The Civil War Letters of Alvah Philbrook

24th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry

 By Robert W. Philbrook

(Originally Published in the April 2000-December 2000 issues of the PPFA Newsletter)  

Chapter 2:  Stones River (Part II)

    After the battle at Stones River (Murphysboro), in which many men of the 24^th Wisconsin were killed, wounded or captured, Alvah had the sad task of writing to the family members of those killed during the battle.

   One letter was written to the wife of Alvah’s second Lieutenant in Co. D, Christian Nix. Lt. Nix was born in Germany and at the age of fourteen came to America with his parents in 1851. He married his wife, Maria Kasper in June of 1861 and went into the Army a month later in July serving as a 3rd Sergeant with the 6th Wisconsin Infantry. Later he would be commissioned and transferred to Co. D., 24th Wisconsin to serve as a Lieutenant under Captain Alvah.

Jan. 14, 1863

Camp near Murfreesborrough

Mrs. Lieut. Nix

It becomes my unpleasant duty to inform you of the death of your husband & our much esteemed Friend and comrade. He fell on the morning of the 31st of December while repelling an attack of the Rebel Forces & died like a true soldier doing his duty to his country. He was shot through the body & was taken to our Hospital which was soon after taken possession by the enemy who held it until the evacuation of Murfreesbrorrough. He died on the 5th or 6th & was buried by Lieut. Towl B. Chase of our company with military honors. I have his effects in my possession & shall forward them to you by the first opportunity. I have his revolver, sword & money, other things belonging to him. You have lost your best Friend of Earth & we deeply feel with you in this sad bereavement for we too have lost an esteemed Friend & a true soldier. He did his duty always up to the time he fell & was loved & his true Qualities were appreciated by all that knew him. His Name & deeds will always be held in sacred remembrance by me & the members under my command.

Yours respectfully,

Capt. A. Philbrook

Another letter was written to the parents of George Gregg, a private from Milwaukee.

Camp near Murphessbourough Jan 13, 1863

As commander of Co. D. in which your late son was a member, it becomes my sad duty to inform you of the death of our much esteemed comrade and your worthy son. He fell mortally wounded while facing the Legions of the Southern Rebellion. He died while doing his duty & met his fate without a murmur. He was shot through the Heart and died soon after. We have fought a bloody battle & lost many of our comrades but we have the victory on our side & those that have laid down their lives for our country will always hold a place that is dear in the Hearts of all Patriots of our country. George was well & in good spirits all through our march up to the time we met the enemy which was on Tuesday morning. We commenced driving in the enemy’s skirmishers early on December 30th & with the crack of the enemies rifle became troublesome we left the Pike with our Brigade, consisting of 4 regiments of Infantry & 2 Batteries of 6 guns each. (Two?) Regiments Infantry a ( ___ ) Our batteries opened & shelled them out of a piece of wood (where?) they had a (____) as they retreated we advanced. While advancing through corn & cotton fields the Rebels opened their Batteries upon us. We were ordered to the ground & lay their while they played a perfect storm of all kinds of Artillery Missiles through our ranks, killing & wounding many of our men, but we soon left the position in the open field & returned to a wood & supported our Batteries who was posted about 500 yards from the line. Again we had to stand the Rebel Batteries fire which was terrific until our Batteries silenced them & they were obliged to retire. All through that trying scene I could not see as a man flinched a (____) and all of them stood like Heroes. We were then ordered into line where we lay all night on our arms & with the coming morning cold & (____) as we were we had to meet the rebels who came on us, his overwhelming (fire?) we met them & fought them until we were Flanked & all the troops around us had left & then we were ordered to retire when we did George was left on the Ground where he fell until we got a chance to bury the dead. Lieut. Chase buried him & marked his grave so it will be known if at any time he should (___) to be removed by His Friends. The 24th has passed through the Battle & I trust we have done our duty & not yet disgraced the state we hail from. George had his knapsack with him & everything belonging to him was taken by the Rebels while they held the ground. I would like to write you an account of the Battle but time will not permit. If you should want any information concerning (anything?) connected with your son I will do anytime cheerfully comply.

From yours respectfully,

Capt. A. Philbrook

Commanding Co. D 24th Regt. Wis. Vol.

P.S. Lieut. Sam. B. Chase send you his respects also Sergt. David McKillips

A Philbrook

Capt Co. D 24th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers