Individual Details
James William "Will" Prouty
(10 May 1843 - 30 Mar 1915)
Will's young parents were married in Athens County Ohio during 1840. There Will was born in the spring of 1843. The following year his parents moved with their baby son to Bond Co., Illinois. Two more sisters were added to the family while in Illinois, though one sister only lasted a few months. In 1848, four years later, the family moved again to Wisconsin. Another sister was born in Wisconsin during 1850. Sadly, during the spring of 1851 his mother Esther died and the youngest baby followed her that August. Will's father placed him and his sister, the two remaining children, in the care of their maternal uncle William Watkins who lived in Pocahontas, Illinois. James William "Will" was about eight years old and his sister Cecilia about four. Their father, Austin, left for Iowa with his brother Adolphus Prouty where they became early settlers of Story Co. Austin soon remarried to Miss Esther Marman in 1855 and had another large family, eventually moving to the state of Washington. Alice Vaughn remembered being told that
"James William moved from Ohio to Illinois when he was a small boy. His mother died when he was very young and he had no memory of her. He was reared by one of his mother's brothers and his wife until he enlisted. He died March 30, 1915, and is buried in the Blackwater Church Cemetery in Kemper."
Since Uncle William and his wife Martha never had any children of their own they agreed to raise two nephews and a niece. Besides Will and Cecilia, children of Uncle William's sister Esther, his other sister Elizabeth had also died living one child, William A. Kelsoe. Will, his sister Cecilia, and his cousin William were brought up together by their Aunt and Uncle in Bond Co., Illinois. In a letter written by Thomas H. Blakemore to his cousin Maud, Thomas said that,
"Uncle William married a lady named Martha. Both are deceased and without issue. Uncle William was sheriff of Bond County, Illinois for a number of years and lived in Greenville. He afterwards moved to Vandalia and erected what is still called the Watkins Block and ran a tavern there. Here Mathias Watkins (our grandfather) spent his last days and his remains are interred there."
William A. Kelsoe grew up to be a journalist. He wrote several articles about his family that describes his early years and cousin Will Prouty. In "W.A.Kelsoe Gives Reminiscences of Early History of Pocahontas" ( The Greenville Advocate Sept. 19, 1921) he says,
"On the north side of the open ground now called the Pocahontas Public Square were two stores in the fifties (1850's). The other store on the north side, now called the Brown store, was kept originally by William Watkins, my mother's brother. The building was erected about 1853 and a little later the second story was used for several months, perhaps longer, as a residence by the Watkins family. Mrs. Watkins, a sister of Arnold Greenwood, had the care of William and Cecilia Prouty, children of my mother's sister Esther Watkins Prouty, and from the Watkins farm south of Pocahontas in November 1860."
In "Pioneer Resident Writes of Early Pocahontas" ( Pocahontas News Patriot Sept. 12, 1930) W.A. Kelsoe wrote,
"... a public exhibition given by the Pocahontas Public School seventy years ago ... held in the M.E. church, then on the public square. I had a seat in the audience. On the stage Powahtan was represented by Will Prouty, with whom I lived in the family of William Watkins, brother of Prouty's mother and my mother. ... In Pocahontas this Union soldier, a member of a Chicago regiment, the 65th Illinois Infantry, was well known to all, young and old. He was named for William Watkins, as I was, and his name James was in honor of a cousin in Ohio, his native state, but at school and at home, as elsewhere, he was always called Will Prouty. He lived with the Watkins family from the spring of 1851 until recruited for the army early in 1862 with about a dozen other Bond county boys, mostly living in Greenville by an officer (a Greenville man of the Philip's family) of Chicago's Scotch regiment. Before that he had seen service in 1861 in the Greenville band after it became a military band at Springfield, Ill. Prouty's last year in school was in the winter of 1861-2 at Greenville, where he starred at a Public school exhibition with Sylvester Wheeler in a very amusing farce. He was also a member of the dramatic club."
William Kelsoe was able to get Will Prouty to write his remembrances of being in a band in Greenville Illinois for one article. In “Tells of Bands Early Days” (The Pocahontas (Illinois) News Patriot, Sept 12, 1930) Kelsoe wrote,
J.W. Prouty, new deceased, of Daleville, Miss, says in a letter received several weeks before his death; "I see in The Advocate that Ward Reid is going to write up the old bands of Greenville. The Farmers and Mechanics' Cornet Band, as I now recall it, consisted of Rob Phillips, leader, who played e-flat; J.W. Prouty, b-flat solo; Lee Phillips, baritone; Wyatt Causey, b-flat bass; Lyman Fuller, e-flat bass tuba; C.D. Sprague, bass drum and cymbals. In the early summer of 1861 we enlisted as a band, went to Springfield, Ill., and were at Camp yates three months. There we were known as Adjutant General Fuller's staff band. We played for dress parade for U.S. Grant's regiment and were his escort when he started off with the regiment for the front. He did not go down town and take the cars, but loaded his wagons in camp and started west with them, going down the public road, the band escorting him to the gate. "Near the close of our service, our leader, Rob Phillips got sick and went home. The rest of us followed a little later and we got back to Greenville just in time to bury him. Part of the band soon left Greenville again, this time going to the front. When the Bond County Fair was held that fall the few of us still in Greenville played for it, and that was the last time the Farmers and Mechanics' Cornet Band appeared in public. Before the end of winter nearly all the members had enlisted as soldiers in the Union army. In the spring C.D. Sprague and I went to Camp Douglas, Chicago, and joined the 65th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, called the Scotch regiment, and I believe that Charley and I are the only members of the old Greenville band of 1861 now living, if he is still alive. Fielding and Joe Phillips were killed in battle, and Fuller, who was wounded in battle and carried a grapeshot in his lung for a long time, died at home. I don't know what became of the rest, but I have heard that they are all dead."
The outbreak of the Civil War ended Will's life in Illinois. On April 1 1862 Will enlisted for three years service as a private in the Sixty-Fifth Regiment Illinois Infantry. His enlistment record says he was 18 years of age, 5' 8” tall, with blue eyes and a fair complexion. He claimed residency at Mulberry Grove Illinois, and that he was a single laborer. He mustered in May 15, 1862 in Chicago at Camp Douglas Will lasted through his full service and was mustered out at Greensboro, North Carolina on 13 July 1865. Aline (Prouty) Vaughn told me, "..he enlisted in the Union Army as a Drummer Boy in Captain Galen Clapps Company. He was engaged in a number of battles, "Antietam" being one of the more famous."
The Adjutant General's Report of the 65th Illinois Infantry Regiment history outlines events that must have changed young music loving Will dramatically during the course of the bloody Civil War.
“The Sixty-Fifth Regiment Illinois Infantry Volunteers, Known as the "Scotch Regiment" was organized at Camp Douglas, Chicago, Ill., in the spring of 1862, by Colonel Daniel Cameron, Jr., and mustered into United States' service May 1, 1862.
The Regiment was ordered to Martinsburg, Va., and, on its arrival, was brigaded with the Hundred and Twenty-fifth New York and Batter M, Second Illinois Artillery, under command of Colonel Miles. When Colonel Miles surrendered at Harper's Ferry, the Sixty-fifth were made prisoners by the enemy. On the succeeding day, the Regiment was paroled and sent to Chicago, where it remained until April, 1863, when, being exchanged, moved April 19 and joined the Eastern Kentucky Army, serving in that campaign, and returning, via Cincinnati, to Camp Nelson, Ky., was sent to Knoxville, Tenn., under General Burnside, where it was assigned to Second Brigade, Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps.
Served during the campaigns in East Tennessee, taking part in the battles of November 28 and 29, in the defense of Knoxville. The enemy, under Longstreet was repulsed, with great loss. Shortly afterward, General Burnside was relieved by General Schofield.
After a severe winter campaign, the Sixty-fifth re-enlisted, as a veteran organization, and went home on furlough, in March 1864, with over 400 men. When the veterans furlough had expired, the Regiment joined General Sherman's Army, 25 miles below Kingston, Ga. The Second Brigade was now composed of the Twenty-fourth Kentucky, One Hundred and Third Ohio, Sixty-fifth Indiana and Sixty-fifth Illinois, commanded by Colonel Cameron of the Sixty-fifth, General J.D. Cox commanding the Third Division.
June 15, 1864, a general advance of Sherman's Army being made, the Sixty-fifth, on the right of the Twenty-third Corps, was brought into a sharp engagement with the enemy, between Kenesaw and Lost Mountains. The enemy fell back, and, on the following day, the Sixty-fifth Illinois occupied their works. Lively skirmishing was continued on the 17th 18th and 19th, and on the 20th, the advance was checked by a deep and almost impassable creek - the enemy disputing the passage of the only bridge with artillery and infantry. Volunteers being called for, about 50 men of the Sixty-fifth Illinois stepped forward and charged across the bridge, driving back the enemy, and holding the position until the remainder of the regiment crossed. During July and August, was engaged in numerous skirmishes. Some of them (as on July 19 and August 6) were quite severe. On the 18th August, Captain Duquid, with four companies, drove a superior force over two miles.
August 26, with 15 days rations, engaged in the successful movement south of Atlanta, driving the enemy from Rough-and-Ready Status, and destroying the railroad; and thence to Jonesboro, participating in that battle. From thence moved to Decatur, and went into camp, September 9.
October 5, marched in pursuit of Hood to Rome, Kingston, Rezaca, Altoona and Gaylesville, Ala. - back to Rome and Dalton, where it arrived, 129th. From Dalton moved by rail, to Nashville, November 7th.
From Nashville, the Regiment moved to Pulaski, Tenn., and, on 22nd November was forced back to Columbia, by Hood. November 25 and 26, was severely engaged in Columbia, losing 3 officers and 50 men, killed and wounded. November 30, the "Scotch Regiment" was engaged at Franklin. More than 200 dead and wounded rebels covered the ground in font of the Sixty-fifth, and it captured the colors of the Fifteenth Mississippi Infantry. During the night, it fell back to Nashville.
December 15 and 16, participated in the battle of Nashville, and afterward pursued the retreating enemy to Clifton, Tenn., where the Regiment remained until January 15, 1865. Moved, by boat, to Cincinnati; thence by rail, to Washington and Annapolis, and embarked February 2, for Wilmington, N.C. Landed at Federal Point, 7th, and was engaged in the heavy skirmishes there. 16th, crossed the Cape Fear River, and , 18th, flanked the enemy out of Fort Anderson. 20th, fought the enemy at Smithtown Creek, capturing 3 pieces of artillery and 350 men. February 23, Wilmington fell.
March 6, 1865, broke camp, and moved to Kinston. From this place, the first five companies, except veterans, were sent to Chicago, under Captain Duquid for mustering-out.
Marched to Goldsboro, N.C., and thence to Raleigh, where it remained until the surrender of Johnson's Army. From Raleigh the non-veterans moved to Greensboro, N.C. and went into permanent camp.
May 1, four new companies of recruits joined the Regiment. In June, 4 officers and 250 men were assigned to the Regiment from the Ninety-second Illinois; 2 officers and 120 men from the One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois and 25 men from the One Hundred and Seventh Illinois. Lieutenant Colonel Stewart was mustered as Colonel.
July 13, 1865, the Regiment was mustered out, and started home, arriving at Chicago, July 22, and received final payment and discharge July 26, 1865.
May 31, 1865, According to orders from War Department, the veterans and recruits whose terms of service have not expired, Companies A, D, G, H and K, are consolidated under letter H. Companies C, E, F and I are consolidated under Letter K. Company B retains its original letter, and is filled to the maximum number with drafted men, assigned to the Regiment by the War Department.”
In the article “Will Prouty Tells War Reminiscences” by W.A. Kelsoe of St. Louis, Will gives an account of how he met his Uncles Cy and Wallace Watkins near the end of war in North Carolina,
:
"When I asked Will Prouty, now, and for many years, a resident of Daleville, Miss., to write you a story for the big Centennial edition of The Advocate, he could think of nothing to write about, but he sent me a brief account of some of his North Carolina experiences near the close of the Civil War that will be acceptable, I am sure, coming as it does from a Bond county soldier who lived in Greenville before and during the first year of that war. The Bond county boys in the 65th Illinois Infantry were J. T. Buchanan, Peter Ehrstein, H.H. Frampton, William Haeney, William Sanders, D.D. Sprahue, William Tate and Thomas K. White. Ehrstein was the drummer of their company and Prouty the bugler. Dudley Sprague was orderly sergeant; Charley, third sergeant; and O'Sullivan, a corporal. In addition to "bugling" Prouty had other duties at times, one of them being picket service, and it was while he was at an outpost serving as vidette that he had the interesting experience related in his letter. Let Prouty tell the story in his own expressive way:" - "It happened to be myself who was on vidette north of Wilmington, N.C., when a lot of our boys who had been released from a Rebel prison, arrived. As I was standing at my post in advance of our lines I saw a rough looking crowd coming towards me. They had no flags and looked like Johnnies, but I could see they were headed by a few blue-coated officers, so I did not shoot, yell, or run but just stood there and watched the outfit. I guess about 2,000 had marched past when I heard a familiar voice yell out, "My God, there's Prouty!" and a grey-dressed chap ran out of the ranks and embraced me. Then here came another and what those poor fellows did to me was a plenty. They were Will Grady and Jack McClusky, Company I boys, who had been captured in East Tennessee. A short time after that I was standing vidette near Goldsboro, N.C. Hardee had been around there trying to do things, but had failed. I was on the advance post, watching the road when a lot of horsemen came in sight. I knew none of our bunch was out there and began to think they were Confederate cavalry, when I saw they were dressed in blue and felt much relieved. Then I began to suspect it was General Sherman's army all the way from Georgia. When the first officer got up even with me and one asked what command I belonged to, I answered "Schofield's Finkers'. They gave a yell and rode away, feeling mighty good. Soon a bunch came along that specially attracted my attention. I saw by their flags that they were the Twentieth Corps and I began to get interested. I wanted to find our Uncles Cy and Wallace Watkins. Their brigade, the 5th Ohio, soon came along and when they got even with me, I called "Cy Watkins". About a dozen took up the cry and right away Cy came scrambling up the bank and wanted to know who I was. When I told him he yelled for Wallace. So there and then I met Uncles Cy and Wallace for the first time and I was the first one to welcome Sherman's army at Goldsboro on their now famous and historic march from Atlanta to the sea."
Getting mail from home was always eagerly anticipated by soldiers, Will was no exception. From these surviving letters we can get an idea of life back home during the war. The letters were from his father Austin, sister Cecilia, .Aunt Mollie (Watkins) Rambo, and a friend Mattie Shideler.
Camp near New Iberia Louisana
Nov. the 2cd AD 1863
My dear son,
your long looked for letter came to hand at last you stated that you wrote to me from Chicago I received one from you mailed at Chicago giving an account of your being taken prisoner at harpers ferry and I answered it right a way and have wrote two or three since but could here nothing from you so I gave up righting I wrote to Cecillia but could get no word from her I was in the hospital at St Louis one month and wrote three letters to her but could get no answer from her I would ? went out to see her but I had no money and I could get no furlough so I had to return to my regiment without seeing her I suppose you have heard before this of our exployts around Vicksburg I was in three hard fights there the battles of Port Gipson Champun hill and milikins bend I was not in the charge at black River being
sick at the time but I took a hand in the seage at Vicksburg and was there on the forth of July when Pemberton surrenderd and a few dayes after the surrender I took sick and was sent to St Louis to the Lawson hospital I was a way from the regiment two months and while I was a way the regiment was ordered to New Orleans from there they came to Brashure City on Brashure Bay 18 miles from the Gulf of mexico where I found them ninty miles from New Orleans we lay there a few days and then started up this direction not knowing where we were bound for we marched up the Atchapala River we had an idea we were a going through to red river and up it to Schrieves Port and then through texas to galveston we march four days then lay by a few days then we marched on up to Opelousas where we stayed a few days then was orded back to this place which is one hundred and fifty miles from Orleans Opelusas is two hundred miles from
Orleans the opinion is now that we will go back to Orleans and from there no one knows without we go back up the river the governer of texas has been in orleans making speaches in which he offers to bring texas back into the union and rais twelve thousand troops for twelve months to protect that state if banks will not invade that state and it is my opinion that is the cause of our being orded back that the raid into texas is a bandoned we may go up the river and we may go to mobela there is no knowing where yet if the eastern armeys would clean them out as compleat as the western armey has the war would soon close I understand that your uncle William Watkins is rank Copperhead I truly hope that you my dear son have none of the tratorus sentiments in you I want you to be a chip from the old block your grate grand father (my grand father on my mothers side) was seven years in the war of the revelution he fought to gain
our countrys independence your grandfather Prouty (my father) fought in the last war with england to maintain our independence and now your father and your uncle Adolphus Prouty (my only brother) and your self my dear son all of the name that is of sufficient age to be is in the army trying to preserve our glores union now my brave boy be true to your Country be brave but not rash shun all eavle vices be saving of your money but not stingey put your trust in God who rules the destinees nations and of all man kind pray to him continuley to protect you through this fire trial that you may return safe to your friends once more I hope that we may both live and have the pleasure of meating once more on earth I wrote an answer to your letter several day back but for fear it would not get it I concluded to right a nother and it may be that you will get one or both of them
may the lord bless and protect you my son is the prayer of your affectionate father
Austin Prouty
Vandalia April 27th
Dear Brother
I received your letter about two weeks ago you ask me a question which I must say surprised me a great deal.
I did write to Ella as you wished and waited to get a letter from her before I answered your because I wanted to see if there was any change in her I do not think there is as much as there ought to be. I could easily overlook that one great error in her life if she was all right in every thing else but if she is the same girl she was in G....... I cannot say
that I would like her for a sister because I do not think that she would make you a good wife you know that you have your own living to make and i do not think that Ella would prove a good helpmate if you were comming into posession of a large amount of property if would do better. I suppose you understand that I mean she would not prove a good housekeeper she is decidelly to giddy if I could see you face to face and speak on this subject I could tell you things that I cannot write very well. I suppose you know how essential it is to a mans happiness to have a good housekeeper for a wife and I think to much of my only brother to see him wedded to a poor one. But if you love Ella and she loves you and you want her take her and never by word or deed of mine shall she know that I disapprove of it I will give her a sisters welcome
and treat her as a sister.
I told Aunt that you was writing to her and she was very much surprised but all she said was, I hope he won't marry her. I do not know yet what they will do with me this fall they never mention this subject if I ask Aunt all the answer I get is , I dont know, I guess when your Father comes your Uncle will give you up to him. I would give almost anything to get to go to school about two years more but Aunt says that my school days are over so I suppose i must give up that thought. I dont know how I can correspond with Ella because Aunt would not be willing for me to and I cannot send a letter without her knowledge as she will not let me have stamps to myself I have to go to her for every one I get and she always askes who
I have been writing too and if she does not like it she will not give me any I got a stamp from Uncle for the ones I did write and he asked me no questions. I got a letter from Julia not long ago she promised to send me her Photo if I would send mine to her so did Aunt Louise and John but I have none and can get none taken for the simple reason that Aunt wont give me the money I wrote to Father for the money and he promised it but it has been almost a year now and it has not come yet. he wanted my Photo and I told him ti send me the money and he might have it. I wrote to you some time ago in answer to the one you sent Fathers letter in have you received it? I think that we have a whole host of relations I wonder what kind of folks they
are i should like to see them all would not you? Oh Will I wish you was here I do hate Vandalia so bad . I can not like it and there is no use in trying if you was here I might be better contented but here I am a stranger among strangers I have been here 10 Months and am not acquainted with any one yet Searuly. Where is Father now? if _ I would write to him again perhaps he did not get my last letter. I have not heard from Greenville for some time so I know nothing new.
I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you this fall a discharged soldier is there any prospect of it. how did you like to have Sherman supareeded I have writin quite a long letter for me so I will have to close hoping you will hasten to answer it and give me a long one in return.
your sister
Mandia sends a kiss C.M.P.
Vandalia May 14th
Dear Brother,
I received your letter of the 28th tonight and one writen on the 18th of April about a week ago and shall answer both in one.
I hope you will have a pleasant visit when ou go to Ohio.
I received a letter from Father the other day the first I have had for six months he tells me that if he has to go back to Iowa to be mustered out that it is very doubtful whether he will come to see me or not if he does not I
will think that he does not care very much for us not to see us in 10 and 11 years one might as well have no Father. I would like to go to Ohio on a visit myself if I could only get the means Aunt Lou invites every letter but I suppose I will have to stay at home as usual.
You spoke of Raleigh as being a very pretty city do you suppose I know anything about a city if you do you are very much mistaken for the largest city I ever saw is V--- and I never was on the cars in my life just think of it almost 18 years old and never was 90 miles from home yet. I suppose you have got my other letter by this time I am very glad that you did not mean what you wrote about E--- for she is not the kind of a woman for my brother to marry I must confess that you did fright
me when I read it. I sent that Photo to E. Cearnell and received yours she said that she was going to be married in two months to a Vet Soldier. I wish I could coax Aunt to let me get my Photo's taken there is so many that want it but she cannot see the sese of it cousin Julia wrote to me saying that she would send me hers if I would send mine and I have not answered the letter yet I have been waiting in hopes that I could coax her to let me have them taken but the answer is no it costs to much. I wish there was no such a thing as money for that is continually thrown in my face. It is "why Ceill you cannot expect to dress as though you was our own daughter" I cannot see why for my part this is the only home I have ever
known and they are the only parents and I am the only one they have to dress besides themselves Willie has money enough to support himself but you know all about it you had a taste of it yourself once while Aunt thought that Father was coming this fall she was as good as pie but as soon as I get that letter saying that he could not come it is right the other way I can do nothing to suit her the reason was that the prospect of sending me off with him made her feel rather kindly towards me She often says that she wishes I was away somewhere so that she would not have me to support she wants me to get married so bad that she dont know what to do but I shall not do it untill I find a man to suit me uncle would do a great deal more for me if she would let him he will not let me start out and earn my own living so here I am mercy knows what I will do this
fall when they break up housekeeping but let Aunt do what she will Uncle nisld not drive me off whith out providing me with a home. I wish you was here just to see some things but my popear is built
CMP
C.C.B.C.O. Jan. 4th 1865
Mr.. 'Will" Prouty
Soldier Friend, This beautiful afternoon finds me penning a few scattering thoughts in response to your little white dove messenger. which I was the happy recipient of several weeks ago and I assure you it was met with a warm reception and the contents were pursued with the highest feelings of gratification. I should have replied to your kind missive ere this but have been absent from home the greater part of the time since I received
it. I hope my friends good judgment and forgiving spirit will have compassion on my seeming neglect and I assure you I'll endeavor to be more punctual in the future. By the way friend, how did you spend your holy-days. "I hope" you spent them pleasantly. No doubt but your thoughts floated on pission wings to that (Northern home and friends far away.) and wandered home-ward to that land where unnumbered pleasures, delightful scenes, and happy associations all united to make the path of life agreeable and existence a blessing, but which you as Soldiers have now sacrificed on the altar of country as you thought and in the bitterness of your hearts you exclaim, oh, America, America that we must endure all this, and suffer so much, all forsooth that the ambitious few might appease
their wanton appetites for plunder and quench that fiendish thirst for human blood and it brought to memory ten thousand blessings which you are now deprived of and betrayed before your visions days of happiness and nights of pleasure, but which you are now doomed to pass your days in discomfort and your nights in misery. no doubt. the Soldiers midnight dreams often wander far to their northern homes and fain would the vision transport them to the land they love and the home they reverence, But alas for the storm of madness which reigns in the hearts of men says no, and the echo says no, no, and the sound dies in the distant. I passed my holy-days very pleasantly but oh how often did my thoughts wander to my Soldier friends and often did I wish that they
could be with me to participate in our pleasures, but alas it was a vain wish it could not be. friend Will I fear I shall make a grand failure in the attempt of giving you an interesting letter in return for yours, as, I am a very poor correspondent, and I presume you will not be long in ascertaining that, But nevertheless, I'll endeavor to do my best through my ignorance and incapability and if I fail I shall fall at your feet and plead impassible. You wished to know what for styled letters I fancied. Love letters is something I know nothing about as I never received any of them and have never written any. Therefore letters of fun and friends ship are my style. I don't know as I shall ever be able to
say any-thing very interesting or funny, but nevertheless, I'll enjoy perusing your interesting epistles. How is your friend Charlie getting along. I saw his friend Annie yesterday. she was looking as handsome as could be. I am positive if Charley could only see Annie's beautiful black eyes and those handsome black curls which flow over a head of such fine proportion he would be perfectly charmed with her. Annie is a dear good girl, and is loved and respected by all who know her. I dearly love her as an only sister. How I should love to see my soldier friend this beautiful evening when you had no thoughts of seeing me. wouldn't it be grand to take a birds eye view of you. Yes indeed I guess it would and the very idea carries me to your bunk I am
sure those flannel coats are quite becoming, and them fancy little caps which encircle those many lovely curls does not quite hide the features of noble faces, noble I say and I mean it too, but I must not commend you to highly on an ideal peep for fear you will take the praise for heartless flattery, which you may not know I greatly and admirably detest. You Soldiers can consider your selves exalted somebodies and we at home will consider ourselves self-inflated nobodys. Indeed Will I feel sorry indeed that you have been so unfortunate with your correspondence I hope you will be more successful in the future. You spoke in your letter of exchanging Photos. I would
be very happy indeed to exchange as I always feel highly honored to receive a Soldiers Photo. but the rules of etiquette will not permit of me sending mine first. but if you will send me yours I'll immediately
forward you mine. I shall bring this uninteresting letter to a close as I presume your patience has already been tested to a great extent by my uninteresting remarks. My compliments to your friend Charlie I shall be very happy to hear from you soon if you deem this worthy a reply.
