Corinth, Mississippi
September 19, 1862
Mr. Thrall arrived at the camp. He seemed surprised that the conditions in the camp were so bad.
Corinth, Mississippi
September 22, 1862
In this letter he tries to dissuade his son from joining the army. There were lots of younger people in the civil war, even if they were younger than the required age.
In camp near Corinth, Mississippi
Sunday Evening, October 12, 1862
Seneca has just gotten back to camp after a two day march in the rain and mud. He talks a lot about the food and the soldiers singing. He seems glad to be back at his camp.
In camp near Corinth, Mississippi
October 19, 1862
In this letter Mr. Thrall talks about his living quarters. He talks a lot about everyday camp life and his job as an assistant surgeon and writing prescriptions for the soldiers.
In camp near Corinth, Mississippi
Sunday, October 26, 1862
Seneca talks a little bit about his horse in this letter. Mostly he talks about the cold weather. It was snowing, so they got a bunch of tin and are starting to build a heater for the hospital.
Camp near Grand Junction, Tennessee
Tuesday Morning, November 6, 1862
In this letter Mr. Thrall and his regiment are marching through Tennessee. They are marching through lots of abandoned plantation land. Some of the soldiers are stealing things, like silver and china dinnerware, from the abandoned houses. The officers have started punishing people who do this.
Camp near Grand Junction, Tennessee
Saturday Evening, November 15, 1862
Seneca talks a little bit about pay in the army. He says that he hasn't been paid in almost three months and only has one dollar left. He also talks about food and the cook that they hired.
Camp near Grand Junction, Tennessee
November 23, 1862
In this letter he explains how the army is organized. Right now he is in the 11th Illinois Cavalry, 6th Division, 3rd Brigade. He also talks about the Surgeon resigning, and trying to get that position.
Camp near Grand Junction, Tennessee
Thursday noon, November 29, 1862
Mr. Thrall says that they are probably going to have to move. Since they are moving, he had to send his wounded to the SaGrange hospital. He only had to send two people, while the regiments around them sent six to twelve. He also bought seven loaves of bread, which was rare in the army, on Thanksgiving.
Six Miles South of Holly Springs, Mississippi
Monday Morning, December 1, 1862
While Seneca is writing this letter everyone is preparing for a battle. While they were marching some of the soldiers got shot. The Confederate army is about five miles ahead of them, and are also preparing for battle.
Abbyville, Mississippi
Wednesday Morning, December 3, 1862
The battle never happened because the Rebels evacuated, but they found two confederates who had run away to go home. The confederate had burned all of the supplies and destroyed the bridges. They had to build a bridge to get across a river and then moved, again, to Abbyville. When they are marching he Seneca sees several white slaves, which he doesn't understand at first.
Abbyville, Mississippi
Thursday Morning, December 4, 1862
They have gotten a new surgeon, Dr. Thomas. Right now they are camped at a one or two day old Confederate camp. He asks his wife to continue writing.
Holly Springs, Mississippi
December 24, 1862
This letter is mostly about a long march. They marched for 40 hours with only 4 hours of sleep. There are lots of rumors about different things throughout the war, but Seneca doesn't think that many of them are believable. It is Christmas Eve, and he is probably going to have Christmas dinner with a Surgeon in the area. Mr. Thrall is upset because he met Dr. Thomas, the new surgeon, and found out that he was cheated out of the position.
Holly Springs, Mississippi
December 28, 1862
Mr. Thrall talks about Christmas dinner and food some in this letter. He says that he hasn't gotten a newspaper in almost a month and they only know what is going on from rumors.
South of Lafayette, Tennessee
Sunday Morning, January 4, 1863
Mr. Thrall talks about mail a lot in this letter. He says that they are surrounded by guerrilla bands, so it is dangerous to leave camp.
In camp at Lafayette, Tennessee
January 7, 1863
In this letter Seneca mostly talks about money. He says that life at camp isn't that bad. He also talks about stamps.
On board Steamer Arago, Memphis
January 20, 1863
The idea of letting African Americans fight in the war is starting to spread. Mr. Thrall thinks that this idea is " worse than ridiculous nonsense". He seems to be getting tired of war.
Mississippi River near mouth of Zazoo
12 miles above Vicksburg
Wednesday, January 28, 1863
There are a lot of sick people. They have taken over abandoned slave houses for the Hospital. The Union is starting to build a canal. Mr. Thrall thinks that it is a waste of time. There have been cases of Smallpox in some of the other regiments, and he is surprised that there haven't been any in their's.
Mississippi River
8 miles above Vicksburg
Wednesday, February 3, 1863
It was raining a lot. It sounds like the Union is attempting to build a canal. Seneca doesn't think that it will work. There are lots of sick people in his regiment, but no one has died in four months.
In camp on Louisiana bank, opposite mouth of Zazoo River
February 8, 1863
Mr. Thrall went down to where the rest of the army was camped and decided that he was glad he didn't have to stay there because it was so muddy and wet. He traveled by steamboat to get there. When he was going back to camp he saw some people firing on each other.