I begin for the first time to almost dislike them.

They are brought up from the coast in large quantities and we purchase them at the wharf for $1.00 per bushel. (Ed. note: Several sentences about food costs are unreadable. Next an unreadable sentence ending in “with Co. A”) I have invoiced and turned over all my property at Div. Headquarters, and receipted for the ordnance, ordnance stores and camp & garrison equipage belonging to Co. A 92nd and am consequently comdg. the company. I have one 1st Lt. to assist me – C. B. Goodrich from Marshfield.

Capt. Rosser, Lt. Goodrich and self have formed a mess; we all bunk together and have gay times. I like it much better than at Div. Headquarters. I’ve spent most of the time in Brigade and Battalion drills; will have Brigade drill this P.M. Ben is busy polishing up my sword & belt – he says he wants his Capt. to look more shiny than any other officer in the regt. Noble fellow!

There are some large fine churches in Savannah. I attend services during Sabbath; have heard some fine sermons. The weather is at times quite warm although we have some nights light frosts. Oh how I sympathize with you folks up near the north pole in the frigid zone; how you must suffer this winter while we soldiers are luxuriating in the sunny climes of Ga. (Ed. note: unreadable sentence ending in Atlanta) Tell George he must get the teams ready and in good condition for the spring campaign in the cornfields. Ella, Mary and Alice will commence the spring campaign by giving the old setting hens all the eggs they want so as to make provisions for the soldiers while in winter quarters.

Sarah and Betsy will of course pursue their work, Latin, Algebra and Chemistry as closely as Gen. Thomas has Hood.

My health is good, better, best. I send an Ambrotype so you may judge by sight.

Send letters thus - Capt. David Putnam
                              Co. A, 92nd Regt. O.V.I.
                              1st Brigade, 3rd Div.  Savannah, Ga.
                              14th Army Corps             


Much love to all                                           
                                                            Affect. your son 
                                                           David Putnam
P.S. Have you rec’d my money yet? 
                                                   D.P.

December 25th, 1864, Savannah, GA

Savannah, Ga.
Dec. 25, 1864

My dear Parents,

After waiting long and impatiently for a letter from home - and not receiving one I am forced to write again. I will attempt to give you a little acct. of our campaign from Kingston to Savannah. On the 12th of Nov. we left Kingston for Atlanta – the last car has passed north and we commence doing what an army of such magnitude has not done since the war commenced by entirely destroying our line of communication; large details were made to pull up the RR track and burn it. All the public buildings in and around Kingston were burned. Crossed the Etowah River same day at Cartersville. Weather chilly. Nov. 13th Marched at daylight – passed over the Alatoona Mts. & through the town of Alatoona -  Reb wounded still in the hospitals. Arrived at Big Shanty station at dusk. RR destroyed up to this point - weather very chilly – severe frost - last night 14th passed through Marietta – principal buildings burned. Camped 2 miles S. of Chattahoochee River – weather cold – ice along the road. 15th Arrived at Atlanta. Camped for night on Decatur road – clothing issued to the army during night - RR burned to this point. Army in fine spirits. 16th Marched on Decatur road at day light – passed Decatur, small village finely situated. Passed 7 miles south of Stone Mt. – country becoming more open – weather pleasant. 17th (orders to march at daylight every day) – marched on the Augusta road – road passed through Litonia in eastern part of Dekalb Co. passed Conyers fine village plenty forage sweet potatoes, honey, chickens, hogs, etc. etc. weather warm.

18th Marched on Covington Road parallel with R.R. – R.R. entirely burned as we marched – passed through Covington splendid town inhabitants mostly all gone. Crossed Yellow River at West Covington, County seat of Newton Co. 19th Passed through Sandtown – plenty forage but few rations issued – troops confident of their leaders ability to conduct them safely through & to victory. Weather fine.

20th Took my mounted men out foraging. Captured eight fine mules and ten noble horses. Country open and full of provisions.

21st Marched on Milledgeville road & through northern part of Jackson Co. – crossed Yellow river in rain all day – cold - roads muddy.

