CIVIL WAR LETTER - 103rd Illinois Infantry - Ready for a Fight in Mississippi !

Description

Civil War Letter
Civil War Letter - Written by Soldier in Company "F" of the 103rd Illinois Infantry.
In 1986, William M. Anderson published a book through Western Illinois University entitled,
“We are Sherman’s Men; the Civil War Letters of Henry Orendorff.”
The book was made possible when Mrs. Margaret Jasperson, the granddaughter of Henry H. Orendorff, consented to allow the letters in her possession to be published.
During his thirty-four month service in
Co. F, 103rd Illinois Infantry
, Henry wrote to his friends and loved ones at home. Most were collected by the family for preservation and passed down to Mrs. Jasperson. But apparently a couple dozen pre-war, war, and post-war letters were held by other family members that did not get published in Anderson’s book.
The letter transcribed below is one of the previously
unpublished
letters of Henry Orendorff and his brother John W. Orendorff (1830-1883), who served in the same company. It appears the unpublished letters were addressed principally to their older brother, William J. Orendorff of Canton, Illinois.
As William Anderson compiled a comprehensive biography of Henry Orendorff, I will not attempt to rewrite one but simply quote selected passages from his Introduction and refer the reader to his book (see below) for a more complete study.
“Like most Civil War soldiers, Henry H. Orendorff was an agrarian born February 21, 1840, on a farm in Orion Township, Fulton County, Illinois. He and his brother John enlisted together on August 20, 1862, in the 103rd Illinois Infantry, their unit later being designated Company F. At the time and according to
his own
description, he was “Age 22, eyes grey, hair light, pretty good nose, thick lips, weight 122 lbs., gross ears, lopping beard not so light as hair, legs 31½ in. long, & straight arms, small boots pegged.
“Not unlike many Illinois soldiers, Henry Orendorff was a racist. Yet he was pro-administration, read the Republican biased
Canton Weekly Register
and strongly opposed the Copperhead movement. Support for the war was a key issue in the 103rd Illinois as Copperheadism flourished in Fulton County and Henry’s convictions were even challenged by peace advocates among his relatives who resided in Bloomington, Illinois.
“The youngest child of John and Margaret Orendorff, Henry’s family included three brothers and two sisters: Washington, Caroline, William J., John W., and Sarah Margaret. Although he wrote to ‘everyone,’ his mainstays were brother William and his modest sibling, Maggie. Henry and Maggie shared a special relationship.
“The 103rd Illinois, popularly known as the Fulton Regiment, recruited nearly all of its members from Fulton County. Also, unlike many Civil War regiments, the 103rd was led by a cadre of experienced officers who had served previously in other Illinois units. Orendorff’s regiment performed a secondary role in the Vicksburg Campaign, were involved in following up that great victory, saw its heaviest action at Missionary Ridge and the Atlanta Campaign and participated in the march through the Carolinas.”
I looked on Amazon for the book and couldn't find one (unless I missed it).   I did find an image of the book online.
Transcription
[Lagrange, Tennessee]
April 16, 1863
Dear Brother [Washington]
You may think that letters are coming thick but when we have a good chance we think we must send you something. This is all we have at the present to send to you. I am glad that I can say that my health is improving as fast as could be expected. I don’t think the water or climate will agree with me very well here. It is all soft water that we get to use here. The land is very rolling and dry and looks like a healthy location.
I went on duty yesterday—the first for some time. Our regiment is doing part of the picket duty ay the present. Brother Henry is out on picket duty today. There is a current report in camp today that there [is] a force of 17 thousand Rebs near Corinth. There has two long trains of cars gone towards Memphis. We think they have gone for troops to reinforce that point. We look for great victories now soon. They have [been] making great preparations for to do something this spring from what we can learn. I think now is the time for us to strike the death blow to this infernal rebellion. It looks to me as if we ever can do anything, it is at the present. I will have to stop for this evening.
This evening. I will continue. James Shrock has concluded to start home in the morning and I will send this with him as he and I have had some deal and he is owing me one hundred and twenty-five dollars. I will send his note to you for to collect for me when due and you will hold the money for me till further orders and by so doing, you will oblige me, your brother. Truly, — John W. Orendorff
P. S. Please ask no questions of soldiers where they get anything. Just say is there anymore where that come from. When the Rebs give us a good chance, we can’t resist. Keep cool, lay low, for ducks say nothing to nobody. But please write to me soon and give all the news you can & oblige your brother, — J. W. O.
TERMS
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