West Virginia and Regional History Center
1549 University Ave.P.O. Box 6069
Morgantown, WV 26506-6069
Business Number: 304-293-3536
wvrhcref@westvirginia.libanswers.com
URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu
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Preferred Citation
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], John Ewing, Soldier, Civil War Letter, A&M 3777, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.
Scope and Contents
Letter of John Ewing, Corporal of the 16th Ohio Infantry, to his wife and children, written from the Kanawha Valley in the vicinity of Charleston, (West) Virginia (2 November 1862).
Ewing reports himself in good health and describes recent encounters with Confederate troops, including a skirmish with Jenkin's cavalry and the burning of several government buildings.
He also describes in detail his experiences as a Confederate prisoner. He writes that he and other Union prisoners were treated decently, although they were given little food. Ewing also says he saw a "Company" of Indians with the Confederates. He describes engaging in debates with Confederate soldiers about the war, and remarks on the opinions, mood, and character of the Confederate soldiers he met, basing his observations on their states of origin. He also provides a list of the units he encountered while a prisoner.
Ewing describes conditions and happenings in the Union camp where he was currently stationed, inquires about the behavior and schooling of his children, and mentions that spies were being held prisoner in the camp. Closing comments regard clothing supplies, sickness in the camp, and the speed of mail delivery.
Includes transcript of letter.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Charleston (W. Va.)
- Civil War - Ohio 16th Infantry.
- Civil War - Union soldiers' letters.
- Civil War - Union soldiers.
- Civil War - soldier's letters.
- Civil War -- letters
- Civil War -- Camps and camp life
- Civil War -- Charleston
- Civil War -- Kanawha Valley, W. Va.
- Civil War soldiers letters - Union.
- Ewing, John
- Kanawha County (W. Va.)
- Kanawha River (W. Va.)
- Kanawha Valley.
- Oak Grove Baptist Church
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- Charleston (W. Va.)
- Kanawha County (W. Va.)
- Kanawha River (W. Va.)
- Kanawha Valley.
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons