“General Scared to Death”

“General Scared to Death”

Lt. Colonel Francis H. West

Location: Columbus, Kentucky

Date: Sunday, July 19, 1863

Unit: 31st Wisconsin Infantry

Dear Wife,

I received yours of the 12th last night. I forgot to acknowledge the receipt of the handkerchief sent in a newspaper. I suppose the reason I forgot it was that the handkerchief was so small. Since you left, I have roomed alone, the adjutant stopping with the Major. The Major has gone out to Union City today with four companies to see what he can find. 

There are just reels enough a raiding around here to keep the general scared to death without being enough so that we can corner them and get up any fight. They are well mounted and in this timbered country it is impossible for infantry to catch them. They simply prowl around and “gobble” any small squad they can find away from the main force.

The weather is quite hot again but the sun does not affect me much as I have got so thin that it shines right through me without making any shadow. I do not know whether I shall be able to get a leave of absence i September or not. Field officers for duty are so very scarce here now, it will be difficult for me to get away.

I hope you will not get slack in money matters again. We must save some to commence business with when the war is over. If we do not get paid by the first of August, you will have to send me some money, but do not send only until I send for it.

Evening. The regiment has got back. No enemy found. Everything dull, hot and tedious. Affectionately yours, — Frank

Do write. Tell about the children and everything else

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Biography:

Francis Henry West was born in Charlestown, New Hampshire in 1825. When he was 20, he moved to Wisconsin and worked in the lumber industry. It was there he became interested in current affairs, and in 1853, he represented Green County in the Wisconsin state senate. He was well traveled as he had accompanied a couple of groups going to California from New York, which during this time was becoming more common but still was not an easy journey to make.

Francis joined the Army on August 28, 1862 as a Lieutenant Colonel with the 31st Wisconsin and left Wisconsin in March of 1863. This letter was written not too long after this time in July of that same year. Around this time, the 31st was involved in skirmishing and light fighting in southern Illinois and north western Kentucky. He talks about this in the letter with mention of the rebels being elusive, on horseback, and riding through heavily wooded areas. Cavalry skirmishes and mounted infantry regularly harassed infantry guarding logistics (railroads/trails) and other supplies. They often targeted small groups to quickly overpower them and then withdraw into the woods until the next planned strike. 

The 31st Wisconsin would eventually be moved down to Murfreesboro, TN and would remain stationed there to guard the railways until July 5th, 1864 when they were assigned to travel to the front of the Atlanta Campaign. They were assigned to put up fortifications around Atlanta to prepare for a siege on the city. They would also take part in the Battle of Bentonville where they would take some of the heaviest casualties to date after repelling the Confederate attacks on their position. The 31st Wisconsin was called back to Washington, DC and Andrew Johnson actually put in a recommendation for Francis to be named an honorary Brigadier General for his actions at Bentonville.

Francis returned home to his wife, Emma Rittenhouse, and would go on to have a total of 7 children. He continued to be heavily involved in business and eventually even served on the committee on State Affairs until 1874. Francis West died from an injury from a fall while on a trip to New York on March 6th, 1896 from his injuries.