{"product_id":"1863-civil-war-usa-letter-ohio-to-111th-ovi-east-tennessee","title":"1863 Civil War USA letter Ohio to 111th OVI East Tennessee","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003e1863 Civil War letter from James Cleland in Lost Creek Ohio to his brother John, Orderly in Company B of the 111\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e Regiment of Ohio Voluntary Infantry, in action in East Tennessee.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eFrom a small farming area of Western Ohio, letter talks about crops, army recruitment, possible invasion from Canada (!), big fight in Tennessee, buying materiel for a uniform, etc..\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn W. Cleland\u003c\/strong\u003e was born to Arthur and Mary Cleland on June 8, 1843 in Ohio. He was one of four children: James (born about 1836), Mary J. (born about 1841), William (born about 1848), and Margaret (born about 1852). John Cleland enlisted in Company F of the 111th Ohio Infantry on September 5, 1862. He was promoted several times: to \u003cstrong\u003eFirst Sergeant on March 5, 1863\u003c\/strong\u003e, to Second Lieutenant on April 12, 1864, and to First Lieutenant on May 2, 1865. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eHis unit served in Kentucky, in East Tennessee (including the Battle of Knoxville), and in the Atlanta campaign.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003eCleland mustered out on June 27, 1865 in Salisbury, North Carolina. He returned to Ohio and married Celinda J. Hughes on May 16, 1867.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003ePre-stamped 3 cent envelope sent to :\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 36.0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(44, 86, 150);\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eArrowsmith O Nov 27\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 36.0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(44, 86, 150);\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eOrderly J.W. Cleland Co. B 111\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e Regt OVI\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eEast Tenn\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 36.0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(44, 86, 150);\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eCare of Capt. J.E. Hill\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArrowsmiths \u003c\/strong\u003eis a ghost town in Farmer Township, Defiance County, Ohio, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eA mill was operated by a Mr. Arrowsmith on Lost Creek until around 1846. A post office called Arrowsmiths was established in 1843 and remained in operation until 1866.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 36.0pt;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(50, 108, 195);\"\u003eNo 28\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 36.0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(50, 108, 195);\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eLost Creek Nov the 25\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e 1863\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 36.0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(50, 108, 195);\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eDear Brother it is now some time since I have wrote a letter to you. . Jennie has wrote two since I wrote I believe. I intended to write one to send with capt but I had such short notice and I was busy husking corn that I did not do it, I might have done it however he said he would. for he did not start for two or three days after. I suppose you find yourselves a \u003cstrong\u003egood deal stronger since them recruiting officers have got back and I suppose they found the people up here very much interested in having the war go on provided always that somebody else does the fighting \u003c\/strong\u003eand that there is no personal calls made. There have been two enlistments in this township since capt left Sam Seisco and G L Brown they started away last Monday we still have to make up thirteen yet.\u003cstrong\u003e I suppose the draft the fifth of January will get them\u003c\/strong\u003e. In regard to war news we are at a stand still some \u003cstrong\u003erumours of a big fight down in your neighbourhood in which Co. F was engaged\u003c\/strong\u003e but that is about all. \u003cstrong\u003eMead and Lee are advertised to run a weekly line from the Raphidar to Washington\u003c\/strong\u003e and viva versa. I suppose they can make it pay. The weather here still continues fine for the time of year it is cool but we have had but very little stormy weather yet. We got done husking corn some ten days ago our corn was rather poor but it was as good as any I have seen. We have about \u003cstrong\u003e1600 bushels of ears corn is worth from 79 to 100 per bushel\u003c\/strong\u003e according to quality. We \u003cstrong\u003esold our wool the other day for 79 cts per pound \u003c\/strong\u003eto Keck \u0026amp; Crall of Bryan. We had six hundred and five pounds. We had bargained it to Jas Fisher some six weeks ago for 71 cts but he never came after it so we sold it again for 75\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 36.0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(50, 108, 195);\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eWe have hired Jacob Musser for a year. He will commence work next week. Elisha Fadely is working here this week on his account. I hope we won’t be catched in the same fix next summer we were this.