Those the rebels don't shoot, they manage to kill in some other way

I received a Topeka paper this evening and I knew you would be anxious – as I have been – to hear. I will just enclose the names as furnished by the papers of those killed, wounded, & taken prisoners [at the Battle of Westport]. You will see that James Alverson is among the killed and a great many of our acquaintances and friends are among the numbers, especially the prisoners. Bro. [Osborn] Naylor is a prisoner. Also Bro. Hoback, Mr. Kiser’s son, Frank Dawson, Luther Palmer, John Markham & a host of others. An individual who was taken prisoner & escaped the second night says that there were in the hands of the enemy 105 prisoners, mostly Kansas Militia and Kansas men. Says the prisoners were stripped of their overcoats and in some instances of their boots & other clothing & robbed of their money. They were kept at the head of the column and a great deal of the time on the double quick. Said they suffered much for the want of food & clothing & had no blankets to sleep on. There are, by this paper, some 61 from Shawnee County yet prisoners. How many may get home alive, God only knows. When a wife only knows her husband is dead, then she knows he is free from suffering so far as this world is concerned, but to know that her husband is in the hands of these inhuman wretches, obliged to drag out a life more intolerable than death itself, seems almost past endurance. I most deeply sympathize with those in such deep distress in the account of absent men but can only commend them to the care of Him who says “These light afflictions which are but for a moment shall work out for us a far more exceeding and an eternal weight of glory.”

I sent you a letter the past week and thought after it was mailed that it was probably written too hasty, but our house here seemed so lonesome – its light & cheerfulness all departed. And myself in possession of so little of what means I would want to make a visit home agreeable, and then the time so limited that I could stay & it so late in the season. I made a proposition to meet you over the worst of the way and accompany you home if you thought best, but in thinking it all over, it seems too hard to call you away after getting your mind fixed on remaining [all winter in Owego] and I shall not insist on your coming. If you conclude it not best to come, I will try and do the best I can until after my last Quarterly meeting when I shall try and come home on a visit. It will take place about the middle of February. But you may be afraid that the time will seem like an age, the weary days like weeks.

I have managed to get the front room of our house very comfortable now so that a little wood makes the room very cosy & nice. But I notice it is getting very late. Tomorrow I preach at Seneca & Turkey Creek & a week from tomorrow in our Quarterly meeting on Turkey Creek. The neighbors very often inquire after you. Bro. [Luther B.] Jones left today with a load for Denver. Bro. [John] Dabner goes with him to drive a team for Mr. Rice. Dear, kiss all the children for me. Keep them in good subjection. Have them know their place. Do just as you deem best about coming. I shall be satisfied either way. Please write oftener. Don’t wait for me as there are four of you away. I shall want to hear from you just 4 times as often as you do from me. Mrs. Lipscomb & family moved to Topeka today. Her sister Mary is going to Illinois to teach & she goes to keep house for her father. Good night my dearest. Your husband, -- James

May the good Lord protect you & the children is the prayer of your absent husband. How thankful should we be that it is so well with us & [that I am] not a prisoner at the mercy of the rebels.

P.S. Do you get all my letters? How many have your received up to the present date? Good night. Kisses for my boys [several O’s] & yourself.

Your letter written at Kansas City the day of the battle has been received. I had heard that there had been a battle & that [General] Price had been defeated, but I had no idea that your company was in the midst of it. I am thankful you were not engaged in fighting and hope none of our friends and acquaintance are killed or prisoners, but fear Capt. Hannum’s Company was not well treated. Hope you have written about them and that your next letter will tell of their safety. Did you go over the battlefield? I hope you could. Did you see Henry Winans? And did his company fight? I want to hear you tell all about it. And is Price driven away for good, or will he return again this winter? Or will there be enough of the regular soldiers there to keep him back?

I feel anxious to get your next letter as I think that will tell whether you are coming back this fall or not. If you come, I will have to hurry up my visiting & getting ready. I have done nothing about the likenesses [photographs] yet. John’s hickory nuts are not sold yet. They are very small and will not sell. The larger ones did not bear this year.

