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Civil War Soldier's Letters (9) by Martin Luther Moore of the 94th Illinois Infantry with Battle of Prairie Grove Content.. ...
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Civil War Soldier's Letters (9) by Martin Luther Moore of the 94th Illinois Infantry with Battle of Prairie Grove Content.Nine letters totaling 33 pages, dated November 6 to December 24, 1862. Moore, the quartermaster of the Illinois 94th Infantry, writes to his wife from the front lines in Missouri and Arkansas, giving detailed accounts of battles, skirmishes, marches, and the everyday life of a soldier. The correspondence centers on the Union campaign in northwest Arkansas that culminated in the Battle of Prairie Grove on December 7, 1862. Accompanying Moore's December 23 letter is a hand-drawn map of the "Illinois Creek Battle Grounds," depicting the order of battle at Prairie Grove.
Moore wrote his first letter from the regiment's "Camp near Springfield," Missouri, on November 6, 1862, shortly before the regiment departed for Arkansas. He discusses the recent Democratic victories in local elections and the resulting political tensions in the state: "The election news from McLean Co & from Ills is that Sweat is defeated, the County & State probably gone democratic, if that is so I must certainly look up some better place for you to live...Genl Herron is on his way back with his forces they have had some difficulty with the Missouri State Malitia [sic] which I consider a mixed crowd."
He writes again on November 21, now in Green County, Missouri, describing the long, rain-soaked march south: "When I last wrote we were at White Oak Springs waiting orders to move...but did not leave there untill Monday at 12 Oclock. It Rained from Friday night till last Wednesday morning the most of the time we marched nearly all night..."
On November 22, from "Camp Nelson's Creek" near the Arkansas border, Moore gives a detailed account of General Herron's arrival at their camp: "The singers of our Regiment gave the Genl a Serenade last night. He received them kindly and told them (after treating to whisky & cigars) that he had matters arranged by which he would be able to make a steady onward march soon, that he had great confidence in the 94th and fully believed they would do their part."
On Thanksgiving, November 27, he writes a letter describing the men's celebration and his visit to the Wilson Creek Battlefield, where General Nathaniel Lyon was killed (the first Union General to be killed in the war): "Many trees are cut off by the cannon ball, and many scenes of the ravages of war can there be witnessed which are not very pleasant to dwell on such as Human skills Bones & Hair are to be seen on different parts of the field, the place where Lyon fell is marked by a high pile of Stones each one bearing the name of the contributor and there I placed a large stone with my full name on one side and my initials on the other."
The Battle of Prairie Grove, fought on December 7, 1862, was the first major combat experience for the 94th Illinois Infantry. Writing two days later from the "Prairie Grove Battlefield," Moore recounts the engagement briefly: "Our brigd...advanced about 3 miles and came upon the Reb Army in force who were trying to surround Blunt, and engaged them amediately. They replied to our artillery promptly from the bushes on the hill...For about 2 hours between 3 & five was very fierce the 20th Mis & 19th Iowa were cut up the most only one of our men was killed on the field 2 or three have died since. Some 32 are wounded..."
He expands on the battle in a longer letter of December 13, giving an eight-page account of the fighting: "The artillery was placed in position to shell the hill to our left & front and some 4 or 5 shots made without any reply skirmishers were sent out and the body of the Army sent on the Double Quick to face the Enemy...I hurried on to the scene of action the musketry cracked with increasing fierceness and before I got in sight I began to meet the wounded...Genl Blunt commenced on the Right of the Rebel army and his firing was fierce & destructive. Some of the men on hearing that Genl Blunt had come in took fresh Courage...in 1 hour the victory was ours...Had we been an hour later Genl Blunt would have been completely surrounded."
On December 21, Moore writes about field medicine and the usefulness of surgeons on the field, mentioning the value of women who served as battlefield nurses: "The fore part of the night was spent in rendering assistance to the warriors on the battlefield who had spent the day in deadly strife and constant battling...the condition of the wounded on that night was as much worse as can be imagined...The greatest failure is in medical surgery, and just here I would suggest the sanitary commission to use their influence in getting Surgeons of ability & skill to go into the Army...I honor the Ladies who are so zealously engaged in the good work, but while there are so many in the medical department who are governed by brutal self-interest regardless of the feelings or condition of any around them..."
On December 23, he again discusses the battle, enclosing a hand-drawn map and written explanation of the troop positions at Prairie Grove: "I can very readily imagine the suspense which followed the news of Our Battle...I have had a diagram of the batlfield drawn Especially for your benefit. Which is in the main Correct I was showing it to Col McNulta today and he said the position given the 26th Ind was not correct, as they Ch[arge]d up, and without making any stand retreated clear back in disorder losing 26 men...I think Genl Whiskey ordered some of those dreadful Charges which resulted in such destruction of life."
His final letter, written on December 24, just before the regiment was ordered to Van Buren, Missouri, describes visiting wounded Confederate soldiers: "I went out this afternoon with Dr. Ross to visit a couple of Rebel wounded. Their wounds were not moist but had suffered for want of attention. The old lady of the house where they were left had taken good care of them...they all look worn out and sickly tho, none rather cheerful and received us kindly."
Includes two original transmittal covers and a typewritten transcript of the letter dated December 21.
Condition: All letters age-toned with smoothed folds. Scattered soiling or staining throughout. Minor wear, including separations, chips, or short tears, generally not affecting legibility of text. A few letters repaired with archival tissue. December 24 letter with minor ink erosion.
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2025 December 8 Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Signature® Auction #6325 (go to Auction Home page)
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December, 2025
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