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By Jackie Couture
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
Administrative Information
Repository:
Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives
Acquisition Method:
Purchase.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Folder:
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Folder 1],
[Folder 2],
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All]
- 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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