Yours with Respect,
Mattie J. Shideler
Feb 22nd 1865
Box 31 College Corner Ohio
C.C.B.C.O.
Shideler House Gravel
Mr. "Will" Prouty
Soldier friend, just imagine me sitting in my little room near the front window not quite asleep but with the aid of a few nonsensical ideas a brass pen and wooden handle" a black noggin blue eyes and a long tongue and with a close observation of my charming self you have a perfect representation of this Angel ! isn't she fascinating ! Yes indeed I think she is ! Well Willie your little white dove messenger was received a few days ago, and if I tell you that it has been read and reread quite a number of times it __ I telling you no story your letter was very interesting indeed. I had
almost come to the conclusion that you were not going to reply to my uninteresting letter but at last my plies were greeted with a kind letter from you and soon I was found perusing the content with the utmost pleasure. I saw friend Annie last Sabbath week she was here and spent the day with me. she was looking sweeter than usual, Annie received a letter from her friend Charlie last week he (Charlie) was at Louisville at the time he wrote Willie you can imagine that Annie and I had a pleasant time together on last Sabbath week, but amidst all of our pleasures we did not forget to think of our absent friends, Willie and Charlie and often did we speak of them and wonder how they were spending the day. Annie sends her compliments to you. By the way I received your Photo and think it very handsome indeed. I thank you very much indeed for sending it, I shall very highly prize it and every time I gaze upon it I will impress a kiss upon those sweet lips (Oh! excuse me) Charlie you spoke of seeing a gentleman in the 181st rgt. that knew Annie and I do you recollect his name? we cannot imagine who it could be, we were not aware that we had any acquaintances in that regt, no doubt but the gent gave a brilliant description of us,
Oh! Charlie I must not forget to tell you of an adventure trip I had yesterday in order to see one of my darling lady friends you will remember how remarkably bright the sun shone in the morning I never once thought of the miserable road, I had gone but a short distance when I came to a place in appearance muddy and treacherous, but in I plunged, but midway stuck fast, emerging from the desperate mud-hole I pursued my way some time - along the narrow track in the checkered sun-shine and shadows of the woods till at length issuing forth into the broad road and down "kersplash" I went, and I doubt whether "Painters," Poets and novelists have ever penetrated farther to the other regions than I did this morning a little farther along and a false step involved one shoe in a catastrophe desperate My perseverance was at last rewarded I reached my friends house still alive, and how do you think I was repaid for the trouble my trip caused me? why, by meeting then a Soldier friend whom I had not seen for three years, a fair compensation wasn't it? And so Valentines day has come and passed, I wonder if friend Charlie received any (Valentines). no doubt but what he did, I received several very nice ones. Willie I presume I shall
have to break my promise in not sending you my Photo. I have none by me at present and as their is no artist here at present I have no opportunity of having any taken but rest assured I shall send you one soon I'm going to Onferd in a few days and will have some taken and shall send you one immediately. Annie intends sending Charlie her Photo some-time soon I wonder how Willie is spending this evening? I hope he is spending it pleasantly. Willie in looking over this letter I noticed several places where I have called you Charlie I hope you will pardon the mistake I cant imagine how I came to make such a mistake their has a gentleman called I presume I shall have to go down and entertain him you may imagine me spreading on the French "Airs" Oh! but wont I say sweet things to him yes indeed I guess I shall, Willie please pardon this uninteresting letter. I shall endeavor to write a more lengthy and interesting letter next time hoping to hear from you soon if you deem this worthy a reply my love to Charlie and reserve a portion for yourself it you prefer Your friend Mattie So here I go to entertain the gent A friend of the Soldier by
Mattie C Shideler
Box 31 C.C.B.C.O.
April the 18 1865
Dear Nephew
I received your letter and was very glad to get one from you although I was not looking for one from you I knew their was such a person for I have had three letters from your sister Cecilia. I had just got one from her you say you was here in the City not long ago I would have liked to have seen you very much and I want you to come and see us if you live to get back and I hope it wont be very long before you can all come home again for I don't think this war can last much longer . I am looking for your Uncle and sister out here soon she wrote that she was coming this Spring I wish she would for I should like to see you all and don't you forget to come for I want to see wether you are good looking or not as you say you are not for I am a good judge of beauty
Willie if you see Brother Willie ? give them our love and tell them to write home I have not had a letter from Bills since in Nov and I am afraid their has something happened to him if you saw him be sure and let me know in your next letter for I feel very uneasy about him and Cyrus would not let me know if anything had happened to him I don't think and I would rather know it than to be kept in suspense now don't fail to let me know about him you will have to excuse Frank for not writing for he is kept so close at work excuse all mistakes and bad writing now good by till I hear from you
your Aunt Mollie Rambo --
C.C.B.C.O. May 8th 1865 Shideler House Gravels Street
Mr. W. Prouty
Friend Willie This beautiful afternoon I shall endeavor to hold a short communion with thee not verbally as desired but through the silent medium of the pen. Oh, how I should Love to see friends Willie & Charlie this afternoon with one of their pleasantest smiles on. Shs I fancy I see them now, Your kind letter dated March 22nd was received some two weeks ago and I assure you it was met with a welcome reception, I sincerely hope you will pardon my negligence for not replying ere this, I should have replied sooner but have been absent from home ever since I received your kind missive, I have been visiting some friends in Indiana and just returned home last Saturday and upon my arrival here I found no less than a dozen letters
awaiting my return and among the number I found one from friend Willie and soon I was eagerly found perusing its contents. I saw friend Annie passing here a few moments ago, she was looking as sweet as a peach I'm expecting her here after while, and wont we have a gay time though, talking of our friends Charlie & Willie! By the way Willie, I hope you will not think hard of me for not sending you my Photo." I had a negative taken for some on last Saturday, and they will have them finished sometime this week, and I'll send you one in my next letter. I know you will admire it for they are perfectly beautiful has Annie sent her Photo" to Charlie yet? I presume you and Charlie will soon come to the conclusion that Annie and I are not very punctual in fulfilling promises, I assure you Will, I shall certainly fulfill my promise in my next. Annie & I shall look for you and Charlie to pay us a visit when you return home, I have a darling brother in the army and we are expecting him home now everyday. He belongs to the 93rd Ohio Its reported here that all Soldiers whose time is very near to expire are to be sent home immediately I sincerely hope the report is true, for I am anxious to see the Soldiers return, But Oh! how may
yes very may who will never return. Oh! it is horrible to think of the thousand brave youths who have gone forth and sacrificed their lives in behalf of our noble Country as it is called, I shall have to stop writing for the present as their has been company announced and I shall have to go and entertain them, So here I go! Monday evening Well Willie I shall now endeavor to finish my poorly commenced letter. No doubt but your patience is already wearied to a great extent by my nonsense but nevertheless I'm going to test your good nature a little while longer friend Annie called to see me this afternoon she was looking most beautiful she received a letter from Charlie a few days ago she intends sending Charlie her Photo" in her next letter. no doubt but what Charlie will be perfectly charmed with it I have a lady cousin visiting me at present from near Dayton she has taken quite a fancy to your picture she says she thinks its perfectly beautiful. I shall have to bring this uninteresting letter to a close, as I have a severe headache and don't feel at all like writing, I hope you will pardon
a poor letter this time I shall endeavor to do better in the future. My compliments to Charlie, I shall be happy to hear from you soon again if you deem this worthy a reply, Your friend Mattie Shideler
College Corner, Ohio
Cousin Annie Shideler sends her compliments to you.
(The next two letters aren't signed, the first appears to be from a first cousin - --- Phillips, daughter of Job and Louisa (Prouty) Phillips.)
Forest Hardin Co. Ohio May 21st 1865
Dear Cousin
I sit down to write a few lines to you this pleasant afternoon but is very warm, I expect it is very warm down there where you are now, we received your kind letter a few days a go and was glad to hear from you and was glad to hear that you was coming to see us as soon as you got out of the army, and that young man that you spoke a bout coming we will be very glad to see him to and trust that you will soon have the privilege of coming, I know I will know you when I see you a coming for I am sure you will look just like you did the last time I saw you don't you think you do, we have lots of company
to day, and some has gone home and there is some here yet, well Will a bout your Fanes suit I am a fraid I would have my trouble for nothing for I expect after I got your suit ready you would feel to big to wear them but just you wait if I live long enough I will make you a suit of Fanes some day and then we will see wether you will wear it or not, well I cannot think of any more to write at present so I will close at those few remarks good bye Well Will I will set down to write a few lines more as I have just come from a walk. I had a very pleasant time I went to my Cousins that lives a bout a mile from here and stayed a few minutes and then came back to Mrs Aluys on my Cousins place and stayed a little while and then came to Mrs Gillilands a bout a half mile from here and there I found one of our
soldiers friends and an other young man & three young ladies that was there to spend the afternoon and we had a very pleasant time and I wish you had of been a long for I know you would of enjoyed your self you wrote in one of your letters and wanted to know who Augustus was wether it was a town know it is my brother he lives on our farm and so does Amanda or Lennie as you call her, so you can see that there is pretty near a town here, I hope it will be nice weather when you come here an that you can have a nice time I have as idea that you are a lively chap but I may be mistaken but I trust not for I love to see a person real lively for it always does me so much good than to see a person so still that they can hardly say a word, there was a party down
to my brother Augustus last Thursday eve and we had a very nice time it rained so that we could not come home until four o clock and there was one couple that sat up until day light how is it with you do you ever attend a party or do you not care a bout parties, well I guess I will not write much more this time but will wait until you come home or here and then I will tell you the rest, it seems as though I have always been acquainted with you and that you always lived a round here but I expect you think that I am very much mistaken do you not Coz, well I will quit my scribbling for the present hoping soon to see or hear from you I close good bye & give my respects to your friend Charley and tell him that he must not give up coming out here with you and now you must not give up coming for we will look for you, write soon
An Acrostick,
Let not your fears be very great
On the married, or single state
Very much I love you dear
Enough, to wait for you one year,
Let that pass by with speed of time
You'l then return and make me thine
In case you fail, and not return
Some others heart, will for me burn
And will make, a husband, dear
Believe me sir, I'll shed no tear.
