xt7j0z70wb19 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7j0z70wb19/data/mets.xml Stevenson, Benjamin Franklin. 1884  books b9297378st4812009 English R. Clarke : Cincinnati, Ohio Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. United States --History --Civil War, 1861-1865 --Personal narratives. Letters from the Army / by B. F. Stevenson, surgeon to the Twenty-second Kentucky Infantry text Letters from the Army / by B. F. Stevenson, surgeon to the Twenty-second Kentucky Infantry 1884 2009 true xt7j0z70wb19 section xt7j0z70wb19 
    
    
    
    
   LETTERS V\m TIIK AltMV

1862=1864.

by

B. F. STEVENSON.

SORGEON TO THE

TWENTY-SECOND KENTUCKY INFANTRY.

CINCINNATI: ROBERT CLARK B & CO. 18811. 
   v     TWMiBii"-----

COPYKIQHT, 1S8-4,

By W. E. DIBBLE & CO.

I 
   DEDICATION.

TO THE MEMORY OF

MY BURIED WIFE,

TO- WHOM

MOST OF THE FOLLOWING LETTERS WERE WRITTEN, AND WHO, IN ALL THE RELATIONS OF LIFE, AS DAUGHTER, SISTER, WIFE, AND MOTHER,

WAS EVER AND ALWAYS KIND, TENDER, GENTLE, AND AFFECTIONATE, IS THIS LITTLE VOLUME MOST REVERENTLY DEDICATED, BY THE AUTHOR. 
    
   PREFACE.

" Of making many books there is no end," saith Solomon; and this one, written in a period of war, along the line of the army by one who knew nothing of tactics, strategy, or the science of war   and which has been revised and published in a time of profound peace by one wholly ignorant of the art of book-making, and who prefers no claim to literary attainment   may be regarded, somewhat, as an anomaly. The author wrote as he thought and felt under the surroundings and emergencies of the day (or rather of the night, as most of his letters were written while his mess-mates were sleeping beside him); he wrote because impelled to do so, to preserve and to maintain untarnished and bright the domestic bond that had been the solace and joy of his life. Each letter has its individuality, the off-spring of the moment, but running through them all is a thread of unity   unity of feeling and of sentiment making them one.

They were written without the remotest thought of publication, or even of preservation, and are now given to the public with, perhaps, as little expurgation as was ever applied to such a mass of manuscript.

The epistolary form is not generally esteemed the best for the purpose of the author   that of furnishing some memoranda  of the marchings, counter-marchings and 
   VI

PREFA C  .

conflicts in which his regiment participated during his period of service with it; but having once told his story in that form, he distrusted his ability to turn it into narrative, and at the same time preserve the air of verisimilitude which the epistolary form permits.

While admitting the defects of his book, the author claims for it some merits: First, that of earnest, ardent, unwavering adherence, amid all its reverses and disasters, to the cause in which he had embarked; and second, that of absolute truthfulness in statement, so far as he was able to comprehend and know the truth.

His early political affiliations and associations were with the party that acknowledged the sovereignty of the Nation, and on the outbreak of rebellion he felt irresistibly impelled to go where the logical teachings of his life pointed.

The right of revolution is inherent, indefeasible, inalienable, and can neither be granted, denied, nor limited by legal or constitutional verbiage. It is an exercise of power, in the presence of which laws are silent. Had our Southern brethren boldly assumed the role of revolutionists they would have strengthened their cause and won in a higher degree than they did, the respect and admiration of the world. Their fight was a gallant and a bitter one; but, made on the assumption of legal and constitutional right, drawn from the charter establishing the government, it was extreme folly, or fraud.

B. F. S.

Visalia, Kenton County, Ky., June 11, 1884. 
   LETTERS FROM THE ARMY.

Camp King, near Covington, Kentucky, V

Dec. 26, 1861. j

Dear Sister,   I feel it due to you to let you know my present whereabouts and future prospects. I take it as granted that you were apprised of my intention to enter the army if a surgeon's position were offered me. I am here with the 23d Regiment Kentucky Infantry in that character, tho' not as Senior Surgeon. I attended at Louisville on the 10th, for examination by the Army Medical Board as a candidate for the rank of surgeon; on which occasion the members of the Board voluntarily said to me that I ought not to accept any position less than that of Regimental Surgeon. I felt grateful for the compliment implied, but felt at the same time somewhat as Sancho Panza did when advised not to accept the governorship of the island of Barataria, "that such islands were not to be had every day for the asking." The second position had been offered me; the first had not, in a regiment which I thought presented a reasonable prospect of filling up   oon; and as my mind had long since reached the conclusion that the government had a just and an equitable right to demand the services of all its citizens, it was therefore no part of patriotism to haggle about the "order of going, but to go at once."

