January 1861
February 1861
March 1861

Webmaster: griffing@fnal.gov

-- 1861 -- 

January - August 1861; Goodrich teaching school in Little Rock AR

September - December 1861; Goodrich serving in Confederate Army

[Editor’s Note:  From March 11, 1861 to April 6, 1862, there is no surviving diary record by Ralph Goodrich. During this period of time, Arkansas seceded from the Union and joined the Confederate State of America. It is conjectured that Ralph Goodrich did his best to remain out of the Confederate service but in September 1861 he joined Company A (known as the Capitol Guards) of the 6th Arkansas Infantry. Shortly after joining, Ralph’s Company was sent to Kentucky but did not engage in any major battles and spent the majority of the winter of 1861-62 hunkered down near Bowling Green. In the Spring, Ralph accompanied his company on their retreat to Corinth, Mississippi but managed to obtain a premature discharge in March 1862. Correspondence following the war makes it clear that Ralph faked (or at least exaggerated) his ill health in order to be released from service. Just three weeks after his discharge, Company A and the rest of Ralph’s comrades in the 6th Arkansas entered what was to be, at that time, the bloodiest battle of the war – the Battle of Shiloh. Ralph, on the other hand, returned to Little Rock and resumed teaching school. Though there are no diary entries for this period of time, there are a number of letters that have survived to give some clue as to what Ralph was doing in the months just before and one letter near the end of his Confederate service. The first letter addressed to Ralph Goodrich was from his cousin Jim Fiddis who was working as a machinist in Alexandria, Virginia. It reads:]  

March 24, [1861]   Alexandria, Louisiana  

Dear Cousin. Your letter of January 28th was duly received, but as you will observe, it has not been duly answered. Of course you will excuse my negligence. I remain in excellent health & have not been homesick in the least. This is a very dull place – no excitement of any kind. But that makes little difference to me for I work ten hours everyday and after supper take a walk up the levee in front of the town and back to the house, sit down a  little while, and then “gentle slumber ‘ore me glide.”  

And some evenings we go out in front of the house, sit upon the levee and look at old “Red” [1] as she rolls on to the “sea.” Sometimes four & five boats chance to meet here at the same time. There are a great many first class boats in this trade. A little while ago, the “Roberts” went down [the river] with a band of music aboard playing “ Dixie .” She makes the trip from New Orleans to Shreveport & back every week. That is fast running. The “Grand Era” has been running it all winter till two or three weeks since she smashed her machinery. They worked her too hard. Now the “Round & Bros” are trying the “Roberts.”  

I am not very well posted in the “news of the day” but about here everyone is steadfast & true to their newly organized Government and will fight to the last if needs be. I am a citizen of the “Southern” Republic and in my profession represent a “Southern Mechanic.” And if it becomes necessary to fight the Federal troops you can count me in.  

You wrote me that you had a situation in view in this place. Was it in the State Seminary? You inquired about the society of this place. That is something that I am perfectly ignorant of for since I have been here, I have not spoken to a lady with the exception of Mrs. Stevens [2] & her sister and only then to say good morning or how-do-you-do. Stevens keeps part of the hands & McElroy [3] (his partner) the balance. I board with McElroy and we keep bachelor’s hall. I assure you, we do not have many formalities or much ceremony in our style of living. I am very well pleased and think I shall stay all summer – at least as long as I can agree with my employers.  

The other day I received a letter from [my sister] Annie and one from [my other sister] Lucy. And also one from Taylor – a young man that boarded with mother. They were all well at home [in Owego, New York]. We are having right fine weather. The planters have planted their corn and are putting in their cotton.

Please write soon. From your affectionate cousin, -- James Fiddis  

[Editor’s Note:  The next letter [4] was from Augusta Griffing, Ralph’s sister. She and her husband, Rev. James S. Griffing, lived on a farm about three miles east of Topeka, Kansas, with their two young boys, John and Willie. At the time this letter was written, Kansans were experiencing a severe drought.]  

April 21. 1861    Topeka, Kansas  

Dear brother Ralph. Yours of March 26th was received in due time and was sorry to hear you had been sick, though I should not wonder if you did have some fever this summer & fall. But I hope you are where you will have good care. You must take good care of yourself too. Keep [your] feet dry & do not be out in the night air or get wet if you can help it. And a sponge bath every day will prevent much sickness. We are in about usual health. The boys have the whooping cough & cough pretty hard, but so far have got along very well. Johnny says he has the hooking cough & caughs “ite stait along” and often asks if we don’t feel sorry for him.  

It is quite warm & has been for a day or two, & the wheat & grass look green & nice. We have had fine rains this spring, but we need a shower now. [The] grass would come on faster. The wind is blowing hard & that generally brings rain excepting in time of drouth.  

The last news from [Owego] all were well. Conference was to commence the week the letter was written.  