It is a beautiful day and [my sister] Sarah and I are going to church. All are well this morning but Ma. She has a cold and headache and does not feel well enough to go out. It has been a cloudy & wet fall. We only have a pleasant day now and then, but I hope we shall now it has cleared away.

Tuesday [my sister] Sarah took the children and self up on the hill. We spent the day and night with [your sister] Mary [Pike] & your mother, & the next day at [your brother] Samuel’s. [Samuel’s son] David brought us home Wednesday night. We had a good visit all around. Mary’s not well at all but your mother enjoys as good health as I ever knew a person of her age. She works very hard. She & Mary gave me yarn for you & me each a pair of stockings. David is a very pretty boy. Ella goes to school in town. Samuel has very poor health. If he keeps quiet, he gets along very well, but if he works any he is laid up with a lame back. [Your brother-in-law] Grove [Pike] is not very well. Their trip south was a bad one for both. Grove has everything to buy.

After meeting. We went to the post office this noon & found a letter from you written after you reached Lincoln. I was glad to hear you were safely home again & am sorry for those who lost friends in the battle [of Westport]. I did not think when I left that there would be such a time there so soon. If it is safe to travel & [General] Price has gone, I think probably you had better come on after your minister’s meeting. Mrs. Curtis wants I should go there & I would like to if it will answer just as well. If not, do as you think best. Your mother says she wishes you would stop & see her brother in Michigan as you come on.

I wish you would bring my furs when you come. I think they are in the bureau. If not, [they] must be in that large box or trunk upstairs. You had better wear those flannel drawers & wrapper & not bring any unless you stay more than two or three weeks. Ma will have some stockings knit, so only bring the one pair you wear & that overcoat that I brought from Hartford is in that large box. Wear that [and] don’t forget your tippet [hat].

Don’t forget to have some flour in the house & other eatables if you can. Will anything be done to the house this fall? There is a bottle of gooseberries on the lower shelf of the [pie] safe. That & the bottle of ink ought to be taken to Mr. Stinson’s or somewhere to keep [them] from freezing until I get there. How shall you manage to get from Atchison to Lincoln? Our folks think we ought to stay this winter where we can be comfortable & out of danger but I don’t know how you could get along unless compelled to. And on the children’s account I had rather be where you are. Give my love to all inquirers. I have written to Carrie [Winans] again. – Augusta

You will see that it is election day and a very severe wintry day it is – just about as cold or colder as that day when Bro. Curtis sold their things and it has so much reminded me of that day that I have just written them a letter. The hail has fallen to about the depth of an inch and when driven by the piercing North wind, it did seem as if it would cut holes in one’s face every time. The chickens have not been out of the hen house and [my horse] Fanny has shivered as if she would desire a change. Yesterday’s Leavenworth papers state that [Gen.] Blunt has driven [Gen.] Price almost to the Arkansas line [and] that in a battle southeast of Ft. Scott, the Shawnee Co. prisoners made their escape. I hope such is the case. They have had a [Shawnee] County mass meeting and resolved to disinter the dead and bring them to the Topeka Cemetery and bury them and erect a suitable monument to their memory at the expense of the county. Have you had a letter from Sister Hannum or Naylor since the battle? Or from Sister Winans? If so please tell me what they say as all I know is through the papers.

I do wish it was so that I could come & spend the winter there. If it should continue such weather as this, I hope you will not start to come back & should you conclude it was best to come, please let me know in good time beforehand. I suppose your Mother & Sarah think it cruel in me to ask you to come home this fall and should I be seen coming after you would not receive a very warm reception. And as you have staid in Kansas so long & faithful, it may be I do wrong even to ask it. But then if we should place one of them away out here alone in a house by themselves on these prairies and their companion & little ones gone, I think then they would feel different. After all, I think I can manage to get along after a fashion for the winter and it will give me a little longer to stay when I do come. I feel most concerned about the boys. I hope you will keep an eye on them. Don’t let them have their own head, but have them mind you always and be sure to have Johnny read regularly. I am glad he assists some. He might save a good many steps for Stephen and I want him to mind him and be a good boy.