22nd 3rd Division in advance quite cold last night now in Putnam Co. passed Eatenton co. seat of Put.  Contrabands coming in by hundreds. 23rd Marched into Milledgeville at M.. Capital of Ga. Now in Yankee hands. Legislators had barely time to fly from the state house & escape – so rapid & secret were our movements. Milledgeville is a very fine City . Numerous large & highly finished private residences. Gov. Brown’s residence vacated; his pet militias cant be found. Several cords of Confed. Script piled up in Statehouse. Couldn’t furnish transportation to bring it with us. People mostly all hot Rebs.

24th 14th and 20th Corps lay in camp all day in & around the City. 15th and 17th Corps with cavalry make a demonstration on Macon & destroy R.R. Weather cool and pleasant.

25th 14th and 20th Corps march out of Milledgeville – only depot and arsenal destroyed. Crossed the Oconee River east of the city and burned bridge – surface of country covered by swamps and forests of pine. 26th Marched on Sandersville road – arrived at Sandersville 5 PM . County seat of Washington Co. Very productive county – large cotton fields – Reb cavalry in front. Some skirmishing – weather very pleasant.

27th  Marched on Louisville road – Crossed the Ogeechee river M.– weather clear and warm. 3rd Div. in front.

28th Marched to Rochamfore Creek by AM – Rebs destroyed the bridge – halted & constructed pontoons – crossed over 3 PM & through Louisville, Co. seat of Jefferson Co. Warm

29th&30th Lay in camp two miles from Louisville. Reb cav. all around our camp. December 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Our Div. and Gen. Kilkpatrick’s Div. of Cav. march on a road to the left by themselves and make a demonstration toward Augusta – traveling in Burk Co. Very fine county – full of forage – continual skirmishing  - Rebs on all sides – on 4th Kilkpatrick gave Wheeler a handsome whipping and drove him 8 miles.

5th Marched all day – 20 miles – through one immense pine forest and sand beds. 6th Within 4 miles of Savannah River. Passed Jackson AM.

Negros organized into pioneers for Div. Country very swampy. Land covered by forests of Pine & jack oak – soil pine sand.

7th Marched through a wilderness of  pine, sand, canebrakes and swamps. Direction parallel with Savannah river. Wheeler in our rear with his cavalry – heavy skirmishing.

8th Camped ½ mile from river – saw Reb gunboat – shelled us – no damage done. Weather very hot. Fort (???) near camp also an old church built in 1769 and used by Washington as a hospital. Heavy cannonading by fleet south of Savannah – are now in Screven County.

9th through 19th Lines being formed around Savannah and Corps taking their positions as assigned them. Continual skirmishing – occasionally severe cannonading by the fleet and some charges on forts with hand fighting – all passed quite well. Weather hot and dry. 20th Rebs evacuated Savannah last night. Union forces take possession of city this AM. All heavy guns left in forts – large amounts of stores and ammunition captured – city uninjured. Thus the campaign gloriously ends and the army is in better campaigning condition than when it left Atlanta. It is estimated that the Rebs left at least 100 guns of heavy caliber in and around the city. Boats are daily landing at the wharf from N.Y.

Well, I have at last succeeded in obtaining Gen. Baind’s permission to be relieved from duty at headquarters and so soon as I can turn over property for which I am responsible I will again be with the 92nd OVI. I recd a few days since by mail two pairs of stockings – good nice ones just what I wanted and much needed. Good stockings are a great comfort. When they arrived I was wearing my last pair & they much worn. We are now in and around Savannah enjoying a short rest but from appearances will in the course of ten or fifteen days be on another campaign. I think we will soon be marching on S.C. soil. My health is first rate.

Well I have received my commission as Captain in the 92nd O.V.I. and have been assigned to the command of Co. A. Yes I may now say I am Captain Putnam from Hickory Glade. Pray God that I may discharge my duties honorably and faithfully. Hereafter direct my letters to Co. A, 92nd O.V.I.
Give much love to Brother and Sisters

                                                  Very Affectionately your son
                                                           David Putnam