Leonard Anson BONNEY: Civil War - 20 Jan 1864 Letter

20 January 1864

Camp, Railroad Bridge 3 miles south of Murfreesboro [Tennessee]
January 20th, 1864

Mrs. Maria McClure
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin

My Dear,

I received yours of January 10th on the 18th inst. and am happy to know that you are well and could earnestly wish that you could enjoy yourself according to the opportunity you have for doing so. I suppose, however, you will make it up when you get back upon the farm.

I learn from your letter that the Destroyer still demands his victims at “home” as well as here, whether as atonement for the Great National Sin can never be positively known to but One. But observing closely “the signs of the times,” I long ago made up my mind that every family — North & South — sooner or later would be called upon for its sacrificial offering while the Nation is making atonement by putting forth Herculean efforts to defend herself and to undo “the heaven burdens and let the oppressed go free” and in contracting a national debt that will descend as a tax to generations yet unborn, and a remembrancer of the great crime of their ancestors.

There is a rumor here of another victory down to the Front but I doubt any movements have been made. “Gray Backs” (secesh) have been passing on the trains more or less but they are probably deserters, having taken the “oath.” Trains are passing all the time and that is all the sign we see that the outside world still moves.

We had rain on the 17th, a little flurry of snow on the 18th, and yesterday and today are warm and sunny days [but] freezing at night, like our most pleasant March weather. I was out in the country a few days ago in company with our 1st Lt. [Leonard Anson Bonney ¹) to visit a planter of his acquaintance and of whom he was getting eggs, butter & milk (5 miles away). We had rather a pleasant call, were treated with much apparent cordiality, had a good Southern dinner, and conversed freely about the war. They have taken "the oath" not out of choice but for protection from unlicensed foragers from the Union Army, and because they despair of their cause. But everyone can see plainly that their hearts are with the Southern Confederacy and its slavery rather than the Union under the President's Emancipation. We bet a dinner for ten soldiers with our hostess that the rebel government would be overthrown in six months from 1st January inst. I don't know whether we shall be here to call for it if we win. If so, she will undoubtedly pay with the best style of the plantation tho' she would freely bet a dozen dinners that wenever can conquer them.

I am very glad to hear that Kraft is about to leave and sincerely hope nothing happens to prevent him. I do not know who you mean by "Young" or why they should "pick up things around our place."

Enclosed I will send you my last [letter] from Jamie, and if the weight make it “double postage” please mention it in your next and I will not double this size paper anymore. I have no means of weighing it here & do not go to the post office. No recruits have reached the regiment yet but will begin to arrive soon if it be true that it is full, but I have not heard of that save through Mrs. Bonney. I have not heard from Zachariah Wright very lately. I suppose he is sick yet or he would return to his regiment. In acknowledging your letter of the 10th I forget to mention the “stamps” and change, all right.

Give my love to Janie. Affectionately, your Husband

¹ Leonard Anson Bonney (1819-1881) was born in Chautauqua Co., New York. In 1835, he moved to Crawford Co., Penn., remaining until 1856, when he came west, settling in Eastman town, Crawford Co., Wis., where Mrs. Bonney had a brother. Mr. Bonney was married in 1850 to Jane Fisher, born in Crawford Co., Penn., in 1822. She was the widow of Mathias Gear, who died in 1843. Mr. Bonney first entered eighty acres of land on section 1, town 8, range 3 west, but at the time of his death, July 9, 1881, his farm contained 160 acres of land. He was in the war from 1862 until its close, being 1st lieutenant of company K, 31st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was chairman of the county board, four successive years, and justice of the peace for seven years. Mr. Bonney left five children — Emma J., Velma, Hughes, Ella and Fred. Mrs. Bonney had two children by her former husband — James T., and Mary E. Gear. Mrs. Bonney transacted all the business of the Eastman postoffice for six years, when the office was moved to the now village of Eastman.

***Leonard Anson Bonney was in the same regiment as John A. McClure. Leonard would be basically going through the same things as John A. McClure. The information in this post has Leonard Bonney identified by name. His name is in bold red letters.  However, for more information about this regiment , please go to the following website:When Duty Calls — The McClure Family Civil War Diaries & Letters

http://mcclurediary.wordpress.com/letters/