Beschreibung:

23 items, 1860-1873. Born in West Haven, Connecticut, Sheldon Treat emigrated to Missouri in 1859 to find work as a carpenter. Not the best choice. Although he was fully employed, Treat soon found himself on the frontlines of what would become a Civil War. This fine collection documents the transformation of a young easterner looking for work into a Civil War solder. In some ways, the three pre-war letters are the most interesting of the lot. Written from Forest City, MO, a troubled outpost near the Kansas border, the letters provide a glimpse into the drama as war fever rose in an area already engulfed by violence. On Jan 24, 1861, Treat described an incident with border ruffians: No law of this state could molest them fellows at all for they had got my on the Kansas side and the only way get it was by force. A fellow from Ohio was with me on the river at the time of the fuss. There was 6 of them they all drawed their knives and one his revolver. We had no arms but one knife to defend ourselves with but we got the boat and got back safe. When we got up town 30 men was redy to go after them. Had we had our revolvers there would have been some shooting done. By March, the scene grew even darker. The yong men of this place are having their hair cut short for the spring fights, Treat reported, They commenced election day to fight and have been at it ever scince. Under the circumstances, Treat decided to decamp for the north: I shal leave hear next week for some spot unknown I think of going to Fort Desmoin to work. This state will probely go south soon... this state legislator met the 2 of May and elected all of there offecers secession. They have thretened to drive out all the free state...There, he wasted little time before enlisting in the 4th Iowa Infantry, where he proved himself a capable soldier, earning promotion to 2nd Lieutenant by October 1862 and to 1st Lieutenant in Jan. 1863. Serving mostly in the western theatre, Treat saw action in 17 battles and took part in Sherman’s March to the Sea, reenlisting after a furlough for the duration. His letters reveal a strong pro-unionist as he became accustomed to military life in Missouri, culminating his first major battle: Pea Ridge. On Aug 18, 1862, he wrote home to describe the devastation he experienced during one of the year’s most decisive battles, and the way in which his commitment to the cause was growing stronger as he grew from new recruit into a veteran. Martha says it almost makes her sick to see them poor fellows in the hospital at New Haven. She ought to go over one battle field and see the sights it would make ger sick for certain. I should liked to had you seen the field at Pea Ridg for I know it would not made you sick but you would not have forgotten it very soon. Man is a curious thing in a fight. People will say fight for honor and glory but I tell you that they fight becaus they are mad and becaus they love to fight. You put a company into action and watch them the first 2 or 3 rounds they take it very cool but soon they begin to fall and this one looses a brother and that one a messmate and blood runs freely then jest listen and hear the deep curses of revenge and then see if they fight becaus they love it. Yes every shot is dearer than life to them, they don’t think of honors then and how different is it with them the next time they come into action they go at it like a days work... Interestingly, Treat’s support for the war seems not to have been shared by his father, and he writes a passionate letter complaining that his father seems to offer nothing in his letters but sarcastic and discouraging comments: I have here some 80 men to associate with and all ware getting letters from home cheering them on the good worck and although I have proved myself as brave as the bravest yet I get no encouragement from father...Aug 28, 1862. Posted at Helena in latter half of 1862, the 4th Iowa took part in the early maneuvers of the Vicksburg Campaign, and the coll