'A rough country'

During the Civil War the stresses of families being separated was often reflected in the letters between husbands and wives. Such stress is reflected in the following letters from Assistant Surgeon A. J. Huntoon of the 5th Kansas volunteer Cavalry Regiment to his wife Lizzie who was back home in New Hampshire. Today the stresses of military separation have been reduced by the use of computers and the "instant" Internet, but they can never be completely eliminated. These letters are part of the Huntoon collection in the Kansas Historical Society in Topeka.

"Camp Curtis, near Springfield, Mo. Sunday Evening, May 17, 1862.

My Dear Wife,

I arrived in camp from my trip to Forsyth this evening and was much rejoiced to find two letters from you awaiting me. One of the date of April 31 and the other of May 2. I had not until this heard from you for near six weeks. How glad I am to know that you are well, but I regret the desponding spirit in which they are written. Why don't you try and make yourself comfortable and happy? I don't like you to be working as you speak of doing. And you will not if you regard my wishes. I still think that you would be more pleasantly situated to board and then you can fit up such things as are necessary to prepare you for your return to Kansas.

Dr. Sheldon, Asst. Surgeon, died at Fort Scott on May 8. Did not learn any of the particulars. I will, therefore, be closely confined for some time yet to the regiment. Aught I not, to be willing to be faithful to my duties for Six dollars per Day? We have some prospect of receiving a payment as the Paymaster is expected to Springfield tomorrow. I think that there is but little doubt that we will return soon return to Kansas. If we go to Kansas and I find it impossible to get a leave of absence to come and see you, I shall want you to come and see me. Would you like to come?

I will now tell you of our trip to Forsyth. It is over the Ozark Mountains and consequently "A rough County." The roads, however, are very good as they follow the dividing ridges and are as hard as though they were artificially macadamized. It is timber all the way and some parts of the mountains are covered with Pines. Butternut is also plenty. There are plenty of beautiful springs and streams. There is but little farming land, not one acre in a thousand being suitable for arable purposes. The fine mountain scenery amply paid us for the trip.

The forces at Forsyth of which there are 350 could give us no positive information of any Rebels in the country about, but thought some could be found 40 miles south in Arkansas. Our colonel told them he was not going to run all over those mountains on uncertainties, but if they had any positive evidence of an enemy that we would go out and whip them. We waited two days and turned back. The white River is as fine a stream of water as I ever saw. It is some 20 rods wide and 4 to 8 feet deep with a gravel bottom and is clear as glass of the purest quality. The water, timber and fine scenery are the only redeeming traits about that section. What few people live in that section are very destitute. The women are entirely without shoes and socks, card, spin and weave their own garments both woolen and cotton. Children with nothing on but a shirt at nearly every occupied house and that badly stripped in many instances.

A.J. Huntoon."

"Friday Evening, May 22, 1862.

My Dear Lizzie,

Excuse me for not finishing and forwarding this letter before this. I have been quite unwell and have been taking medicine for the past three days. I am now better. Think it simply a bilious attack. My small pox cases are doing very well and 7 have been discharged, I as well and I now have 3 on hand. A sad affair occurred in Springfield this evening. A Captain and a private of our Regiment from Mercer County, Missouri were drunk and went to a house for supper. They were refused when the private shot his pistol and killed a young lady 18 years of age. The ball passing through her head. A guard nearby shot the Captain through the body proving immediately fatal. Another guard shot the private through the shoulder. I have dressed the wound and think that the arm will require to be amputated in a few days and then have but little hope of his recovery. Should he survive his wounds, he will doubtless be hung! I shall send him to the Post Hospital tomorrow as we cannot be encumbered by him if we march.

I can hardly write so you be able to read this for my hand is so unsteady and is great difficulty in performing all of my duties. Do write me often. Direct your mail to Fort Scott as I think we will move in that direction ere many days. (Would not you be more pleasantly situated to come to Topeka and board at the chase House than working as you do?) I should much rather you would and think that you might enjoy yourself as well. Get yourself some good clothes and plenty of them. I will send you a hundred dollars as soon as I get any pay. Don't be afraid to ask any of our friends for money if you need to. Friends are useless if we cannot use them. With much Love & kisses, I remain Affectionately and Devotedly Yours.

A.J. Huntoon,

Surgeon."

May 24,

About noon yesterday I was ordered to be ready to march this morning at 8 o'clock. I consequently moved my Small Pox patients to the "Pest House" in Springfield and had everything packed and ready, but we did not start. I do not know why. We may move at any hour. Expect to go to Houston [,Mo.] in Texas county 60 miles south of Rolla. That orders may be countermanded, however, before we start things are a good deal mixed up here. With Love & kisses.

A.J. Huntoon."

Now then, during the Civil War spouses at home often became discouraged as did the soldiers and at that time letters were the only means of communication. In today's military this still exists, but instant communication by computers and the Internet this stress is reduced, but not eliminated and of course the Wars Went On!