Waste Family Letters, 1858-1888 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

By Jackie Couture

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Collection Overview

Title: Waste Family Letters, 1858-1888

Primary Creator: Waste, William (ca. 1835-1888)

Extent: 0.13 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 08/27/2003

Subjects: Civil War, 1861-1865., United States. Army. Ohio Infantry Regiment, 23rd (1861-1865), Waste, Sarah Jane Day, ca. 1841-1906., Waste, William, ca. 1835-1888--Correspondence., Waste family.

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection of letters is almost entirely between William and Sarah Jane Waste of Geauga County, Ohio before and during the Civil War. There are, however, several letters from various other family members including two written to Sarah and William after the war from William's father, Luke Waste and a letter written in 1888 to Miss Bertha Waste.

The earliest letters discuss religion, society in general, events, their relationship, and health. After William enlists in the army there is much information about life in the army, the movements of the regiment and information about various battles he was involved in. William describes camp, conditions and the places he is staying, as well as rumors about battles. Sarah's brothers write in more detail about events, such as the execution of two soldiers for deserting. The 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry was involved in the following battles and skirmishes that William speaks of: Lynchburg, Virginia; Fisher's Hill, Virginia and Cedar Creek, Virginia.

Collection Historical Note

William Waste (ca.1835 - 1888) married Sarah Jane Day (ca. 1841 - 1906) 10 Jan 1864 in Geauga County, Ohio while William was serving in the Civil War. William was born in New York to Luke and Hannah Waste. Sarah was born in Massachusetts and her parents have not been determined, but she had a brother named Alonzo Day. William enlisted in Company I of the 23rd Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry at the age of 26. He was mustered in at Camp Jackson, Ohio 22 May 1861, was appointed Corporal 8 Aug 1863 and mustered out with his company 26 Jul 1865 at Cumberland, Maryland. As his appointment was for 3 years he re-enlisted as a veteran to finish the war.

After the war William and Sarah moved to Wisconsin where William's father, Luke Waste had purchased property. There they started their family and had the following children: 1. Elmer J. born ca.1866 2. Bertha J. born ca.1868 3. Henry A. born ca.1870 4. Willie P. born ca.1872 5. Jessie V. born ca.1874 6. Charles born ca.1876 [All birth places and dates came from the 1880 census abstract at www.familysearch.org.]

Subject/Index Terms

Civil War, 1861-1865.
United States. Army. Ohio Infantry Regiment, 23rd (1861-1865)
Waste, Sarah Jane Day, ca. 1841-1906.
Waste, William, ca. 1835-1888--Correspondence.
Waste family.

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Acquisition Method: Purchase.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Folder:

[Folder 1],
[Folder 2],
[All]

