• Full Citation: "'Absent So Long from Those I Love': The Civil War Letters of Joshua Jones," ed. Eugene H. Berwanger, Indiana Magazine of History 88, no. 3 (September 1992): 205-239.
• Home: Delaware County (Muncie)
• Year: 1861-1862
• Regiment: 19th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Co. E
• Engagement: Antietam
• Abstract: Jones’ (1838-1862) letters date from August 11, 1861-September 6, 1862, and most were written to his wife, Celia. Early in his service, Jones was preoccupied with his death, suggesting often that he would not make it, and signing his letters “your husband until death.” As the war progressed he became homesick (p. 217), exchanged locks of hair with his wife (p. 220), but then felt a burst of hope for coming home (p. 226). The article concludes with 3 letters to Celia (1 by a surgeon, 2 by compatriots) concerning Joshua's surgery and later death from the gangrenous effects of leg amputation after Antietam. The article contains maps, images of Jones' letters, and images of the aftermath of Antietam.
• Sample Text:
  1. "keep in good Spirits Dear for they cant kill me I am coming home if any bod[y] does then we will have a good time the balance of our lives" (Alexandria, Va., April 2, 1862, p. 226)
• LC Subject Headings:
  1. United States. Army. Indiana Infantry Regiment, 19th (1861-1864)
  2. Antietam, Battle of, Md., 1862

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