Enough this time, so now good bye,
Laugh you may, but I'll not cry
(This next letter appears to be written by Aunt Louisa (Prouty) Phillips.)
Well, Will, as I am alone to day only Josephine as she has the chill & fever & is a bed, so I am lonesome & I picked up the slate & wrote some nonsense, & then I thought I would write it on paper, & may be send
it to you, some time, Lib & Lovey has been making me compose aerosticks on their names & others to suit them, & I thought I would try my hand at one on yours, or Loveys to pass away the time, Lovey was here all last week, working for me, & she staid yesterday & to day so to get ready to go to a great party that is to be at Thomas Clarks this evening, Julia came home yesterday, as I found out I could not get along without some one & I thought it did not pay to hire a girl, & let her work out, they may get some one else- I feel much better to day than I have since you left here, but I am not able to do all my work Josephine has the chill & fever
& is not able to do any thing, They had a nice time down to the basket meeting, they say. I was not there, & there was a young man came home with the girls, & he staid until most day, with one of them, but I must not say which, well the girls has all been down to Leroys, this afternoon he raised a stable & the girls went to help Amanda kook, evening & alone excepting Jose as she is in bed, the young folks has all gone to the party, Mr Wilson took Lovey, & Mr Die, Julia, & Mr. Gilliland, Lib, Adolphus & Geremiah, had to go together, Mr Ben & Charly Alurg took Mr McLurgs girls, wel you will
Forest Ohio August 22nd 1865
An acrostic
Just at the setting of the sun
A lass, came here upon the run
Much out of breath, and face aglow,
Entirely dressed in calico,
So you would like to know who she was.
Well I will tell you, by and by
If I didn't I fear you'd cry
Lovely Isabel, is her name,
Long you'll wish to see the same.
Indeed you say it will not be so very long,
And then you think, back you will come,
Make lovey wife, and take her home,
Poor boy, you know not that she may
Rest on the arm of S.V. some day,
Oh! you have no fears of that Eh;
Unless I am mistaken much
The devil is all ways in the dusk
You'll find theres truth in what I say,
Now I will bid you, good day,
Will's regiment was mustered out at Greensboro, North Carolina on 13 July 1865 and arrived in Chicago a little over a week later. According to family lore, Will didn't go back with his company. Grandson John Hurst wrote to his cousin Chuck Prouty, Feb.10, 1992,
“I'll tell you what I remember being told about our Grandfather Prouty, but I can't vouch for the accuracy: He was from Ohio and was a drummer boy in the Union Army. His father, too, served at the same time, but apparently with another unit. Our grandfather was, for some reason, mustered out of the army in Meridian, Miss. He was ill, and was sitting next to the road, shaking, when a man driving a wagon stopped and said, "Get in, son." The man, whose name I don't know, took our grandfather home and Grandfather Prouty married the man's daughter. I don't know her name either. When Grandfather Prouty's wife died, he married Sarah Hughes, our grandmother, and they lived at Daleville where he served as the postmaster. I believe, Grandfather Prouty is buried at the Baptist Churchyard in Blackwater because his first wife was from that town. We apparently have relatives from that marriage but I don't know anything about them. I, too, have a photograph of Grandfather Prouty. He apparently was a handsome man with white hair and a moustache."
Chicago is about 850 miles northwest of Goldsboro. Meridian, Mississippi isn't on the way at all. To only take a week of travel the company most likely used rail. Possibly they, or at least Will, travelled west back through Atlanta and continued westward to hook up with the Mississippi River to travel up to Chicago. What Will did in the five years right after the Civil War we probably won't ever know, but in 1870 he was living with Singleton Tisdale in Dekalb, Kemper Co. Mississippi working as a house carpenter. Singleton became his brother-in-law when Will married Frances Gordon, Frances being the sister of Singleton's wife Elizabeth “Lizza” Gordon. I have as yet not found their marriage record. It's possible they were already married as their first child, Martha Cecilia Prouty, was born September 1870 according to the 1900 census. Frances is found living with her parents Elkana “E. M.” and Martha Gordon in 1870. Elkana Gordon must have been the man who took pity and picked up the sick soldier at the side of the road. He could have learned his carpentry skills in the years right after the war as his Uncle Watkins was a sheriff and tavern keeper. Will and Frances had five children together, one girl and four boys. All seven were living in Meridian, Lauderdale Co. during the 1880 census, the youngest boy a year old. Frances Jane Gordon died sometime before 1890.
Will Prouty helped with the establishment of a Methodist church in Daleville, the religion of his youth. The church was built during 1889. In "The History of the Daleville Methodist Church" Patricia Lightsey Davis says that, "From what the compiler recalls being told as a child, Mr. James W. Prouty, was the carpenter who was in charge of building the church. He also carved the pulpit. According to one story, he left a letter under the pulpit to be read if ever the pulpit were torn out." Will Prouty and at least three of his children, Gordon, Cecilia, & Emmerson, officially joined the Methodist Church of Daleville March 3, 1890. Another original member was Miss Sarah (Sallie) Hughes. Davis also wrote, "The earliest marriage in the church was that of James W. Prouty and Sallie M. Hughes by the Reverend J.M.Pugh on January 28, 1891. Their children were also the earliest infant baptisms with Charles William Prouty in November, 1894, Dora Elizabeth Prouty in 1895; Alice Pauline Prouty in July, 1897; and Hattie Irene Prouty in May, 1899."
Will made his home at Daleville for the rest of his life. He and Sallie lived on property adjoining her parents where he was a general farmer. Sallie's mother came to live with them in her old age. Sallie's sister, Betty Hughes, wrote in 1949, “Mother, it was planned, was to live no longer at the old home which she had occupied for fifty-four years, but with sister Sally, who was married to Mr. Will Prouty, and whose home adjoined ours. In October of 1902, mother went to Sally's. The following eight years were spent there, and she was truly cared for most adequately by both Sally and Mr. Prouty. "Sally," mother often said, "is the best woman I ever knew." No son born to me could have shown me more kindness and thoughtfulness than Mr. Prouty, these many years.” Will also was active in his community; James W. Prouty became postmaster of Daleville on April, 27, 1897, and served to about 1914.
On 31 March, 1915, in his 71st year, James William Prouty passed away. He was buried at Blackwater Baptist Cemetery in Kemper Co. Mississippi, where he has a government marker for his Union service. It is thought he was buried there to be by his first wife, Frances Gordon, though her name doesn't appear in the transcription. Frances brother E. M. Gordon and his wife are buried there; her tombstone must have been missed?
Even though the war had torn the country apart, Will made his home in Daleville and became a loved and respected member of the community. Craig Hughes wrote back to Chuck Prouty in 1992, "You ask if there was any resentment towards Mr. Prouty because of his being a Union Soldier, if there was I never heard of it. Though I had wondered myself why he was buried in the Blackwater Baptist Cemetery and Aunt Sally in the Hughes private cemetery. Mr. Charles E. Hughes (Sally's father) was of course a confederate, he was at Vicksburg Miss. when it fell, but he never knew Mr. Prouty as he died in 1888 and Mr. Prouty and Sally married 1891. He was a widower with children when Sally and he married so grandaddy Hughes could have known him earlier. My dad (Charles E. Hughes) and mother married Jan 1908, she was only seventeen. They visited often at the Prouty home as grandmother Pauline (Craig) Hughes spent her last eight years there. In her history she wrote that no son born to her could have been kinder and better to her. My mother often told me Mr. Prouty was a good man. Mother and Bessie, Pauline and Charlie Will had some good times together being close in age."
"James William moved from Ohio to Illinois when he was a small boy. His mother died when he was very young and he had no memory of her. He was reared by one of his mother's brothers and his wife until he enlisted. He died March 30, 1915, and is buried in the Blackwater Church Cemetery in Kemper."
Since Uncle William and his wife Martha never had any children of their own they agreed to raise two nephews and a niece. Besides Will and Cecilia, children of Uncle William's sister Esther, his other sister Elizabeth had also died living one child, William A. Kelsoe. Will, his sister Cecilia, and his cousin William were brought up together by their Aunt and Uncle in Bond Co., Illinois. In a letter written by Thomas H. Blakemore to his cousin Maud, Thomas said that,
"Uncle William married a lady named Martha. Both are deceased and without issue. Uncle William was sheriff of Bond County, Illinois for a number of years and lived in Greenville. He afterwards moved to Vandalia and erected what is still called the Watkins Block and ran a tavern there. Here Mathias Watkins (our grandfather) spent his last days and his remains are interred there."
William A. Kelsoe grew up to be a journalist. He wrote several articles about his family that describes his early years and cousin Will Prouty. In "W.A.Kelsoe Gives Reminiscences of Early History of Pocahontas" ( The Greenville Advocate Sept. 19, 1921) he says,
"On the north side of the open ground now called the Pocahontas Public Square were two stores in the fifties (1850's). The other store on the north side, now called the Brown store, was kept originally by William Watkins, my mother's brother. The building was erected about 1853 and a little later the second story was used for several months, perhaps longer, as a residence by the Watkins family. Mrs. Watkins, a sister of Arnold Greenwood, had the care of William and Cecilia Prouty, children of my mother's sister Esther Watkins Prouty, and from the Watkins farm south of Pocahontas in November 1860."
In "Pioneer Resident Writes of Early Pocahontas" ( Pocahontas News Patriot Sept. 12, 1930) W.A. Kelsoe wrote,
"... a public exhibition given by the Pocahontas Public School seventy years ago ... held in the M.E. church, then on the public square. I had a seat in the audience. On the stage Powahtan was represented by Will Prouty, with whom I lived in the family of William Watkins, brother of Prouty's mother and my mother. ... In Pocahontas this Union soldier, a member of a Chicago regiment, the 65th Illinois Infantry, was well known to all, young and old. He was named for William Watkins, as I was, and his name James was in honor of a cousin in Ohio, his native state, but at school and at home, as elsewhere, he was always called Will Prouty. He lived with the Watkins family from the spring of 1851 until recruited for the army early in 1862 with about a dozen other Bond county boys, mostly living in Greenville by an officer (a Greenville man of the Philip's family) of Chicago's Scotch regiment. Before that he had seen service in 1861 in the Greenville band after it became a military band at Springfield, Ill. Prouty's last year in school was in the winter of 1861-2 at Greenville, where he starred at a Public school exhibition with Sylvester Wheeler in a very amusing farce. He was also a member of the dramatic club."
William Kelsoe was able to get Will Prouty to write his remembrances of being in a band in Greenville Illinois for one article. In “Tells of Bands Early Days” (The Pocahontas (Illinois) News Patriot, Sept 12, 1930) Kelsoe wrote,
J.W. Prouty, new deceased, of Daleville, Miss, says in a letter received several weeks before his death; "I see in The Advocate that Ward Reid is going to write up the old bands of Greenville. The Farmers and Mechanics' Cornet Band, as I now recall it, consisted of Rob Phillips, leader, who played e-flat; J.W. Prouty, b-flat solo; Lee Phillips, baritone; Wyatt Causey, b-flat bass; Lyman Fuller, e-flat bass tuba; C.D. Sprague, bass drum and cymbals. In the early summer of 1861 we enlisted as a band, went to Springfield, Ill., and were at Camp yates three months. There we were known as Adjutant General Fuller's staff band. We played for dress parade for U.S. Grant's regiment and were his escort when he started off with the regiment for the front. He did not go down town and take the cars, but loaded his wagons in camp and started west with them, going down the public road, the band escorting him to the gate. "Near the close of our service, our leader, Rob Phillips got sick and went home. The rest of us followed a little later and we got back to Greenville just in time to bury him. Part of the band soon left Greenville again, this time going to the front. When the Bond County Fair was held that fall the few of us still in Greenville played for it, and that was the last time the Farmers and Mechanics' Cornet Band appeared in public. Before the end of winter nearly all the members had enlisted as soldiers in the Union army. In the spring C.D. Sprague and I went to Camp Douglas, Chicago, and joined the 65th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, called the Scotch regiment, and I believe that Charley and I are the only members of the old Greenville band of 1861 now living, if he is still alive. Fielding and Joe Phillips were killed in battle, and Fuller, who was wounded in battle and carried a grapeshot in his lung for a long time, died at home. I don't know what became of the rest, but I have heard that they are all dead."