Folder 1

Item 1: William Waste to Sarah J. Day, 17 Oct 1858: Johnston, Ohio. Telling her where he is living and what he is doing. This letter was written before he ever thought of going to war.
Item 2: William Waste to Sarah J. Day, 7 Nov 1858: Johnston, Ohio. Discussing religious beliefs.
Item 3: William Waste to Sarah J. Day, 13 Mar 1859: Mayfield, Ohio. Telling her how much he takes pleasure in her society, meaning her friendship and company.
Item 4: William Waste to Sarah J. Day, 15 Apr 1859: Mayfield, Ohio. Telling her of his health and that he plans to pay her a visit in the near future.
Item 5: William Waste to Sarah J. Day, 12 Jun 1860: Camp Jackson, Ohio. Concerning life at Camp Jackson and Waste's impressions of Columbus, located near the camp. Also about how much he misses home and the love of Sarah Jane.
Item 6: William Waste to Sarah J. Day, 25 Nov 1860: Kokomo, Indiana. Concerning the movement of his regiment from Columbus Ohio to Kokomo, Indiana. Also talks about the love he has for Jane and how he can't wait to be back by her side.
Item 7: William Waste to Sarah J. Day, 19 Dec 1860: Kokomo, Indiana. Concerning how life is treating him in Kokomo over the winter months and his religion and how people live in Kokomo.
Item 8: William Waste to Sarah J. Day, 28 Feb 1862: Camp Reynolds. Refers to life in camp, organizing a lyceum and how he misses life at home.
Item 9: William Waste to Sarah J. Day, 21 Apr 1862: Charleston, Virginia. Waste writes of how nice it is to be in camp while the rebels are not attacking them. He mentions how how long he has been on the battlefield and how much longer he has to stay.
Item 10: William Waste to Sarah J. Day, 15 Jun 1862: Camp on Flattop. Waste writes about the Union Army retreating when attacked by a larger rebel force, and describes the food rations allotted to the soldiers before they left Parisburg.
Item 11: William Waste to Sarah Jane Day, 6 Jul 1863: Charleston, West Virginia. Talks about his love for Jane and how much he misses home. About receiving news from the Army of Potomac with Meade defeating Lee [at the Battle of Gettysburg.]
Item 12: William Waste to Sarah Jane Day, 15 Jul 1862: Camp Green Meadows. William tells Jane about a quiet July 4th at camp and that he hopes the war "will come to a speedy close" so he can return home to her.
Item 13: William Waste to Sarah J. Day, 2 Sep 1862: Camp on Munson Hill. William describes the camp moving from West Virginia to Washington D.C., and the good reception the soldiers got there. He regrets he is unable to see "Old Abe." He writes of McClellend at Bull Run and how if he wins, the war may be over.
Item 14: Alonzo Day to Sarah J. Waste, [19 Sep 1862]: Camp Tod, Columbus, Ohio. Talking about their barracks and not having much to do. They have to drill about two hours twice a day, and the food is not very good. He wishes he was the one to cook.
Item 15: William Waste to Sarah J. Day, 2 Dec 1862: Camp Maskell. William explains how the Union Army is building their winter quarters and the battle of South Mountain. He writes about the possibility of a furlough so he can go to see Jane.
Item 16: Alonzo Day to Sarah J. Day, 6 Mar 1863: Tar Farm. About the bad weather in winter camp. About working for 52 dollars a month and getting boarded for 4 dollars a week. This stationary has a woodcut of the Battle of Fair Oaks, Jun 1, 1862.
Item 17: William Waste to Sarah J. Day, 18 Aug 1863: Camp White, West Virginia. William explains his trip from home back to camp. He also tells Jane of a boy who drowned while bathing in the river and was buried with military honors.
Item 18: William Waste to Sarah J. Day, 4 Nov [1863]: Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Stating that they will remain in Point Pleasant all winter. He was offered a commission and the winter at home if he would re-enlist, but decided against it and will be home in six months.
Item 19: William Waste to Sarah J. Waste, 23 Jan 1864: Camp Hastings near Cumberland, Maryland. Will writes to his now wife Jane that he is sick from the cold weather. Telling her of having to go to Grafton about 46 miles from where he was camped to give chase to the rebels.
Item 20: William Waste to Sarah J. Waste, 22 Feb 1864: Galliapolis. Letting he know where he is and how long it took to get there, and the time it is taking to get back to his regiment. About how time has passed since they were married.
Item 21: William Waste to Sarah J. Waste, 1 Mar 1864: Camp White. His regiment gave him Hail Columbia about getting married. Out of 4 guys on picket duty 3 had gotten married. Rumor of having to go to Tennessee and the wintry weather.
Item 22: William Waste to Sarah J. Waste, 4 Mar 1864: Camp White. Getting new recruits for the regiment. Most all young boys. Everything is quiet there for now. Tells Jane he doesn't want her working in the summer.
Item 23: William Waste to Sarah J. Waste, 22 Mar 1864: Camp White. Regiment having drills three times a day; in the morning Squad drill, at ten Company drill and at five p.m. battalion drill. Taking a long time to get their bounty pay.
Item 24: William Waste to Sarah J. Waste, 29 Mar 1864: Camp White. Giving his approval for Jane to work even though he doesn't want her to. It is rainy all the time and the roads are so muddy you cannot find the bottom of them.
Item 25: William Waste to Sarah J. Waste, 7 Apr 1864: Camp White, West Virginia. Tells Jane about two of the boys from his regiment robbing a negro of 75 cents and having to parade up and down the grounds in front of everyone with a barrel strapped to their back with a sign telling what they had done. Getting orders to get ready to Mar anytime. Sent Jane a 25 cent script which he received from a rebel prisoner.
Item 26: Henry Gunn to Cousin Henry and Cousin Jane, 10 Apr 1864: St. Helena Island, S.C. About going on Guard every other day, getting a pass and going to a Plantation and getting milk to go with their bread. They are to report to Washington and according to the late General Order will have to join them. Letter to Cousin Jane mentions her marriage to a soldier and hopes he is a good fellow.
Item 27: Henry Gunn to Cousin Alonzo Day, 24 Apr 1864: Gloucester Point, Virginia. Talks about being on the move constantly. About leaving Hilton Head on propeller boat called Victor. Set up camp across the river from Yorktown, waiting for Marching orders. He gives an explicit account of the punishment of two soldiers who had deserted three times. Worrying about the war and if he will survive.