My duties here are so entirely different from anything encountered in private practice that I find I have much to 
   8 LETTERS FROM THE ARMY.

learn; but will strive to master the situation, and thus merit ^the advanced position, whether I shall achieve it or not.

I was mustered in on the 16th, and have been regularly in camp since the 20th, and have formed a mess with the Senior Surgeon, the Chaplain, and the Hospital Steward, and after six days' acquaintance with them 1 think there will be no more agreeable mess in the regiment. Dr. Strotthote is a German of fine education, a reputable physician of Newport, and, I think, very much of a gentleman. The Rev. Mr. Black, of Newport also, is Chaplain. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and he appears to me to be a modest, sensible gentleman.

My absence from home is, of course, a source of grief to Lida and the children, and I have my regrets also, as no man on earth has had a quieter or more desirable home, or a better, more lovable wife and children than I have. But an all-absorbing, all-engrossing sense of duty, alike to country and family, impelled me to my present position.

I trust mother has before this time reconciled herself to my action. The country must be defended, or we will soon be in the deplorable condition of Missouri, whose people 1 consider the most wretched of any at present in the United States. I know no reason why I should not be as subject to duty as any man, as I have had the protection of government all my life. I feel, too, that something is due to the memory of a father who in the war of 1812 shouldered his musket at the call of his country and on the plains of Canada aided in vindicating the rights of the nation.

I see no present indications that the regiment will be moved forward. There are disagreements and heart-burnings among the official corps of the regiment, which I fear much will tend to impair the spirit and vigor of the troops. It was given out yesterday that we would be ordered to Somerset, Ky., during next week, but I have just learned that the rumor is unfounded.    If we should go to that 
   LETTERS FROM THE ARMY. g

point, we will pass through Lexington, and if so, I will make the effort to see you.

Delia owes me a letter. She used to abuse me for neglecting her, but now, when she extracts a letter from me she lets it go unanswered. She must do better if she hopes to hear from me in the future.

Much love to all, and kind wishes to enquiring friends. Yours truly,

B. F. STEVENSON. Mrs. A. H. Keene, Georgetown, Ky.

i

Ashland, Kentucky, Jan. 9, 1862. Col. D. W. Lindsey, Com. 22d Ky. Infty. Louisa, Kentucky.

Sir,   Herewith I send a letter addressed to me by R. Murray, Surgeon U. S. A., and Medical Director of the Department of the Ohio.

From its phraseology I infer that my nomination, by Dr. Flint, as surgeon to the 22d Kentucky Infantry is subject to your approval. I shall await your orders at this point.

I found in hospital here some seventy odd sick men, under charge of Dr. Jones, Contract Surgeon, who wished very much to be relieved, and I assumed control at once. I hope to hear from you soon.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

B. F. STEVENSON.

Medical Director's Office,

Department of the Ohio, Louisville, Kentucky, Dec. 30, 1861 Sir,     Col. Lindsey has authorized Dr. Flint, of this city, to nominate a surgeon for his regiment.   Dr. Flint 
   io LETTERS FROM THE ARMY.

has selected you. Please report to Col. Lindsey at once, at Ashland, near Greenup. Your services are needed immediately. You will at once make requisition on Assistant Surgeon J. P. Wright, of Cincinnati, Ohio, for a three months' supply of medical and hospital supplies. Take this letter to Col. Lindsey.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

R. MURRAY, Surgeon U. S. A.   Medical Director. To Dr. B. F. Stevenson, Burlington, Kentucky.

Headquarters 22d Regiment,

Kentucky Volunteer Infantry,

Louisa, Kentucky, Jan. 12, 1862. Dr. B. F. Stevenson,

Ashland, Ky.

Sir,   Your letter of the 9th inst., together with that of Surgeon R. Murray inclosed, reached me to-day. Your nomination as Surgeon to the 22d Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, by Dr. Flint, is cordially approved. You will remain in charge of the sick in hospital at Ashland, Ky., subject to my orders. You will once each week send to these headquarters a report of your sick in hospital, and also of your convalescents.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

D. W. LINDSEY, Col. Com'ding 22d Regt. Ky. Vol. Infty.

Ashland, Kentucky,/