“To the Cannons Mouth”
“To the Cannon's Mouth”
Sgt. Thomas H. Seals
Location: Washington DC
Date: Sometime before November 1863
Unit: Company C, 7th Wisconsin Volunteers (Iron Brigade)
The Seals family is pretty much plaid out James and Tom is all that dair risk their lives for their country. Johns James is in the army he is a brave man. All of the Mcleland family has played out. I long to see them and let them what I think of them. They will not want to see me but an mere time.
They have all ? me from their roles but I do not cair if my relatives drop me my friends will take me up and they are in the west waiting for me to return to my peaceful home. I am not afraid to face death in all of its horrible shapes. Here in the army if I fall my friends will not let me be neglected. My name must and shall live so let my relatives do their worst They cannot hurt me in the least.
Same of my relatives is down on me because I am for the Union and denounce them as traitors those men must keep clear from me for I love the stars and stripes more now then ever. They have cost me many hardships and I love them all the more. If my father was to pull it down I should shoot him as soon as any other man. I am for the Union and Constitution and I am ready to go to the cannons mouth to affirm what I say.
I will close for I am getting excited.
Remember me to all of my brothers and sisters and to all my friends
And the ladys ?
From your love,
Thomas H. Seals
Co. C 7th Regt Wis Vol
Iron Brigade
Via Washington
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Biography:
Thomas Seals was born in Waynesburg PA, June 8th, 1833 and moved to Hazel Green, Wisconsin by 1855 perhaps to find work. Thomas was very involved in advocating for Abraham Lincoln’s presidency as a young adult.
Thomas would be part of a group known as the Wide Awakes who would take part in demonstrations and would wear matching uniforms consisting of a cape and a black hat, often covered in canvas. They would carry all sorts of noise makers in order to draw attention to themselves during these demonstrations. As we now know, Abraham Lincoln would win the election and become the 16th President of the United States, thus starting the next chapter of Thomas Seals’ life.
Thomas Seals would enlist very early into the war effort. He enlisted on August 15th, 1861, in Platteville, Wisconsin. He would be mustered into Co. C of the 7th Wisconsin Infantry as a Color Sgt. This was a very honorable position to have as you would be responsible for carrying the flag or colors for the regiment. This was also particularly dangerous as enemies would often attempt to shoot down the colors. These colors helped officers to know what units were on the battlefield and where they were located. Regiments were very proud of their flags and would fight to keep them from going down; some would even take up the flag after it had gone down.
The 7th Wisconsin would become known as part of the Iron Brigade because of their bravery and strength during notable battles such as: Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. The name "Iron Brigade" came from a remark made by General George B. McClellan when he saw the brigade advancing under a murderous fire during the Battle of South Mountain in September 1862. General McClellan had asked Gen Hooker who the men fighting at the pike were. When he was informed of their identity, McClellan responded, “They must be made of iron.”
Thomas was captured at Haymarket, VA and would later be released. This letter was written before this, and in the letter, you can tell that he is a very patriotic soldier. He is upset in the letter that someone has questioned his position and beliefs and goes as far to say that he would go to the cannon's mouth. By this point, he had definitely seen plenty and proved his beliefs. He was mustered out February 2nd, 1865 after almost 4 years of service. Thomas would move back home and start a family. He would eventually move out to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he would die of old age 84 in 1917.