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 36.0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(50, 108, 195);\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eThursday the 26\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eFather is going down to the office this afternoon I will write a little more in this and send it along. You may not get for a month if letters don’t go there any faster than they come this way. We have not received any letters form you for about three weeks the last one you wrote at Nicholsville. The last letters that I have heard of from there are dated Nov\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003ethe 3\u003csup\u003erd\u003c\/sup\u003e. One of Curtis’s girls died night before last with consumption (sister to Chauncy Curtis). I believe I know of no sickness in the neighbourhood just now. \u003cstrong\u003eI suppose you have heard of the great scare on our northern shore. Valandigham (1) with one hundred and fifty thousand Canadians and rebel sympathisers was reported to be crossing the lake on a couple of little schooners with a view of playing smash with us\u003c\/strong\u003e but I have heard nothing of it for several days likely the rumor was premature. I was out at Bryan the other day and got stuff to make a uniform (so as to be ready for any such chaps). I paid five and a half for the cloth. The coat when finished will cost twenty dollars and fifty nine cts. This is making rather a costly business of it but I don’t want to hold the office unless I can trim up as well as any of them. It costs about sixty dollars to uniform in anything of decent styler. We have rented our saw mill this winter to a man from Columbiana co. His name is Bentley. He is going to live in Jas old house. I think he will have a hard time of it but he says he can do no better. I suppose CO. F got along in big style while Capt was home.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 36.0pt;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(50, 108, 195);\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eI believe I have nothing more to write this time\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eGood for the present your Brother \u003cstrong\u003eJames Cleland\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eOur folks are all well\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-left: 36.0pt;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003e(1)  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClement Laird Vallandigham\u003c\/strong\u003e was one of the most controversial political figures in Ohio during the American Civil War — a leading Copperhead, a fierce critic of Lincoln, and a symbol of Northern anti‑war dissent. His actions and arrest in 1863 shaped public fears across Ohio, including in counties like Defiance. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eIn May 1863, Vallandigham delivered a speech condemning the war and the Lincoln administration. Union General Ambrose Burnside had issued General Order No. 38, threatening arrest for anyone expressing sympathy for the Confederacy. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eL\u003cstrong\u003eincoln commuted his sentence but ordered him exiled to the Confederacy. Confederates didn’t want him either, so he eventually made his way to Canada, living in Windsor, Ontario, while continuing to influence Ohio politics from across the border.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn 1863, the 111th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI) served in East Tennessee\u003c\/strong\u003e as part of the 23rd Army Corps, joining the Union campaign to secure the region, including the critical Siege of Knoxville. The regiment was deeply involved in skirmishes along the Tennessee and Holston Rivers after arriving in Loudon in September 1863. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eKey 1863 Actions for the 111th Ohio in East Tennessee:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eArrival \u0026amp; Duty:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003e The regiment, organized in Toledo, OH, moved to Kentucky and then into Tennessee, arriving at Loudon on September 4, 1863.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eKnoxville Campaign:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003e They participated in the movement to secure East Tennessee, including the Knoxville Campaign.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eActions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003e The regiment engaged in forced marches, scouts, and skirmishes along the Tennessee and Holston Rivers to counter Confederate forces, specifically dealing with the threats to the region.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003eSiege of Knoxville:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003e The 111th OVI was present and suffered during the crucial Siege of Knoxville late in 1863. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe 111th Ohio was part of the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 23rd Army Corps for most of 1863.\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chadbourne Antiques \u0026 Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50110439915766,"sku":"CA-5831","price":185.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0947\/7290\/files\/IMG_4280rsz.jpg?v=1773535056","url":"https:\/\/chadbourneantique.com\/products\/1863-civil-war-usa-letter-ohio-to-111th-ovi-east-tennessee","provider":"Chadbourne Antiques \u0026 Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}