The outbreak of the Civil War ended Will's life in Illinois. On April 1 1862 Will enlisted for three years service as a private in the Sixty-Fifth Regiment Illinois Infantry. His enlistment record says he was 18 years of age, 5' 8” tall, with blue eyes and a fair complexion. He claimed residency at Mulberry Grove Illinois, and that he was a single laborer. He mustered in May 15, 1862 in Chicago at Camp Douglas Will lasted through his full service and was mustered out at Greensboro, North Carolina on 13 July 1865. Aline (Prouty) Vaughn told me, "..he enlisted in the Union Army as a Drummer Boy in Captain Galen Clapps Company. He was engaged in a number of battles, "Antietam" being one of the more famous."
The Adjutant General's Report of the 65th Illinois Infantry Regiment history outlines events that must have changed young music loving Will dramatically during the course of the bloody Civil War.
“The Sixty-Fifth Regiment Illinois Infantry Volunteers, Known as the "Scotch Regiment" was organized at Camp Douglas, Chicago, Ill., in the spring of 1862, by Colonel Daniel Cameron, Jr., and mustered into United States' service May 1, 1862.
The Regiment was ordered to Martinsburg, Va., and, on its arrival, was brigaded with the Hundred and Twenty-fifth New York and Batter M, Second Illinois Artillery, under command of Colonel Miles. When Colonel Miles surrendered at Harper's Ferry, the Sixty-fifth were made prisoners by the enemy. On the succeeding day, the Regiment was paroled and sent to Chicago, where it remained until April, 1863, when, being exchanged, moved April 19 and joined the Eastern Kentucky Army, serving in that campaign, and returning, via Cincinnati, to Camp Nelson, Ky., was sent to Knoxville, Tenn., under General Burnside, where it was assigned to Second Brigade, Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps.
Served during the campaigns in East Tennessee, taking part in the battles of November 28 and 29, in the defense of Knoxville. The enemy, under Longstreet was repulsed, with great loss. Shortly afterward, General Burnside was relieved by General Schofield.
After a severe winter campaign, the Sixty-fifth re-enlisted, as a veteran organization, and went home on furlough, in March 1864, with over 400 men. When the veterans furlough had expired, the Regiment joined General Sherman's Army, 25 miles below Kingston, Ga. The Second Brigade was now composed of the Twenty-fourth Kentucky, One Hundred and Third Ohio, Sixty-fifth Indiana and Sixty-fifth Illinois, commanded by Colonel Cameron of the Sixty-fifth, General J.D. Cox commanding the Third Division.
June 15, 1864, a general advance of Sherman's Army being made, the Sixty-fifth, on the right of the Twenty-third Corps, was brought into a sharp engagement with the enemy, between Kenesaw and Lost Mountains. The enemy fell back, and, on the following day, the Sixty-fifth Illinois occupied their works. Lively skirmishing was continued on the 17th 18th and 19th, and on the 20th, the advance was checked by a deep and almost impassable creek - the enemy disputing the passage of the only bridge with artillery and infantry. Volunteers being called for, about 50 men of the Sixty-fifth Illinois stepped forward and charged across the bridge, driving back the enemy, and holding the position until the remainder of the regiment crossed. During July and August, was engaged in numerous skirmishes. Some of them (as on July 19 and August 6) were quite severe. On the 18th August, Captain Duquid, with four companies, drove a superior force over two miles.
August 26, with 15 days rations, engaged in the successful movement south of Atlanta, driving the enemy from Rough-and-Ready Status, and destroying the railroad; and thence to Jonesboro, participating in that battle. From thence moved to Decatur, and went into camp, September 9.
October 5, marched in pursuit of Hood to Rome, Kingston, Rezaca, Altoona and Gaylesville, Ala. - back to Rome and Dalton, where it arrived, 129th. From Dalton moved by rail, to Nashville, November 7th.
From Nashville, the Regiment moved to Pulaski, Tenn., and, on 22nd November was forced back to Columbia, by Hood. November 25 and 26, was severely engaged in Columbia, losing 3 officers and 50 men, killed and wounded. November 30, the "Scotch Regiment" was engaged at Franklin. More than 200 dead and wounded rebels covered the ground in font of the Sixty-fifth, and it captured the colors of the Fifteenth Mississippi Infantry. During the night, it fell back to Nashville.
December 15 and 16, participated in the battle of Nashville, and afterward pursued the retreating enemy to Clifton, Tenn., where the Regiment remained until January 15, 1865. Moved, by boat, to Cincinnati; thence by rail, to Washington and Annapolis, and embarked February 2, for Wilmington, N.C. Landed at Federal Point, 7th, and was engaged in the heavy skirmishes there. 16th, crossed the Cape Fear River, and , 18th, flanked the enemy out of Fort Anderson. 20th, fought the enemy at Smithtown Creek, capturing 3 pieces of artillery and 350 men. February 23, Wilmington fell.
March 6, 1865, broke camp, and moved to Kinston. From this place, the first five companies, except veterans, were sent to Chicago, under Captain Duquid for mustering-out.
Marched to Goldsboro, N.C., and thence to Raleigh, where it remained until the surrender of Johnson's Army. From Raleigh the non-veterans moved to Greensboro, N.C. and went into permanent camp.
May 1, four new companies of recruits joined the Regiment. In June, 4 officers and 250 men were assigned to the Regiment from the Ninety-second Illinois; 2 officers and 120 men from the One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois and 25 men from the One Hundred and Seventh Illinois. Lieutenant Colonel Stewart was mustered as Colonel.
July 13, 1865, the Regiment was mustered out, and started home, arriving at Chicago, July 22, and received final payment and discharge July 26, 1865.
May 31, 1865, According to orders from War Department, the veterans and recruits whose terms of service have not expired, Companies A, D, G, H and K, are consolidated under letter H. Companies C, E, F and I are consolidated under Letter K. Company B retains its original letter, and is filled to the maximum number with drafted men, assigned to the Regiment by the War Department.”
In the article “Will Prouty Tells War Reminiscences” by W.A. Kelsoe of St. Louis, Will gives an account of how he met his Uncles Cy and Wallace Watkins near the end of war in North Carolina,
:
"When I asked Will Prouty, now, and for many years, a resident of Daleville, Miss., to write you a story for the big Centennial edition of The Advocate, he could think of nothing to write about, but he sent me a brief account of some of his North Carolina experiences near the close of the Civil War that will be acceptable, I am sure, coming as it does from a Bond county soldier who lived in Greenville before and during the first year of that war. The Bond county boys in the 65th Illinois Infantry were J. T. Buchanan, Peter Ehrstein, H.H. Frampton, William Haeney, William Sanders, D.D. Sprahue, William Tate and Thomas K. White. Ehrstein was the drummer of their company and Prouty the bugler. Dudley Sprague was orderly sergeant; Charley, third sergeant; and O'Sullivan, a corporal. In addition to "bugling" Prouty had other duties at times, one of them being picket service, and it was while he was at an outpost serving as vidette that he had the interesting experience related in his letter. Let Prouty tell the story in his own expressive way:" - "It happened to be myself who was on vidette north of Wilmington, N.C., when a lot of our boys who had been released from a Rebel prison, arrived. As I was standing at my post in advance of our lines I saw a rough looking crowd coming towards me. They had no flags and looked like Johnnies, but I could see they were headed by a few blue-coated officers, so I did not shoot, yell, or run but just stood there and watched the outfit. I guess about 2,000 had marched past when I heard a familiar voice yell out, "My God, there's Prouty!" and a grey-dressed chap ran out of the ranks and embraced me. Then here came another and what those poor fellows did to me was a plenty. They were Will Grady and Jack McClusky, Company I boys, who had been captured in East Tennessee. A short time after that I was standing vidette near Goldsboro, N.C. Hardee had been around there trying to do things, but had failed. I was on the advance post, watching the road when a lot of horsemen came in sight. I knew none of our bunch was out there and began to think they were Confederate cavalry, when I saw they were dressed in blue and felt much relieved. Then I began to suspect it was General Sherman's army all the way from Georgia. When the first officer got up even with me and one asked what command I belonged to, I answered "Schofield's Finkers'. They gave a yell and rode away, feeling mighty good. Soon a bunch came along that specially attracted my attention. I saw by their flags that they were the Twentieth Corps and I began to get interested. I wanted to find our Uncles Cy and Wallace Watkins. Their brigade, the 5th Ohio, soon came along and when they got even with me, I called "Cy Watkins". About a dozen took up the cry and right away Cy came scrambling up the bank and wanted to know who I was. When I told him he yelled for Wallace. So there and then I met Uncles Cy and Wallace for the first time and I was the first one to welcome Sherman's army at Goldsboro on their now famous and historic march from Atlanta to the sea."
Getting mail from home was always eagerly anticipated by soldiers, Will was no exception. From these surviving letters we can get an idea of life back home during the war. The letters were from his father Austin, sister Cecilia, .Aunt Mollie (Watkins) Rambo, and a friend Mattie Shideler.
Camp near New Iberia Louisana
Nov. the 2cd AD 1863
My dear son,
your long looked for letter came to hand at last you stated that you wrote to me from Chicago I received one from you mailed at Chicago giving an account of your being taken prisoner at harpers ferry and I answered it right a way and have wrote two or three since but could here nothing from you so I gave up righting I wrote to Cecillia but could get no word from her I was in the hospital at St Louis one month and wrote three letters to her but could get no answer from her I would ? went out to see her but I had no money and I could get no furlough so I had to return to my regiment without seeing her I suppose you have heard before this of our exployts around Vicksburg I was in three hard fights there the battles of Port Gipson Champun hill and milikins bend I was not in the charge at black River being
sick at the time but I took a hand in the seage at Vicksburg and was there on the forth of July when Pemberton surrenderd and a few dayes after the surrender I took sick and was sent to St Louis to the Lawson hospital I was a way from the regiment two months and while I was a way the regiment was ordered to New Orleans from there they came to Brashure City on Brashure Bay 18 miles from the Gulf of mexico where I found them ninty miles from New Orleans we lay there a few days and then started up this direction not knowing where we were bound for we marched up the Atchapala River we had an idea we were a going through to red river and up it to Schrieves Port and then through texas to galveston we march four days then lay by a few days then we marched on up to Opelousas where we stayed a few days then was orded back to this place which is one hundred and fifty miles from Orleans Opelusas is two hundred miles from
Orleans the opinion is now that we will go back to Orleans and from there no one knows without we go back up the river the governer of texas has been in orleans making speaches in which he offers to bring texas back into the union and rais twelve thousand troops for twelve months to protect that state if banks will not invade that state and it is my opinion that is the cause of our being orded back that the raid into texas is a bandoned we may go up the river and we may go to mobela there is no knowing where yet if the eastern armeys would clean them out as compleat as the western armey has the war would soon close I understand that your uncle William Watkins is rank Copperhead I truly hope that you my dear son have none of the tratorus sentiments in you I want you to be a chip from the old block your grate grand father (my grand father on my mothers side) was seven years in the war of the revelution he fought to gain
our countrys independence your grandfather Prouty (my father) fought in the last war with england to maintain our independence and now your father and your uncle Adolphus Prouty (my only brother) and your self my dear son all of the name that is of sufficient age to be is in the army trying to preserve our glores union now my brave boy be true to your Country be brave but not rash shun all eavle vices be saving of your money but not stingey put your trust in God who rules the destinees nations and of all man kind pray to him continuley to protect you through this fire trial that you may return safe to your friends once more I hope that we may both live and have the pleasure of meating once more on earth I wrote an answer to your letter several day back but for fear it would not get it I concluded to right a nother and it may be that you will get one or both of them
may the lord bless and protect you my son is the prayer of your affectionate father
Austin Prouty
Vandalia April 27th
Dear Brother
I received your letter about two weeks ago you ask me a question which I must say surprised me a great deal.
