0.01 Linear Feet, Summary: 1 item (8 pages in 1 folder)
Creator
Ewing, John
Location
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown,
WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Language
English
Abstract
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 writes that he is in good health and describes recent encounters
with Confederate troops. He describes in detail his experience as a Confederate prisoner, including a time he saw a "Company"
of Indians with the Confederates. He also remarks on the opinions, mood, and character of the Confederate soldiers he met
while in captivity. Ewing writes about conditions and happenings at the Union camp where he was currently stationed. The collection
includes a transcript of the letter.
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Conditions Governing Access
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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.
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.