Our [Methodist Annual] conference here was at Atchison & while there, James received two boxes – one from [Owego] & one smaller from his relatives in Illinois. Both contained a great many garden seeds & some dried apples & currants & black & raspberries. The one from Illinois [contained] a cheese (excellent) & both had some dried beef in. All were very nice here where we have no vegetables yet. All have put in plenty of garden & some of the seeds are coming up which they did not do last year. The prospect for living is quite encouraging. But the sad news of war has reached us. We hoped the difficulties would be settled without shedding of blood & now there is no knowing where it will end.  

You speak of sending us money. I had rather you would keep it yourself and thank you just the same as if you had sent it. We shall get along. Our friends have been very kind indeed or we could not have done as well. I think the hardest is over if we continue to have rain.  

You must use your own judgment in regards to buying land. Living there you would know more about it than we, although for myself I should prefer to be free from debt first. But I am one of the kind like Pa, I guess, that hate debt & would be glad to get out & keep out and never owe a penny. I think land must be very cheap there. Are the taxes high & can you get good title deeds? Arkansas is said to be a very rich country.  

I suppose it’s your vacation now and how I wish you were nearer us so as to spend it here. I think it would do you good. What shall you be doing?  

James Goodrich [our brother] is still in Topeka. [He] talks of going to Pike’s Peak. Jacob Orcutt has had an attack of fever, but is getting better. Nancy & children keep well. Have you heard from Uncle [Elizur Goodrich] lately? The last I heard they were intending to leave Hartford & go to where his mill is & board there this summer thinking it would be better for his business. Several large business firms in Hartford have failed lately. Thatcher & Stillman, the one’s Uncle was with [previously] have failed too.  

James is writing to you also, so if there is any news, you will probably get it all. The Legislature is in session at Topeka & have elected the Senators – Pomeroy & Lane – and they have gone to Washington. Write often as you can and take good care of yourself. With much love, I am ever your affectionate sister, -- J. A. Griffing  

[Editor’s Note: The following letter [5] from James Griffing was enclosed in the same envelope:]  

April 21, 1861  Topeka, [Kansas]  

Dear Bro. Ralph.  I don’t know why you should insist upon me personally & individually writing to you for since Cutie [Augusta] & I twain become one, I have always trusted her as my spokesman in matters of this kind knowing that she could always generally tell what I wanted to say better than I could myself and then she always keeps posted in just those matters you would be glad to hear about so that I have always thought it the [better] part of wisdom to keep mum myself.  

I notice there is quite a difference in the price of land here & there. And also quite a difference between there & in some parts of Florida. Here it is held at two cents an acre. What should make all the difference?  Is it because white labor is considered degrading and poor whites are banished from the country from the nature of circumstances and this making a surplus of unimproved land? Or is it from inducements held out to attract settlers thitherward? Or is it because the land has become on the account of taxation a burden to the present owners and they glad to rid themselves of it at some rate? I should think the land up and down those river bottoms must be as rich as land here. But along the Kansas valley you have to pay more by the acre than for your whole 160.  

Does the Palmetto flag wave over Little Rock? In case of war, will Arkansas stand by the Union? Is a man allowed to speak his mind? When are you coming to see us? I wrote another sheet but concluded not to send it as it might be received incendiary. [Your brother]  Jim would be glad to see you before he goes to the Peak. Crops are looking finely now. We are looking for better times. Write often. Ever yours, -- James  

[Editor’s Note: Several weeks after the outbreak of hostilities between North and South and Arkansas’s withdrawal from the Union, Ralph received the following letter [6] from his mother and sister Sarah. Apparently mail from the North was still being delivered though this appears to have been the last letter he would receive from home until Little Rock fell to Federal forces in September 1863.]  

May 26, 1861   Owego [New York]  

My dear Ralph.  It has been two weeks since I wrote to you. In that time we have received one from you. You write that you hear that mail is to be stopped between the North and the South. I hope not for any length of time, for we want very much to hear from you, and hope we shall often. We think Mrs. Syberg is very kind to offer to board you through the vacation. We hope your school will prosper and the number of your scholars increases. We are all usually well this morning. Stephen and Mary have gone to church. Sarah has been quite unwell for 2 weeks past. She has had a number of Job’s comforters [7] – one that has been over two weeks coming has broke this morning and she looks and feels better already.  Your father got tired out and took cold planting corn week before last. It was very cold. They said it was cold enough to wear mittens, and [he] was quite sick a week ago, but is better now but did not feel well enough to go to church. They have got there corn and potatoes planted and yesterday Nic [Cortright] helped Stephen plaster. I got black Lucy to come and wash and help us two days last week. Sarah is so unwell she cannot work  Mary went up to see Mr. John Taylor yesterday, but Mrs. Whyte would not let her go in to see him. He is crazy nearly all the time. Mrs. Whyte asked Mary if I took Burns home. She said Mr. Taylor gave that book to Ellen several months ago for knitting for him and they would give $5.00 rather than to have it. Now what shall I do? Give up the book or not? Please write and tell me.