I did write to Ella as you wished and waited to get a letter from her before I answered your because I wanted to see if there was any change in her I do not think there is as much as there ought to be. I could easily overlook that one great error in her life if she was all right in every thing else but if she is the same girl she was in G....... I cannot say
that I would like her for a sister because I do not think that she would make you a good wife you know that you have your own living to make and i do not think that Ella would prove a good helpmate if you were comming into posession of a large amount of property if would do better. I suppose you understand that I mean she would not prove a good housekeeper she is decidelly to giddy if I could see you face to face and speak on this subject I could tell you things that I cannot write very well. I suppose you know how essential it is to a mans happiness to have a good housekeeper for a wife and I think to much of my only brother to see him wedded to a poor one. But if you love Ella and she loves you and you want her take her and never by word or deed of mine shall she know that I disapprove of it I will give her a sisters welcome
and treat her as a sister.
I told Aunt that you was writing to her and she was very much surprised but all she said was, I hope he won't marry her. I do not know yet what they will do with me this fall they never mention this subject if I ask Aunt all the answer I get is , I dont know, I guess when your Father comes your Uncle will give you up to him. I would give almost anything to get to go to school about two years more but Aunt says that my school days are over so I suppose i must give up that thought. I dont know how I can correspond with Ella because Aunt would not be willing for me to and I cannot send a letter without her knowledge as she will not let me have stamps to myself I have to go to her for every one I get and she always askes who
I have been writing too and if she does not like it she will not give me any I got a stamp from Uncle for the ones I did write and he asked me no questions. I got a letter from Julia not long ago she promised to send me her Photo if I would send mine to her so did Aunt Louise and John but I have none and can get none taken for the simple reason that Aunt wont give me the money I wrote to Father for the money and he promised it but it has been almost a year now and it has not come yet. he wanted my Photo and I told him ti send me the money and he might have it. I wrote to you some time ago in answer to the one you sent Fathers letter in have you received it? I think that we have a whole host of relations I wonder what kind of folks they
are i should like to see them all would not you? Oh Will I wish you was here I do hate Vandalia so bad . I can not like it and there is no use in trying if you was here I might be better contented but here I am a stranger among strangers I have been here 10 Months and am not acquainted with any one yet Searuly. Where is Father now? if _ I would write to him again perhaps he did not get my last letter. I have not heard from Greenville for some time so I know nothing new.
I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you this fall a discharged soldier is there any prospect of it. how did you like to have Sherman supareeded I have writin quite a long letter for me so I will have to close hoping you will hasten to answer it and give me a long one in return.
your sister
Mandia sends a kiss C.M.P.
Vandalia May 14th
Dear Brother,
I received your letter of the 28th tonight and one writen on the 18th of April about a week ago and shall answer both in one.
I hope you will have a pleasant visit when ou go to Ohio.
I received a letter from Father the other day the first I have had for six months he tells me that if he has to go back to Iowa to be mustered out that it is very doubtful whether he will come to see me or not if he does not I
will think that he does not care very much for us not to see us in 10 and 11 years one might as well have no Father. I would like to go to Ohio on a visit myself if I could only get the means Aunt Lou invites every letter but I suppose I will have to stay at home as usual.
You spoke of Raleigh as being a very pretty city do you suppose I know anything about a city if you do you are very much mistaken for the largest city I ever saw is V--- and I never was on the cars in my life just think of it almost 18 years old and never was 90 miles from home yet. I suppose you have got my other letter by this time I am very glad that you did not mean what you wrote about E--- for she is not the kind of a woman for my brother to marry I must confess that you did fright
me when I read it. I sent that Photo to E. Cearnell and received yours she said that she was going to be married in two months to a Vet Soldier. I wish I could coax Aunt to let me get my Photo's taken there is so many that want it but she cannot see the sese of it cousin Julia wrote to me saying that she would send me hers if I would send mine and I have not answered the letter yet I have been waiting in hopes that I could coax her to let me have them taken but the answer is no it costs to much. I wish there was no such a thing as money for that is continually thrown in my face. It is "why Ceill you cannot expect to dress as though you was our own daughter" I cannot see why for my part this is the only home I have ever
known and they are the only parents and I am the only one they have to dress besides themselves Willie has money enough to support himself but you know all about it you had a taste of it yourself once while Aunt thought that Father was coming this fall she was as good as pie but as soon as I get that letter saying that he could not come it is right the other way I can do nothing to suit her the reason was that the prospect of sending me off with him made her feel rather kindly towards me She often says that she wishes I was away somewhere so that she would not have me to support she wants me to get married so bad that she dont know what to do but I shall not do it untill I find a man to suit me uncle would do a great deal more for me if she would let him he will not let me start out and earn my own living so here I am mercy knows what I will do this
fall when they break up housekeeping but let Aunt do what she will Uncle nisld not drive me off whith out providing me with a home. I wish you was here just to see some things but my popear is built
CMP
C.C.B.C.O. Jan. 4th 1865
Mr.. 'Will" Prouty
Soldier Friend, This beautiful afternoon finds me penning a few scattering thoughts in response to your little white dove messenger. which I was the happy recipient of several weeks ago and I assure you it was met with a warm reception and the contents were pursued with the highest feelings of gratification. I should have replied to your kind missive ere this but have been absent from home the greater part of the time since I received
it. I hope my friends good judgment and forgiving spirit will have compassion on my seeming neglect and I assure you I'll endeavor to be more punctual in the future. By the way friend, how did you spend your holy-days. "I hope" you spent them pleasantly. No doubt but your thoughts floated on pission wings to that (Northern home and friends far away.) and wandered home-ward to that land where unnumbered pleasures, delightful scenes, and happy associations all united to make the path of life agreeable and existence a blessing, but which you as Soldiers have now sacrificed on the altar of country as you thought and in the bitterness of your hearts you exclaim, oh, America, America that we must endure all this, and suffer so much, all forsooth that the ambitious few might appease
their wanton appetites for plunder and quench that fiendish thirst for human blood and it brought to memory ten thousand blessings which you are now deprived of and betrayed before your visions days of happiness and nights of pleasure, but which you are now doomed to pass your days in discomfort and your nights in misery. no doubt. the Soldiers midnight dreams often wander far to their northern homes and fain would the vision transport them to the land they love and the home they reverence, But alas for the storm of madness which reigns in the hearts of men says no, and the echo says no, no, and the sound dies in the distant. I passed my holy-days very pleasantly but oh how often did my thoughts wander to my Soldier friends and often did I wish that they
could be with me to participate in our pleasures, but alas it was a vain wish it could not be. friend Will I fear I shall make a grand failure in the attempt of giving you an interesting letter in return for yours, as, I am a very poor correspondent, and I presume you will not be long in ascertaining that, But nevertheless, I'll endeavor to do my best through my ignorance and incapability and if I fail I shall fall at your feet and plead impassible. You wished to know what for styled letters I fancied. Love letters is something I know nothing about as I never received any of them and have never written any. Therefore letters of fun and friends ship are my style. I don't know as I shall ever be able to
say any-thing very interesting or funny, but nevertheless, I'll enjoy perusing your interesting epistles. How is your friend Charlie getting along. I saw his friend Annie yesterday. she was looking as handsome as could be. I am positive if Charley could only see Annie's beautiful black eyes and those handsome black curls which flow over a head of such fine proportion he would be perfectly charmed with her. Annie is a dear good girl, and is loved and respected by all who know her. I dearly love her as an only sister. How I should love to see my soldier friend this beautiful evening when you had no thoughts of seeing me. wouldn't it be grand to take a birds eye view of you. Yes indeed I guess it would and the very idea carries me to your bunk I am
sure those flannel coats are quite becoming, and them fancy little caps which encircle those many lovely curls does not quite hide the features of noble faces, noble I say and I mean it too, but I must not commend you to highly on an ideal peep for fear you will take the praise for heartless flattery, which you may not know I greatly and admirably detest. You Soldiers can consider your selves exalted somebodies and we at home will consider ourselves self-inflated nobodys. Indeed Will I feel sorry indeed that you have been so unfortunate with your correspondence I hope you will be more successful in the future. You spoke in your letter of exchanging Photos. I would
be very happy indeed to exchange as I always feel highly honored to receive a Soldiers Photo. but the rules of etiquette will not permit of me sending mine first. but if you will send me yours I'll immediately
forward you mine. I shall bring this uninteresting letter to a close as I presume your patience has already been tested to a great extent by my uninteresting remarks. My compliments to your friend Charlie I shall be very happy to hear from you soon if you deem this worthy a reply.
Yours with Respect,
Mattie J. Shideler
Feb 22nd 1865
Box 31 College Corner Ohio
C.C.B.C.O.
Shideler House Gravel
Mr. "Will" Prouty
Soldier friend, just imagine me sitting in my little room near the front window not quite asleep but with the aid of a few nonsensical ideas a brass pen and wooden handle" a black noggin blue eyes and a long tongue and with a close observation of my charming self you have a perfect representation of this Angel ! isn't she fascinating ! Yes indeed I think she is ! Well Willie your little white dove messenger was received a few days ago, and if I tell you that it has been read and reread quite a number of times it __ I telling you no story your letter was very interesting indeed. I had
almost come to the conclusion that you were not going to reply to my uninteresting letter but at last my plies were greeted with a kind letter from you and soon I was found perusing the content with the utmost pleasure. I saw friend Annie last Sabbath week she was here and spent the day with me. she was looking sweeter than usual, Annie received a letter from her friend Charlie last week he (Charlie) was at Louisville at the time he wrote Willie you can imagine that Annie and I had a pleasant time together on last Sabbath week, but amidst all of our pleasures we did not forget to think of our absent friends, Willie and Charlie and often did we speak of them and wonder how they were spending the day. Annie sends her compliments to you. By the way I received your Photo and think it very handsome indeed. I thank you very much indeed for sending it, I shall very highly prize it and every time I gaze upon it I will impress a kiss upon those sweet lips (Oh! excuse me) Charlie you spoke of seeing a gentleman in the 181st rgt. that knew Annie and I do you recollect his name? we cannot imagine who it could be, we were not aware that we had any acquaintances in that regt, no doubt but the gent gave a brilliant description of us,
Oh! Charlie I must not forget to tell you of an adventure trip I had yesterday in order to see one of my darling lady friends you will remember how remarkably bright the sun shone in the morning I never once thought of the miserable road, I had gone but a short distance when I came to a place in appearance muddy and treacherous, but in I plunged, but midway stuck fast, emerging from the desperate mud-hole I pursued my way some time - along the narrow track in the checkered sun-shine and shadows of the woods till at length issuing forth into the broad road and down "kersplash" I went, and I doubt whether "Painters," Poets and novelists have ever penetrated farther to the other regions than I did this morning a little farther along and a false step involved one shoe in a catastrophe desperate My perseverance was at last rewarded I reached my friends house still alive, and how do you think I was repaid for the trouble my trip caused me? why, by meeting then a Soldier friend whom I had not seen for three years, a fair compensation wasn't it? And so Valentines day has come and passed, I wonder if friend Charlie received any (Valentines). no doubt but what he did, I received several very nice ones. Willie I presume I shall
have to break my promise in not sending you my Photo. I have none by me at present and as their is no artist here at present I have no opportunity of having any taken but rest assured I shall send you one soon I'm going to Onferd in a few days and will have some taken and shall send you one immediately. Annie intends sending Charlie her Photo some-time soon I wonder how Willie is spending this evening? I hope he is spending it pleasantly. Willie in looking over this letter I noticed several places where I have called you Charlie I hope you will pardon the mistake I cant imagine how I came to make such a mistake their has a gentleman called I presume I shall have to go down and entertain him you may imagine me spreading on the French "Airs" Oh! but wont I say sweet things to him yes indeed I guess I shall, Willie please pardon this uninteresting letter. I shall endeavor to write a more lengthy and interesting letter next time hoping to hear from you soon if you deem this worthy a reply my love to Charlie and reserve a portion for yourself it you prefer Your friend Mattie So here I go to entertain the gent A friend of the Soldier by
Mattie C Shideler
Box 31 C.C.B.C.O.