I received a letter from [my Presiding] Elder Taylor saying he was at home sick and I am afraid will not be at my Quarterly meeting. Bro. Coleman married Sister Carnise the other day on their way from Leavenworth & they live in Sister C’s house. Sister Avery has a little boy. Things are about as usual about town here. [Sophronia,] Mrs. Jim Jones heeled a pair of socks for me last week. She is real good about looking after my things.

Have just returned from counting the votes. There was only one Copperhead out of 51 votes cast here at Lincoln – we think Father Abraham is safe. [1] Did you get his likeness I sent you? If so, please tell who Gen. Sherman makes you think of. Now Cutie, write often. Let me know how you all are. Should you stay there, it may be necessary for me to send you money or else sell the land [you inherited from your father] and spend what you must. The remainder I should keep on interest and use none of the principal. Please write soon as you get this. I would rather you would let no one read this. Ever your own husband, -- James

Another Quarterly meeting is over and I have just arrived at home. It is snowing & very cold acting as if winter had set in real earnest. There has been snow on the ground ever since the 7th inst. and most of the time quite cold, especially for the time of year. Oh how glad I should have been to have found yourself & children here when I returned. The [Presiding] Elder was not at the Quarterly Meeting and I had to do [all] the preaching myself with the exception of Sabbath afternoon when Dr. Edwards, Rosa’s father, who was present, preached. I received a letter from him (the Presiding Elder) about two weeks before the meeting stating that he was at home sick and I have not heard from him since. And I suppose he is unwell. Our collections were light. If you have concluded to stay through the winter, I could send you some money by letter if you think it best, but I think it would be attended with some risk. I hope you will all keep well.

You ask about sending [our son] Johnny to school. If you could get along without it, you know it would be my preference not to have him go. So far as learning is concerned, I would much rather he would not read a word than to go and learn the low vocabulary of many of the schoolboys. I think with a little care, he would learn more in half an hour at home than all day at school. And as Bro. Curtis would say, “Not near as much badness.” But you know best just how matters are and what will be his surroundings at school and must act accordingly. Were it at home here, it would not take me long to decide. He is just at an age where he needs a great deal of watching & care. And a little attention now may save whole years of sorrow & anguish. It is for this reason that I would like to share the responsibility of his training for it is very great.

When I came home this afternoon, I got me cloth for a pair of pants at Mr. [Charles] Scrafford’s Store [in Seneca], his subscription, costing $7.25 lining & all, and will try and get Mother Philips to make them for me. I think I shall have clothes a plenty to answer me here and I guess to do me when I come for you. I received a letter from Bro. Curtis last week. He says they are making quite a reckoning on our coming there and stopping with them a few days. Have you heard from our old place [near Topeka] since the battle [of Westport] and what do they write? I understand [Gen.] Price has paroled all his prisoners, which I hope is true.

Our south room is very comfortable since I put the partition through. It does not seem to take much wood and is a very great savings and much more comfortable than could possibly have been made otherwise.

Do you see my mother often? I wish you would go and stay with her a week or two. I know she would like it. Have our people heard from [my sister] Clarissa or [brother] Ossy lately? I have not. I don’t see why they don’t write. Do you get all my letters? How many have you received & written since I returned from the war. Did you get one I put some licorice in for the children?

Now Cutie. Please write often. Use your own judgment with regard to your land. I shall probably not come on until sometime in February. A kiss for all the children. Love to all. Your affectionate husband, -- James

Two letters have come from you the past week – one containing the proposition to meet you at Mr. Curtis ought to have been here two weeks ago but came with one mailed the 10th. I want you should come here before I go back and not put off your visit here two or three years longer. If too late, and you do not think best to come this fall, it may all be for the best. On some account, I had rather be there & on others here. And if our home was here, would rather live in this part of the world.

Ma nor [my sister] Sarah are well and they would like to have me stay this winter. It would be easier for them if I should. Still, I hate to have you stay there alone. I have been doing what I could towards getting ready to go back this fall and shall still look for you a couple of weeks longer. I hope I have not written anything that has made you think I did not care to go back this winter. I certainly have not intended to. I hate to leave you so long alone, although I am glad not to have been there during the troubles. If we should stay here this winter, I think it best to send [our son] John to school. There is a man teacher & I think he would do better than at home. People wonder I do not send him now. He wants to go.