Folder 2

Item 1: John Post to Jane Waste, 24 May 1864: Tarr Farm. [Jennie Day married John Post 5 Jul 1859 in Geauga Co., Ohio, so apparently John is a brother-in-law of Jane Waste.] He has heard of her getting married and wishes her well. He asks about William and tells of Grant and 60 thousand of his men being taken prisoners. Also asking after his parents.
Item 2: William Waste to Sarah J. Waste, 9 Jun 1864: Stanton, Virginia. A friend of his is going home and will deliver this letter. He is now in Shenandoah Valley. They were expecting to fight but by the time they got there General Hunter had already taken the place and about 2,000 prisoners.
Item 3: William Waste to Sarah J. Waste, 2 Jul 1864: Camp near Charleston. He talks about the retreat at Lynchburg and running out of rations. Some soldiers fell during Mar from starvation. This past two months has been the hardest of the war.
Item 4: William Waste to Sarah J. Waste, 4 Oct 1864: Camp near Cedar Creek, Virginia. Talks about his letter being slow because he was waiting to be paid, so he could send her some money. Also about the battle with the Johnnies where they were attacked before daylight. After dropping back two or three miles they
Item 5: Henry Gunn to Sarah J. Waste, 23 Oct 1864: Camp near Soral Hill Church, Virginia. They are encamped about 8 miles from Richmond. He talks of the attack against the rebels and losing 66 men out of their regiment and Company. They did not have good General Ship.
Item 6: William Waste to Sarah J. Waste, 23 Nov 1864: Camp Russell, Virginia. The winter weather is upon them and they are unprepared. They have only their dog tents to stay in. Being on picket at night not having an overcoat and not allowed to build fires. They will be leaving there soon for winter quarters but he doesn't know where.
Item 7: Alonzo Day to Sarah J. Waste, 2 Jan 1865: Knoxville, Tennessee. Telling Jane that he is in the hospital in Tennessee. A rumor that his regiment might be coming to Kentucky on the Nashville & Louisville Railway to guard the road. His regiment has been on a raid.
Item 8: William Waste to Sarah J. Waste, 15 Feb 1865: Camp Hastings. There will be no prospect of peace until the rebels are subdued. Talk of Hanowha Valley and going back there. The Methodists having meeting in Cumberland ans most of the soldiers being converted. Hoping his trust in God will see him thru.
Item 9: William Waste to Sarah J. Waste, 26 Feb 1865: Camp Hastings, Maryland. Telling of the fall of Wilmington, NC. About the rebel strongholds falling into their hands. A force of about 200 Rebels surprised the picket and captured them, then went on to capture Major General Crook from his hotel room. They then went to Headquarters of General Kelly and took him prisoner also and got away with all.
Item 10: Alonzo Day to Sarah J. Waste, 2 Mar 1865: Knoxville, Tennessee. He seems to think another summer will close up the war, he doesn't think the rebels can hold out much longer, but he really can't tell.
Item 11: William Waste to Sarah J. Waste, 3 Mar 1865: Camp Carroll, near Cumberland, Maryland. They are in process of moving camp, maybe to the Shanandoah Valley but not sure. Sherman had whipped the rebels and captured three Brigades of infantry, four batteries or artillery and a wagon train.
Item 12: William Waste to Sarah J. Waste, 14 Mar 1865: Camp Hastings near Cumberland, Maryland. Everything is quiet now, they will be moving camp to Cumberland City to do Provost Guard duty. He is now the company commissary. It has been seven months since they have been paid.
Item 13: William Waste to Sarah J. Waste, 16 Apr 1865: Camp near Winchester, Virginia. The prospect of war soon to be over. There is no rebel force near them except some calvary that sent a flag of truce to surrender.
Item 14: William Waste to Sarah J. Waste, 29 Apr 1865: Camp near Winchester, Virginia. They have been very busy in camp, having to drill 3 to 4 hours each day and having an inspection or review. There is great sorrow in the camp because of the death of the president. About he assassin bing captured and shot. Johnson having surrendered his army. He hopes to be home by Jul 4th.
Item 15: Alonzo Day to Sarah J. Waste, 22 May 1865: Knoxville, Tennessee. Thanking her for the box of goodies from home. The currants and sugar ruined but the tea and dried beef ok. He will not be home by the 4th of Jul probably not until fall. He only has three and one half months left to serve.
Item 16: Luke Waste to William and Sarah J. Waste, 21 Dec 1865: Willson's Mills. He tells them of the weather and that the last of the boys in blue have just got home.
Item 17: Luke Waste to William and Sarah J. Waste, 10 Jun 1866: Willson's Mills. Telling them he won't be coming to Wisconsin until next year. He talks about the land they own together in Wisconsin and about what William should be doing with it.
Item 18: Invitation to William Waste, 29 Jul 1885: For him and his family and friends to attend the Annual Reunion of the 23rd Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry at Lakeside, Ohio, to be held 19-21 Aug 1885.
Item 19: Jackson Valleau to Mr. Wast [Waste], 12 Jan 1887: Valleau, who was a private in the 23rd Ohio Infantry, recounts being "sun struck" while marching in Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign and rescued by Waste and Charly Bliss; the three spent the night in an empty log cabin after being unable to find their regiment. Valleau, still sick, was left in the care of an elderly couple the following day. [Research indicates that William Waste and Charles Bliss were indeed in Valleau's regiment.]
Item 20: Charley to Miss Bertha Waste, 22 Jan 1888: Sparta, Wisconsin. He tells her of the gossip in town and not much else.

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[Folder 2],
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