April the 18 1865
Dear Nephew
I received your letter and was very glad to get one from you although I was not looking for one from you I knew their was such a person for I have had three letters from your sister Cecilia. I had just got one from her you say you was here in the City not long ago I would have liked to have seen you very much and I want you to come and see us if you live to get back and I hope it wont be very long before you can all come home again for I don't think this war can last much longer . I am looking for your Uncle and sister out here soon she wrote that she was coming this Spring I wish she would for I should like to see you all and don't you forget to come for I want to see wether you are good looking or not as you say you are not for I am a good judge of beauty
Willie if you see Brother Willie ? give them our love and tell them to write home I have not had a letter from Bills since in Nov and I am afraid their has something happened to him if you saw him be sure and let me know in your next letter for I feel very uneasy about him and Cyrus would not let me know if anything had happened to him I don't think and I would rather know it than to be kept in suspense now don't fail to let me know about him you will have to excuse Frank for not writing for he is kept so close at work excuse all mistakes and bad writing now good by till I hear from you
your Aunt Mollie Rambo --
C.C.B.C.O. May 8th 1865 Shideler House Gravels Street
Mr. W. Prouty
Friend Willie This beautiful afternoon I shall endeavor to hold a short communion with thee not verbally as desired but through the silent medium of the pen. Oh, how I should Love to see friends Willie & Charlie this afternoon with one of their pleasantest smiles on. Shs I fancy I see them now, Your kind letter dated March 22nd was received some two weeks ago and I assure you it was met with a welcome reception, I sincerely hope you will pardon my negligence for not replying ere this, I should have replied sooner but have been absent from home ever since I received your kind missive, I have been visiting some friends in Indiana and just returned home last Saturday and upon my arrival here I found no less than a dozen letters
awaiting my return and among the number I found one from friend Willie and soon I was eagerly found perusing its contents. I saw friend Annie passing here a few moments ago, she was looking as sweet as a peach I'm expecting her here after while, and wont we have a gay time though, talking of our friends Charlie & Willie! By the way Willie, I hope you will not think hard of me for not sending you my Photo." I had a negative taken for some on last Saturday, and they will have them finished sometime this week, and I'll send you one in my next letter. I know you will admire it for they are perfectly beautiful has Annie sent her Photo" to Charlie yet? I presume you and Charlie will soon come to the conclusion that Annie and I are not very punctual in fulfilling promises, I assure you Will, I shall certainly fulfill my promise in my next. Annie & I shall look for you and Charlie to pay us a visit when you return home, I have a darling brother in the army and we are expecting him home now everyday. He belongs to the 93rd Ohio Its reported here that all Soldiers whose time is very near to expire are to be sent home immediately I sincerely hope the report is true, for I am anxious to see the Soldiers return, But Oh! how may
yes very may who will never return. Oh! it is horrible to think of the thousand brave youths who have gone forth and sacrificed their lives in behalf of our noble Country as it is called, I shall have to stop writing for the present as their has been company announced and I shall have to go and entertain them, So here I go! Monday evening Well Willie I shall now endeavor to finish my poorly commenced letter. No doubt but your patience is already wearied to a great extent by my nonsense but nevertheless I'm going to test your good nature a little while longer friend Annie called to see me this afternoon she was looking most beautiful she received a letter from Charlie a few days ago she intends sending Charlie her Photo" in her next letter. no doubt but what Charlie will be perfectly charmed with it I have a lady cousin visiting me at present from near Dayton she has taken quite a fancy to your picture she says she thinks its perfectly beautiful. I shall have to bring this uninteresting letter to a close, as I have a severe headache and don't feel at all like writing, I hope you will pardon
a poor letter this time I shall endeavor to do better in the future. My compliments to Charlie, I shall be happy to hear from you soon again if you deem this worthy a reply, Your friend Mattie Shideler
College Corner, Ohio
Cousin Annie Shideler sends her compliments to you.
(The next two letters aren't signed, the first appears to be from a first cousin - --- Phillips, daughter of Job and Louisa (Prouty) Phillips.)
Forest Hardin Co. Ohio May 21st 1865
Dear Cousin
I sit down to write a few lines to you this pleasant afternoon but is very warm, I expect it is very warm down there where you are now, we received your kind letter a few days a go and was glad to hear from you and was glad to hear that you was coming to see us as soon as you got out of the army, and that young man that you spoke a bout coming we will be very glad to see him to and trust that you will soon have the privilege of coming, I know I will know you when I see you a coming for I am sure you will look just like you did the last time I saw you don't you think you do, we have lots of company
to day, and some has gone home and there is some here yet, well Will a bout your Fanes suit I am a fraid I would have my trouble for nothing for I expect after I got your suit ready you would feel to big to wear them but just you wait if I live long enough I will make you a suit of Fanes some day and then we will see wether you will wear it or not, well I cannot think of any more to write at present so I will close at those few remarks good bye Well Will I will set down to write a few lines more as I have just come from a walk. I had a very pleasant time I went to my Cousins that lives a bout a mile from here and stayed a few minutes and then came back to Mrs Aluys on my Cousins place and stayed a little while and then came to Mrs Gillilands a bout a half mile from here and there I found one of our
soldiers friends and an other young man & three young ladies that was there to spend the afternoon and we had a very pleasant time and I wish you had of been a long for I know you would of enjoyed your self you wrote in one of your letters and wanted to know who Augustus was wether it was a town know it is my brother he lives on our farm and so does Amanda or Lennie as you call her, so you can see that there is pretty near a town here, I hope it will be nice weather when you come here an that you can have a nice time I have as idea that you are a lively chap but I may be mistaken but I trust not for I love to see a person real lively for it always does me so much good than to see a person so still that they can hardly say a word, there was a party down
to my brother Augustus last Thursday eve and we had a very nice time it rained so that we could not come home until four o clock and there was one couple that sat up until day light how is it with you do you ever attend a party or do you not care a bout parties, well I guess I will not write much more this time but will wait until you come home or here and then I will tell you the rest, it seems as though I have always been acquainted with you and that you always lived a round here but I expect you think that I am very much mistaken do you not Coz, well I will quit my scribbling for the present hoping soon to see or hear from you I close good bye & give my respects to your friend Charley and tell him that he must not give up coming out here with you and now you must not give up coming for we will look for you, write soon
An Acrostick,
Let not your fears be very great
On the married, or single state
Very much I love you dear
Enough, to wait for you one year,
Let that pass by with speed of time
You'l then return and make me thine
In case you fail, and not return
Some others heart, will for me burn
And will make, a husband, dear
Believe me sir, I'll shed no tear.
Enough this time, so now good bye,
Laugh you may, but I'll not cry
(This next letter appears to be written by Aunt Louisa (Prouty) Phillips.)
Well, Will, as I am alone to day only Josephine as she has the chill & fever & is a bed, so I am lonesome & I picked up the slate & wrote some nonsense, & then I thought I would write it on paper, & may be send
it to you, some time, Lib & Lovey has been making me compose aerosticks on their names & others to suit them, & I thought I would try my hand at one on yours, or Loveys to pass away the time, Lovey was here all last week, working for me, & she staid yesterday & to day so to get ready to go to a great party that is to be at Thomas Clarks this evening, Julia came home yesterday, as I found out I could not get along without some one & I thought it did not pay to hire a girl, & let her work out, they may get some one else- I feel much better to day than I have since you left here, but I am not able to do all my work Josephine has the chill & fever
& is not able to do any thing, They had a nice time down to the basket meeting, they say. I was not there, & there was a young man came home with the girls, & he staid until most day, with one of them, but I must not say which, well the girls has all been down to Leroys, this afternoon he raised a stable & the girls went to help Amanda kook, evening & alone excepting Jose as she is in bed, the young folks has all gone to the party, Mr Wilson took Lovey, & Mr Die, Julia, & Mr. Gilliland, Lib, Adolphus & Geremiah, had to go together, Mr Ben & Charly Alurg took Mr McLurgs girls, wel you will
Forest Ohio August 22nd 1865
An acrostic
Just at the setting of the sun
A lass, came here upon the run
Much out of breath, and face aglow,
Entirely dressed in calico,
So you would like to know who she was.
Well I will tell you, by and by
If I didn't I fear you'd cry
Lovely Isabel, is her name,
Long you'll wish to see the same.
Indeed you say it will not be so very long,
And then you think, back you will come,
Make lovey wife, and take her home,
Poor boy, you know not that she may
Rest on the arm of S.V. some day,
Oh! you have no fears of that Eh;
Unless I am mistaken much
The devil is all ways in the dusk
You'll find theres truth in what I say,
Now I will bid you, good day,
Will's regiment was mustered out at Greensboro, North Carolina on 13 July 1865 and arrived in Chicago a little over a week later. According to family lore, Will didn't go back with his company. Grandson John Hurst wrote to his cousin Chuck Prouty, Feb.10, 1992,
“I'll tell you what I remember being told about our Grandfather Prouty, but I can't vouch for the accuracy: He was from Ohio and was a drummer boy in the Union Army. His father, too, served at the same time, but apparently with another unit. Our grandfather was, for some reason, mustered out of the army in Meridian, Miss. He was ill, and was sitting next to the road, shaking, when a man driving a wagon stopped and said, "Get in, son." The man, whose name I don't know, took our grandfather home and Grandfather Prouty married the man's daughter. I don't know her name either. When Grandfather Prouty's wife died, he married Sarah Hughes, our grandmother, and they lived at Daleville where he served as the postmaster. I believe, Grandfather Prouty is buried at the Baptist Churchyard in Blackwater because his first wife was from that town. We apparently have relatives from that marriage but I don't know anything about them. I, too, have a photograph of Grandfather Prouty. He apparently was a handsome man with white hair and a moustache."
Chicago is about 850 miles northwest of Goldsboro. Meridian, Mississippi isn't on the way at all. To only take a week of travel the company most likely used rail. Possibly they, or at least Will, travelled west back through Atlanta and continued westward to hook up with the Mississippi River to travel up to Chicago. What Will did in the five years right after the Civil War we probably won't ever know, but in 1870 he was living with Singleton Tisdale in Dekalb, Kemper Co. Mississippi working as a house carpenter. Singleton became his brother-in-law when Will married Frances Gordon, Frances being the sister of Singleton's wife Elizabeth “Lizza” Gordon. I have as yet not found their marriage record. It's possible they were already married as their first child, Martha Cecilia Prouty, was born September 1870 according to the 1900 census. Frances is found living with her parents Elkana “E. M.” and Martha Gordon in 1870. Elkana Gordon must have been the man who took pity and picked up the sick soldier at the side of the road. He could have learned his carpentry skills in the years right after the war as his Uncle Watkins was a sheriff and tavern keeper. Will and Frances had five children together, one girl and four boys. All seven were living in Meridian, Lauderdale Co. during the 1880 census, the youngest boy a year old. Frances Jane Gordon died sometime before 1890.
Will Prouty helped with the establishment of a Methodist church in Daleville, the religion of his youth. The church was built during 1889. In "The History of the Daleville Methodist Church" Patricia Lightsey Davis says that, "From what the compiler recalls being told as a child, Mr. James W. Prouty, was the carpenter who was in charge of building the church. He also carved the pulpit. According to one story, he left a letter under the pulpit to be read if ever the pulpit were torn out." Will Prouty and at least three of his children, Gordon, Cecilia, & Emmerson, officially joined the Methodist Church of Daleville March 3, 1890. Another original member was Miss Sarah (Sallie) Hughes. Davis also wrote, "The earliest marriage in the church was that of James W. Prouty and Sallie M. Hughes by the Reverend J.M.Pugh on January 28, 1891. Their children were also the earliest infant baptisms with Charles William Prouty in November, 1894, Dora Elizabeth Prouty in 1895; Alice Pauline Prouty in July, 1897; and Hattie Irene Prouty in May, 1899."
