Patchin Family Papers and Photographs
1861-1866
WVM Mss 1386
2.2 linear ft. of papers (three archival boxes and three flat boxes), 0.1 linear ft. of photographs (1 folder), and 0.1 linear ft. of paper prints (1 folder).
Wisconsin Veterans Museum
(Map)
Correspondence, military papers, and photographs pertaining to Augustus and James Patchin, father and son from Wyocena, Wisconsin who served with Wisconsin regiments during the Civil War. Augustus enlisted in 1861 with Company D, 10th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment and served until being wounded and captured at the Battle of Chickamauga (Georgia) in 1863. He spent several months as a prisoner of war at Libby Prison (Virginia) before being released and mustered out of service in December 1864. Augustus's son, James, first enlisted with Company B, 40th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment and then reenlisted with Company I, 47th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. Most of the correspondence is letters written by Augustus and James home to their family while they were serving in the war. The letters from Augustus generally discuss military life, his thoughts on military service, the health of the men of his company, and descriptions of southern landscape. He frequently asks for letters and supplies from home, mentions his desire to return home from the war soon, and continues to dictate how to perform daily tasks on the farm. Augustus mentions participating in the Battle of Perryville (Kentucky) and the Battle of Stones River (Tennessee) in two letters (October 12 and 16, 1862 and January 7, 1863), and mentions the putrid smell still at the battlefield of Stones River nearly two months later. The letters also include his thoughts on Copperheads, his disgust over the management of the Army, and his feeling that he is doing his duty by serving in the war. Letters written by Augustus from Libby Prison are significantly shorter in length, with one letter stating he was only allowed to write six lines (February 7, 1864). They mention that he is healing from his wound, ask for supplies to be sent, and that he hopes to be released soon as part of a prisoner exchange. Correspondence written by James includes comments about drill and training, casualties among his fellow soldiers, and his thoughts on military life. One letter (April 17, 1865) describes how two soldiers from Illinois were court marshaled for celebrating the death of Lincoln. Another letter (July 8, 1865) mentions that he felt the Black residents of Tennessee were more intelligent and harder workers than the white residents, and that "a man that curses the Negro does not know as much as he ought to about things in general." Letters written to Augustus, before James enlisted, center around the health of the family, ask for farming advice, and mention his own desire to serve in the war. The collection also includes letters written to Augustus from his wife, Margaret, and from his niece, Mary McDougall. Letters from Margaret discuss life on the farm in Augustus's absence and the general health of the family. She frequently states that she longs for his return, and writes about the stress placed on her from running the farm and caring for the children. One letter (April 16, 1863) mentions that she was upset at being called a war widow by neighbors and hopes that he will return soon. Letters from Mary update Augustus on the family, neighbors, and wish him a safe return home soon. She also frequently mentions the need for the war to end so the soldiers can arrest the Copperheads in Wisconsin. Other correspondence include a few letters written by other relatives, neighbors, and fellow soldiers. One interesting letter was written to James from his cousin Clarence Burnett. The letter states that Burnett witnessed Confederate prisoners being transported to Camp Randall in Madison, Wisconsin. He also mentions seeing three cars of wounded soldiers returning to Wisconsin after the Battle of Shiloh, and a cannon captured by the 14th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment during the same battle. Additional manuscripts include a pass from performing duty issued to James, pay vouchers issued to Margaret from the Volunteer Aid Fund, and a religious talisman carried by Augustus. Photographs include two copy prints of images of Augustus. One image is of him standing in full uniform and the other was taken sometime after his service. Transcriptions of the letters were done by Wisconsin Veterans Museum staff and have been included in the collection.
English
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