We had a letter from Augusta. They are all well. Her children are having whooping cough but are having it light. You must remember you never have had the whooping cough. I hope you don’t think that you are not going to pay Mr. Platt [for the suit of clothes he made you]. I do hope you will pay him and pay as soon as you can for he is waiting his pay. It is hard times for us this summer. Butter is only 12 cents a pound, and eggs 9 and 10 cents a dozen. And that is all I have to get things with and pay my debts. I have paid all except to George B. Goodrich’s [store] and half of that is what I got for you. Two of our cows have not come in yet. We have only two new milch cows now.  

Col. Ellsworth [8] was shot [and killed] at Alexandria Friday. He was to be brought to New York this morning and on to Mechanicsville today where his father lives near Troy. I suppose there will be fighting near you soon. I cannot write any more at present. I have written to Augusta and must rest. Goodbye, -- [Mother]  

Colonel Ellsworth is killed in Alexandria, Virginia

Dear Ralph. Ma has left a little place which I will fill up. It is such miserable cold weather here all the time. It takes one’s ambition all away. The season is so backward, nothing comes forward & the fruit will be scarce this year. It is very exciting times here now. A battle is any day anticipated [and] will take place at or near Alexandria. We hear some of the Southern mails are stopped but I hope you will get this & that we shall receive all of yours. Am glad your school keeps up the number. Hope you will be able before long to pay Platt.  [Your cousin] Lucy Fiddis has not come home yet. Aunt Lucy [Fiddis] has a good girl & gets along well. I believe she has but three or four boarders now. You are not going to stop writing to [your cousin] Lucy Stratton are you?  

Write home often as you can. We think of you very often. Goodbye. Ever your affectionate sister, -- Sarah [Goodrich]  

[Editor’s Note:  Not satisfied with his teaching position in Little Rock and desiring, perhaps, to move away from the battlefront, Ralph began searching for a situation elsewhere. The following letter[9] was addressed to Rev. William E. Phillips of Donaldson, Louisiana.]  

May 30, 1861   Little Rock [Arkansas]  

Dear Sir.  I have been advised to enquire of you if you know of any situation for a teacher in your Parish which I could procure. I am a graduate of Hobart College, New York, of the class of 1858, since which time I have been teaching, and for nearly the two past years in the South. I am a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Together with the classics & mathematics, I can instruct beginners in French, German, & Spanish. My recommendations are from the Faculty of the College & from Major George T. Ward & Ex Governor Brown, both of Tallahassee, Florida. Could you render me any assistance, I would be greatly obliged to you.  Yours respectfully, -- Ralph L. Goodrich  

[Editor’s Note: A little over a month later, still in Little Rock, Ralph wrote to his college chum Henry Handerson who was teaching school in Alexandria, Louisiana at the time. The letter [10] reads:]  

July 1, 1861   Little Rock [Arkansas]  

Dear Handerson.  I received your letter on the 29th but no mail leaves for the South until today. I am very much obliged to you for your kind offer and I will accept it as I can do no better here. I thought several weeks ago that I had a very good place secured in the country about twenty miles from this place, but I understand that the gentleman who is now teaching there intends to remain. I had agreed to go if he left. I saw one of the trustees and he says the teacher is going to stay; consequently my engagement is not binding. Write me whether you are in a school or [working] as a private tutor, the number of scholars, and degree of advancement. And tell me if you know the best rout to get there. I think if the Red River is navigable now, that it will be the best way to go down the Arkansas [River] and the Mississippi [River] to the mouth of the Red [River], then up it to Alexandria. To go by stage the whole distance would cost more than I can afford. Do the gentleman or gentlemen for whom you are teaching wish to engage me if you give up the school? I like your notion of going to war, and if I were able, I should too. I cannot stand the infantry services on account of my rheumatic legs, and I can’t join the cavalry for I am unable to get a horse. You will remain there until I can come, will you not? I hardly think the war will be carried on vigorously, if it is at all, until after the meeting of the U.S. Congress. It is vacation now & I have nothing to do.  Yours fraternally, -- R. L. Goodrich  

[P.S.] I will go when I receive your letter if you wish it.  

[Editor’s Note: A month later, Ralph was still in Little Rock where he penned to the following letter [11] to James M. Mathews, his teaching colleague, who was then visiting his family in Kentucky:]  

August 5, 1861   Little Rock [Arkansas]  

Dear Friend.  It has been about six weeks since you left & not a word have I nor anybody else in this town received [word] from you, though people almost daily receive letters from Kentucky. What’s the matter? You see by this [letter] that I am [still] here, but I did not expect to be when I wrote you before. I have failed to get Dr. Wheat’s school & in all probability that [teaching position] in Louisiana, so I am up a large stump. My money is getting low & I can get nothing to do – so low (the money) that I could not get off [from here] if I wanted to. Faust wants to hear from you. His trip to the South I reckon was a fizzle. Have you heard from those checks? I think you can get letters here by addressing them to B. Whitesides, Franklin, Kentucky & he will forward them from Nashville. I enclose this in an envelope addressed to him in which I put 15 cents. That is according to advertisement. Please write soon & relieve an anxious community.  Yours respectfully, -- R. L. Goodrich  

The Ralph Goodrich Collection is the property of the Arkansas History Commission.