Will made his home at Daleville for the rest of his life. He and Sallie lived on property adjoining her parents where he was a general farmer. Sallie's mother came to live with them in her old age. Sallie's sister, Betty Hughes, wrote in 1949, “Mother, it was planned, was to live no longer at the old home which she had occupied for fifty-four years, but with sister Sally, who was married to Mr. Will Prouty, and whose home adjoined ours. In October of 1902, mother went to Sally's. The following eight years were spent there, and she was truly cared for most adequately by both Sally and Mr. Prouty. "Sally," mother often said, "is the best woman I ever knew." No son born to me could have shown me more kindness and thoughtfulness than Mr. Prouty, these many years.” Will also was active in his community; James W. Prouty became postmaster of Daleville on April, 27, 1897, and served to about 1914.
On 31 March, 1915, in his 71st year, James William Prouty passed away. He was buried at Blackwater Baptist Cemetery in Kemper Co. Mississippi, where he has a government marker for his Union service. It is thought he was buried there to be by his first wife, Frances Gordon, though her name doesn't appear in the transcription. Frances brother E. M. Gordon and his wife are buried there; her tombstone must have been missed?
Even though the war had torn the country apart, Will made his home in Daleville and became a loved and respected member of the community. Craig Hughes wrote back to Chuck Prouty in 1992, "You ask if there was any resentment towards Mr. Prouty because of his being a Union Soldier, if there was I never heard of it. Though I had wondered myself why he was buried in the Blackwater Baptist Cemetery and Aunt Sally in the Hughes private cemetery. Mr. Charles E. Hughes (Sally's father) was of course a confederate, he was at Vicksburg Miss. when it fell, but he never knew Mr. Prouty as he died in 1888 and Mr. Prouty and Sally married 1891. He was a widower with children when Sally and he married so grandaddy Hughes could have known him earlier. My dad (Charles E. Hughes) and mother married Jan 1908, she was only seventeen. They visited often at the Prouty home as grandmother Pauline (Craig) Hughes spent her last eight years there. In her history she wrote that no son born to her could have been kinder and better to her. My mother often told me Mr. Prouty was a good man. Mother and Bessie, Pauline and Charlie Will had some good times together being close in age."
Events
| Birth | 10 May 1843 | Athens, Athens, Ohio, United States | |||
| Census | 1860 | Bond, Illinois, United States |  |  | |
| Education | 1861/62 | Last year in school - Greenville, Bond, Illinois, United States | |||
| Military | Bet 1 Apr 1862 and Jul 1862 | American Civil War - Union | | | |
| Census | 7 Sep 1870 | De Kalb, Kemper, Mississippi, United States | | | |
| Marriage | Aft 7 Sep 1870 | Kemper, Mississippi, United States - Frances Jane "Fannie" Gordon | | | |
| Census (family) | 2 Jun 1880 | Meridian, Lauderdale, Mississippi, United States - Frances Jane "Fannie" Gordon | | | |
| Marriage | 28 Jan 1891 | Daleville, Lauderdale, Mississippi, United States - Sarah Matilda "Sallie" Hughes | | ||
| Census (family) | 22 Jun 1900 | Lauderdale, Mississippi, United States - Sarah Matilda "Sallie" Hughes | | | |
| Census (family) | 11 May 1910 | Beat 3 (part of), Lauderdale, Mississippi, United States - Sarah Matilda "Sallie" Hughes | | | |
| Death | 30 Mar 1915 | at his home, Daleville, Lauderdale, Mississippi, United States | | ||
| Burial | Blackwater Baptist Cemetery, Blackwater, Kemper, Mississippi, United States | | |
Families
| Spouse | Sarah Matilda "Sallie" Hughes (1858 - 1940) |
| Child | Charles William Prouty (1893 - 1989) |
| Child | Dora Elizabeth "Bessie" Prouty (1895 - 1986) |
| Child | Alice Pauline "Polly" Prouty (1897 - 1985) |
| Child | Hattie Irene "Rene" Prouty (1899 - 1978) |
| Spouse | Frances Jane "Fannie" Gordon (1841 - 1890) |
| Child | Martha Cecilia Prouty (1870 - 1955) |
| Child | Charles Gordon Prouty Sr. (1873 - 1950) |
| Child | Albert Mack Prouty (1875 - 1940) |
| Child | William D. Prouty (1875 - ) |
| Child | Frank Emerson Prouty (1879 - ) |
| Father | Richard Austin Prouty (1820 - 1903) |
| Mother | Esther "Hester" Watkins (1821 - 1851) |
| Sibling | Mark C. Prouty (1840 - ) |
| Sibling | Louisa Prouty (1845 - 1845) |
| Sibling | Cecilia Margaret "Cybil" Prouty (1847 - 1929) |
| Sibling | Martha Elizabeth Prouty (1850 - 1851) |
Notes
Census
JW Prouty was listed as 17 years old and living in the household of his Uncle William Watkins, birthplace - OhioMilitary
James W. ProutySide- Union
Regiment Name 65 Illinois U.S. Infantry
Enlistment:
- Residing in Mulberry Grove, Bond Co., IL at time of enlistment
- Enlisted on Apr 1 1862 as Private
- Joined By Whom LT KNOWLES
- Period 3 YRS
Personal Characteristics
- Age 18 Height 5' 8
- Hair DARK Eyes BLUE Complexion FAIR
- Marital Status SINGLE Occupation LABORER
Mustering In information:
- Enlisted into I Company, 65th Infantry (Illinois)
- Muster In MAY 15, 1862
- Muster In at: CHICAGO, IL
- Soldier's Rank - In: Private
Mustering Out Information
- Mustered out from K Company, 65th Infantry (Illinois) on Jul 13 1865
- Mustered out at: Greensboro, North Carolina
- Soldier's Rank- Out Private
Company: I, K
Rank PVT Company K Unit 65 IL US INF CON
Muster Out: 13 July 1865
Muster Out Where: Greensboro, NC.
- Muster Out By Whom CPT SMITH
Intra-company transfers:
- Transferred from I Company to K Company on May 31 1865
- Remarks: Transfer to CO K as Consolidated
Census
Page No. 257, Post Office DeKalb, 7th of Sept. 1870, 355Prouty James, line 29, living with Teasdale Family.
1775,1775 Teasdale, Singleton 46 M W Farmer 500, 800 South Carolina
Lizza 32 F W keeping house South Carolina
James 19 M W Farm hand Mississippi
Mallie 9 F W at home "
Ellen 1 F W " "
Prouty, James 27 M W House carpenter Illinois
John Singleton Tisdale is James future brother-in-law, married to Frances Gordon's sister Sarah Elizabeth Gordon.
Marriage
Fannie was still living with her parents during the 1970 census taken 2 August, and James Will is living with her sisters family, the Tisdales, on Sept 7.But before the date of her father's will, 19 Feb. 1872, in which Frances is named Frances Jane Prouty.
Census (family)
42, 41, Brouty, William J. , Self WM married, 38, Carpenter IL IL ILFrances, Wife M Female W 39 House Keeping SC SC SC
Martha , Dau S Female W 9, At School MS IL SC
Charles G., Son S Male W 8, At School MS IL SC
Albert, Son S Male W 6 MS IL SC
William D. , Son S Male W 5 MS IL SC
Frank E., Son S Male W 1 MS IL SC
Census (family)
1900 Census. Mississippi, Lauderdale Co., SD 5, ED 24, sheet 21, Beat 3, lines 1-6.366, 366 Prouty, James, W. head W M May 1843, 57 M 9 Farming, Own, Free
Sarah M. wife W F July 1859, 40 M 9 4,4
Charles W. son W M Sept 1893, 6 S
Dora E. daughter W F March 1895 5, S
Alice P. daughter W F Apr 1897 3, S
Irene H. daughter W F Apr 1899 1, S
Census (family)
1910 Census, Mississippi, Lauderdale Co., Beat 3Proundty, J. W. Head 66, M2, 20 yrs. Alabama, Alabama, Alabama
Sarah, Wife 45, M1, 20 yrs. 8, 6, Alabama, Alabama, Alabama
Charles W. Son 17 Mississippi, Alabama, Alabama
Dora E Daughter 15 Mississippi, Alabama, Alabama
Alice P Daughter 13 Mississippi, Alabama, Alabama
Hattie I Daughter 11 Mississippi, Alabama, Alabama
Hughes, Pauline Head 84, W Georgia, Georgia, Georgia
Betty Daughter 40 Alabama, Alabama, Alabama
JW owned a farm on which he did general farming.
In 1910 Census, Lauderdale County, Miss, Pauline Craig Hughes 84 years old, is listed with J. W. Prouty and wife Sarah (Hughes) and family. Betty Hughes is also listed with the family.
Burial
James W. has a government marker.Application for Headstone
Name Date of Death Additional Information
Prouty, James W. March 30, 1915 private Union Marker Co I, 65 Ill. Inf.
Cemetery: Blackwater, Meridian Miss
To be shipped to
Mrs. JW Prouty
Daleville Miss
July 2, 1926
Endnotes
1. Bond Co., IL, Greenville Twsp. - 7/27/1860, US Federal Census (GenWeb Census Project, 1998).
2. Military Pension Certificate, granting a pension to Sallie M. Prouty, the widow of James W. Prouty. (United States of America: Bureau of Pensions, Sept. 8, 1916.).
3. Vaughan, Alice (Prouty)., Memoirs from Aline Prouty Vaughan. (Emails May 2001.).
4. National Park Service, Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System Web Page (http://165.83.221.5/cwss/ Aug 2002).
5. , compiler, Illinois State Archives (http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases.html:, 2006).
6. American Civil War Research Database, Alexander Street Press, LLC online [http://asp6new.alexanderstreet.com/cwdb/cwdb.browse.soldiers.aspx], accessed April 2008.
7. US Federal Government, 1870 census for Kemper Co., Mississippi. (read 6/2001, Nancy Prouty).
8. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1870 > MISSISSIPPI > KEMPER > DEKALB P O Series: M593 Roll: 733 Page: 355.
9. Wyborny, Sheila., Family history on Nonnie Hughes descendants. (Houston, TX: Sheila Wyborny,
10. US Federal Government, 1870 census for Kemper Co., Mississippi. (read 6/2001, Nancy Prouty).
11. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints., Transcription of the United States Federal Population Census - 1880 (http://www.familysearch.org/ Oct. 2002), Meridian, Lauderdale, Mississippi. Family History Library Film 1254653, NA Film Number T9-0653, Page Number 3A.
12. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1880 > MISSISSIPPI > LAUDERDALE > MERIDIAN CITY; MERIDIAN Series: T9 Roll: 653 Page: 3.
13. "Mississippi Marriages, 1800-1911," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/: accessed 29 November 2013), J. W. Prouty and Sallie M. Hughes, 1891.
14. 1900 U.S. Federal Population Census. Mississippi, Lauderdale Co. (read April 7, 2003 by Nancy Prouty).
15. US Federal Population Census, 1910, Mississippi, Lauderdale Co. (read Dec 26, 2001 by Nancy Prouty), SD 5, ED 55, sheet 24B (285) line 83.
16. Sheely, Craig Hughes., Hughes family history from letters sent to Chuck and Marjorie Prouty. (Meridian, MS: Jan 27, 1993.).
17. Sheely, Craig Hughes., Hughes family history from letters sent to Chuck and Marjorie Prouty. (Meridian, MS: Jan 27, 1993.).
18. Kemper Co., USGenWeb., Blackwater Baptist Cemetery Transcriptions. Recorded August 1982 by McRae Limerick. Typed by Marsha Bryant. (