Friday afternoon, Mrs. Powell Woodbridge & her daughter Louise came here & said Nancy & Lucy & Jack Van Kirk & Wilbur came down the day before & were coming here that afternoon. They soon came & Aunt Lucy Fiddis with them. After tea, Jack took Aunt Lucy home & brought George Stratton & Lucy Fiddis & Jack Goodrich back with him. All spent the evening here and Nancy & Lucy & Mrs. Woodridge & daughter staid all night. We had a great visit. Jack said you must be sure & come out there when you come here. The Newfield people were well. Mrs. Percival Dudley (and Miss Puff) went west to see a sister & on returning was taken with sore throats, & so badly that they stopped at Elmira where she had an Aunt & only lived a few days. She had diphtheria. Caroline Cox is teaching & the old people are able to go to church some. Wilbur [Stratton] is coming to Owego to go to school this winter & is to board at Aunt Lucy’s.

Yesterday I visited with Lucy & Nancy at Aunt Ruth’s & in the evening all of us were at Aunt Lucy’s. They expect to go in the morning.

[Our daughter] Mary has two or three sores on the side of her head and face & I fear it is going to be as it was when she was a few months old. They began to spread & I thought would injure her looks much [so my sister] Sarah & I took her over & had likenesses [photographs] taken [of her] for 50 cents. She would not sit still & we feared we should not get any but finally succeeded in getting one very dark. The features are good but it is too dark. Still, it is better than none. They ask $2.25 for half a dozen card photographs with two together such as I want of John & Willie & $3.50 a dozen with one figure. They are very high, like everything else. When John’s face gets well, I hope to have the boys [photograph] taken.

We have been talking the matter over. [My brother] Steve would like to get that [timbered] land & will give his note at seven per cent & give a mortgage on the land. He will give $500 for my share and pay the interest yearly. They think it would be much better than laid out in Kansas property at present. Write if you are willing & would like to do so. If so, I will do it. I think we have to take some of it to go back with, but will leave all we can.

Those photographs came all right. I think the upper part of General Sherman’s face looks like brother [Joseph] Denison. I will save that paper with the names of the killed & prisoners. I hope it is true that the Shawnee County prisoners escaped. Poor Mrs. [Osborn] Naylor. I felt sorry for her and often think of the afflicted ones & am thankful you escaped.

Am glad you have the front room fixed. It will be very comfortable, I think. You must not think I would be so disappointed to go back this winter. I had rather go there than leave you alone, and expected to go until Price went to Kansas & since he was driven back have been making calculations to go, although I know it is late & will probably be cold. You may do as you please about coming. Either way, I will be satisfied. Your true wife, -- Augusta

It has been over a week since I sent you a letter. I did not intend to be so long and fully intended to write to you from Topeka but my time was so entirely taken up that I did not find time. I started from here on Friday at two o’clock and reached the timber this side of Topeka at pitch dusk and managed to get through after going co-whop against one stump. Then [I] forded the river when I could not see a little before my horse [due to the darkness] but came out all right. ‘But what did you go down for?’ say you. Well I got a little lonesome and out of variety and I wanted to hear and know about the prisoners and was right glad as it turned out that I went.

I reached home about two hours after dark, found Bro. Hannum had gone down to Bro. [Osborn] Naylor’s who was very low. Sister Hannum got me a good supper and, after chatting awhile, I went to bed. The next morning after breakfast, [I] went with Bro. Hannum down to Bro. Naylor’s and found him worse. His disease was lung fever brought on by the exposure whilst a prisoner. Like most of the prisoners, he was robbed of his overcoat & boots, and kept on a forced march sometimes 40 miles a day with no food most of the time but roast corn. He was obliged to ford the streams, some of them waist deep, and lie down in their wet clothes nights without even blankets to cover them. They continued in this way for six long weary days before they were paroled and as would be expected, many of them came home entirely broken down.

