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.

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