Civil War Letter

Battle content inthis 1864 Minnesota infantryman’s CIVIL WAR LETTER written from Little Rock,Arkansas. The writer describes how theywere badly outnumbered by Confederate forces, and gives a casualty report.

FULL SCANS, TRANSCRIPT and SCANS below.

Caleb Chase, Jr. (1842-1864) enlisted at age 19 as a private in October 1861 in Company H, 3rd Minnesota Infantry. His older brother John B. Chase (1839-1865) enlisted at age 23 as a private in August 1862 in Company A, 9th Minnesota Infantry.

Caleb and his brother John were from Otsego, Wright County, Minnesota. They were the sons of Caleb Chase (1800-1864) and Hannah Fowler Burrill (1814-18xx) who moved their family from Sebec, Maine to Otsego, Minnesota between 1850 and 1855. Their siblings included Albion P. Chase (1835), Permelia (1838-1855), Betsy C. Chase (1845), Joseph Warren Chase (1849-1879), Alba Chase (1856) and Nancy Marie Chase (1857-1864).

A regimental history (Minnesota in the civil and Indian wars, 1861-1865) states that Caleb Chase, Jr. re-enlisted on 31 December 1863 and that he died at Pine Bluff, Arkansas on 19 July 1864. Enlistment records indicate that Caleb Chase stood 5 ft 10½ inches tall; had blue eyes, light hair and light complexion.

The regimental record of Company A, 9th Minnesota only states that John B. Chase “died at Vicksburg (date not given).”

Though brothers John and Caleb Chase would proudly serve in two different Minnesota Regiments, both oftheir paths would cross with one of the most polarizing figures in Civil War history — Nathan Bedford Forrest; a name that would strike fear into the hearts of many a Union soldier marching south of the Mason-Dixon line.

Hiram and William Gripman wearing the uniforms of Co. I, 3rd Minnesota Infantry

Two years younger, Caleb was the first to answer his country’s call. He enlisted in 1861 in the 3rd Minnesota — a regimentthat would eventually earn distinction but not before enduring ridicule and condemnation by other regiments and the embarrassing humiliation of surrender to Gen. Forrest in July 1862 at Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

It was a year later when brother John entered the service, joining the “hard luck” regiment of the 9th Minnesota. After a year of suppressing hostilities with Native Americans on the Minnesota Frontier, and in their first major engagement against Confederate forces, they had the misfortune of being attached to an expedition into Mississippiwhere they clashed with Gen. Forrest in the Battle of Brice’s Crossroads. Union Gen. Samuel Sturgis proved to be no match for the wily and audacious Forrest who relentlessly attacked and pursued the larger Union force, taking many of them prisoners — including 235 men of the 9th Minnesota.

Both brothers sentfrequent reassurances in the letters they sent home to their motherpleading“not to worry” about them. But neither of these snake bit soldiers survived the war. Caleb died of chronic diarrhea at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in July 1864. He was initially interred at Pine Bluff but was later removed to the Little Rock National Cemetery. His body lies in Section 4, Site 3226 under the name, Caleb Chase, Jr.

While the bulk of General Steele’s army were off supporting Gen. Banks’ Red River Campaign, intelligence was received at Little Rock that confederate forces were assembling in northeast Arkansas. Colonel Andrews, in charge of the 3,000 troops left in the vicinity of Little Rock (which included those companies of the 3rd Minnesota not on veteran’s furlough), decided to take an expedition on 30 March1864 up the White River to break them up. In an engagement known as Fitzhugh’s Woods, some 180 men under Col. Andrews fought elements of Confederate infantry under Major George Rutherford and Brigadier General Dandridge McRae about sixmiles above Augusta. Recognizing they were against tall odds and in danger of being cut off in their line of retreat, Col. Andrews’ men (which included Caleb Chase of the 3rd Minnesota) fought their way back to the White River. At a critical juncture in the engagement, the Third Minnesota made a counter charge with fixed bayonets “which was effective, and seemed to prove the decisive feature of the action.” At the river once more, “the detachment of the Third Minnesota and and Captain Mathews’ company of the 8th Missouri Cavalry deliberately embarked and returned” to Little Rock the afternoon of 2 April 1864 “having made an expedition of one hundred and sixty-eight miles and back inside of three Rock [Arkansas]
April 3d 1864

Dear Mother,

It was with a heavy heart that I read [sister] Betsy’s letter last night but William [McLeod] got one days two days later which said dear sister Rie [Marie] was dead. This is hard news for me. I am dreading to get the next letter for fear it will bring the news of Father’s death. How I wish I was at home now but the regiment will not start for some time yet. But I will try and get a separate furlough but I don’t know for certain as I shall succeed. I will come if I can possibly.

I did not send but five dollars home because I thought then we was going home soon. I will send ten dollars in this letter and if I don’t start soon, I will send some more. I hope Father will yet get better.

The regiment has been out on a scout and returned last night. There was only 175 of us and we were attacked by seven hundred (700) Rebels. we fought them four hours and then retreated to our boats which were five miles distant. We had eight killed and about twelve wounded in our company one killed and two wounded. The Rebels lost a great many more than we did. It was a hot time, but I came out all right once more. I can tell you more about it when I get home. You will see it in the papers soon.

I will write again soon if I don’t come home. I will close. Write as usual. William is well as ever.

Yours affectionately, — Caleb Chase

TERMS

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