Kansas State Militia prisoners being force marched after Battle of Westport
Kansas State Historical Society

He seemed quite glad to see me and conversed quite freely. He seemed to feel as though he was not long for this world which premonition was alas too true, although he was very careful not to let his angel wife who bent over him with such continued anxiety know but what he was all the time getting better. I staid with him through the day and saw that he was a great sufferer and gradually failing. He expressed him as entirely resigned to the will of God [and] seemed to regret that he had not been more useful in the church. About four or a little before sundown he called all the children about his bed and addressed them very prettily beginning with Rolla and talked as calmly as I ever knew him. It did seem as if the little one’s hearts would break. And when he came to bid them all a final farewell, their feelings were uncontrollable. But he seemed as good and pleasant as ever. He spoke and said, “What a beautiful evening it is.” After a little, he seemed drowsy and I thought I would go up to Bro. Hannum’s and get my supper and get Bro. Hannum who had gone home during the day and come down and set up with him. We reached there about six, just fifteen minutes before he died. He was past speaking but had his senses enough to give his companion a last parting kiss and soon sweetly fall asleep in Jesus, dying very easy. It was too much difficult to speak. I thought a more befitting place for me was among the mourners.

Dr. Vaughn buried his little boy the same day Bro. Naylor died. Also Bro. Hoback, a fellow prisoner with Bro. Naylor, died the same evening of the same disease brought on in the same way. Bro. Williams of Topeka was past speaking when I left there yesterday, dying in the same way. Hib Gale died also Sunday of the same disease. So it seems that those the rebels don’t shoot, they manage to kill in some other way. [2]

I was glad to find a letter from you when I came home written Nov. 6th. I don’t see why it should be so long in coming. It had a sweet little comforting note in from [your] sister Sarah telling how much she didn’t want to see me &c. Well if she don’t, I want to see her & all of you bad enough tonight.

Jesse Stevenson & his wife did not reach there until after [Osborn Naylor] died. Father Jordan had been there most of the day and had left to go & stay with Selah at Tecumseh, who is now left a widow – her husband dying some two weeks ago near Ft. Gibson. A messenger was sent after him but neither he nor William Jordan reached there until after his death. Oh it was a sad night and a house of mourning indeed. Truly a good neighbor and worthy citizen has gone. How often did his sickness recall his great kindness to me [when I was sick in the winter of 1855-1856]. I tried to preach a funeral discourse on Tuesday to a large yet sad audience. Several of his fellow prisoners were in attendance, but my heart was so full at times I found it [very difficult. I feel badly] for his poor wife [3] who, part of the time after he was taken prisoner, was almost distracted. She now went into spasms and for some three hours in spite of rubbing and talking to her. She came very near dying [and] she was unable to be out of bed the day of the funeral.

With regard to my coming on I hardly know what to say. The Hannibal & St. Joe railroad is very unsafe. Dr. Crary, who rode across it the other day says he saw three wrecks of trains on the way. [He says] that a man could run and keep [pace] with the trains much of the way and that one man was killed and one had his arm broke going through with his train. The [rail] road never has been ballasted and I think is quite unsafe to travel on. It may be no better in the spring, only worse unless something is done. The [rail] road going from Macon through to St. Louis was attacked with guerillas the other day, the train thrown from the track, and several lives lost. I think I shall go with my buggy out through Iowa to the end of the [rail] road there and leave my buggy with someone and have it to come back with.

I traded my lots in Topeka for Father Winans’ buggy and shall sell this one the first good chance as I like that much better. The young mare I got is a first-rate buggy beast. You can drive her anywhere. She is tender bitted and a good traveler. I left the buggy of Father Winans at Bro. Hannum’s until I dispose of this [other one] some way. Much as I would like to see you all, I choose to forego the pleasure until you can come with less risk. If we wait till the leaves fall, and bushwhacking is done, they may fix the [rail] road for winter travel.

I was sorry to hear of Johnny’s accident. I hope it will teach him. Tell him to gather a fine bunch of butternuts & hickory nuts for pa and we will have a good crack when I come.

