• Full Citation: Jacob W. Bartmess, "Jacob W. Bartmess Civil War Letters," ed. Donald F. Carmony, Indiana Magazine of History 52, no. 2 (June 1956): 157-186.
• Home: Jay County (New Corydon)
• Year: 1864-1865
• Regiment: 39th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 8th Calvary, Co. C
• Abstract: This is the second set of Bartmess's letters to his wife and their children, covering January 1864 until Barmess's discharge in July 1865. Until mid-December 1864, Bartmess was involved in picket duty or small skirmishes in various parts of Tennessee, until his regiment was transferred to North Carolina (via Georgia). He served on guard duty at various places in North Carolina through July 1865. He missed his family, was bored, lamented the lack of Christian faith among soldiers and officers, and expressed his anger at Southern sympathizers in the North.
• Sample Text:
  1. "Amanda I always was in favor of the administration and the war, and am yet, but there is a great evil right at the heart of the whole thing. that evil is, the war is carried on and led, principally by wicked and God dareing men. Indeed when we consider that war within itself is wicked, and the awful henious wicknedness, of the army, we must conclude that it is the only the amazeing and unlimited mercy of God, in favor of right, that will give us victory over our enemies." (Aug. 20, 1864, Camp Smith, Tenn., p. 170)
  2. "As you say, the death of Mr. Lincoln is a sad affair to the nation, but it is still worse for the rebels and the infamous wretches who plotted his death; for it leaves in his stead a man who will deal out to them the stern realities of the law." (Durham Station, NC, May 30, 1865, p. 182)
• LC Subject Headings:
  1. United States. Army. Indiana Cavalry Regiment, 8th (1863-1865)
  2. Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 Assassination Public opinion Sources

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