Our town is lifeless. The mill has done nothing since we went to find the Indians. The [Farapecnys?] are intending to tear down their house and move it to Seneca. The folks are well here. Bro. [Luther B.] Jones has gone [on another trip] to Denver. Please kiss the children for Papa. Don’t let Johnny go down by the railroad. Keep a little eye on him. He has many things to learn yet. Give my love to all and ever believe me your own true husband. – J. S. Griffing

Visit with Mother Griffing a few days occasionally. Don’t stay always down there. Write often.

Your letter mailed [November] the 17th, the first after your Quarterly meeting, came this past week. It seems as if your Quarterly meetings are almost failures. I hope the [Presiding] Elder is not going to be sick long.

Our folks are all about sick. Ma & [my sister] Sarah have bad colds and not able to be about hardly. Ma suffers so much with these colds and takes them so easily. [My brother] Steve is complaining & [our son] John also tonight. Colds seem to be prevailing – a kind of influenza. We have to keep fussing with & doctoring Ma all the time & have feared we should have to send for a doctor but I hope she can get along without. I am glad I am here to help. I don’t see how Sarah gets along [when I am not here]. [My sister] Mary & [her husband] Gurd [Horton] came up. Ma was sick then & not able to enjoy [the visit] much.

I have received all of your letters I think. Some have been a good while in getting here but they come at last. I hope you can get along well. Write often as you can. Your mother had not heard from [your sister] Mrs. Giddings when I saw her last. I would go up & stay [with your mother] more but [your brother] Samuel & [brother-in-law] Grove [Pike] both have to buy everything & have it hard I know. And I don’t feel like staying there long at a time but shall go up whenever I can. [Your sister] Mary’s health is very poor and your mother has the [house] work to do mostly.

People are beginning to feel bad about the taxes, which are going to be very high. I suppose [my brother] Steve’s and Ma’s will be over $130 & was only $30 last year. Some say those who own only a little will have to sell. It will be very hard for poor men.

I was surprised to hear of Brother Coleman’s marriage. Has Sister Willis returned? Do the mice seem thick or doing any mischief? If you do not come on, shall you board round or how shall you manage? I feel sorry for you, as I know it will be a hard winter to stay alone. Give my love to all inquiring friends. Ever yours, -- Augusta

[1] According to the Nemaha Courier, Abraham Lincoln received 355 out of 382 votes cast in Nemaha County in the Presidential election. Apparently only one resident in the Lincoln precinct voted for George B. McClellan -- the Peace party candidate.

[2] The following article appeared in the Thursday, December 1, 1864 edition of the Nemaha Courier, published in Seneca:

"Mr. Griffing, of Lincoln, who has just returned from Topeka, tells us that the Shawnee county militia, who were taken prisoners by Price at Westport, and paroled and sent back at the Arkansas State line, suffered considerably in the campaign, and some of them have died from the hardships and disease contracted while huddled in with Price's retreating rag a-muffins. They were robbed of their blankets, overcoats, and kept in advance of the rebel column when in motion, and whenever any rest was allowed, were obliged to lie down thus exposed to the open air."

[3] Mrs. Mary E. Naylor, farmer, Section 35, P. O. Tecumseh. Owns 160 acres, all in cultivation. Came to Kansas in the fall of 1854, locating on her present farm. Her husband and father were at the first convention held in Tecumseh as well as at the first election. Was here when the Free-state Legislature was broken up by the United States troops under Major Anderson of Fort Sumter fame. Was born in Mead County, Ky., in 1822, and moved to Indiana with her parents when only five years of age, locating at Montezuma, and attended school in her childhood with the Indian children on the reservation. Removed to Illinois in the spring of 1842, and remained there until coming to Kansas. Was married in 1844 to Osborn Naylor. Her husband was in the State militia during the Price raid and captured at the Locust Grove fight in Missouri and died from the effects of over exertion and starvation a few days after reaching home, in 1864. Has four children - Maria A., John W., James Rolla, and Samuel W. Her father, Charles Jordan, was a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church and died in Topeka, in 1872. The first quarterly conference ever held in Kansas was at her cabin in the spring of 1855, by Elder Still. Is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Source: William G. Cutler’s History of the State of Kansas, Shawnee County, Part 40.

Mrs. Mary E. Naylor and Children
(James Rolla Naylor, or "Roll" is standing at right)
Kansas State Historical Society