MILTON P. CHAMBERS LETTERS
Correspondence, 1863-1864
Manuscript Collection MC 795
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Milton P. Chambers was born about 1841 in Indiana. By 1862 he
and his family had moved to Glenwood, Mills County, Iowa, where
they all were probably engaged in farming. On August 14 of that
year Milton and his younger brother, George G. Chambers, enlisted
in Company B, 29th Iowa Infantry. The Chambers brothers were
officially mustered in on November 15, 1862. The 29th Iowa first
marched to St. Joseph, Missouri, and then proceeded by rail to
St. Louis where their first assignment consisted of guarding
prisoners of war. After a brief re-enforcement expedition in
early January, 1863, to a federal garrison at Columbus, Kentucky,
the Chambers brothers and their regiment were transferred to
Helena, Arkansas, and remained there for the next eight months.
During their stay in Helena, George became ill and died on July
19, 1863. He was subsequently buried in the National Cemetery at
Helena. On August 11, Milton marched with the 29th Iowa to
Little Rock. The regiment occupied the capitol for the duration
of its service in Arkansas with the exception of its
participation in General Frederick Steele's Red River Expedition
in March and April, 1864. Milton was present at the battles of
Elkin's Ford, Prairie D'Ane, and Jenkin's Ferry during this time.
In February, 1865, the 29th was ordered south to Louisiana and
the balance of Milton's military career occurred there. He was
mustered out on August 10, 1865, at New Orleans.
Letters written by Milton P. Chambers were purchased by Special
Collections from Charles Apfelbaum of Valley Stream, New York, on
May 3, 1988.
The collection consists of 15 letters written by Milton Chambers
while in Helena and Little Rock to his brother, Armory K.
Chambers, in Glenwood, Iowa. The earliest is dated June 14,
1863, and the latest December 28, 1864. The majority of the
letters describe routine garrison duties and troop morale, but a
vivid description of the Red River Expedition accurately
documents Milton's combat experience. Milton was a prolific
writer, and refers many times to other letters he wrote
to members of his family besides Armory. As a result, some of
Milton's experiences are not adequately recorded in these letters
because he did not wish to repeat himself. For example, he was
undoubtedly present at the battle of Helena, July 4, 1863, but he
wrote his impressions of combat to a relative named "Luke" and
only refers Armory to that letter and newspaper accounts of the
fight. Also missing is a letter Milton must have written to his
parents after George died on July 19, 1863. By the time he wrote
Armory again on August 11, he only mentions the matter of
collecting George's pay rather than details concerning his death.
Fortunately, Milton chose to relate his adventures during the Red
River expedition to Armory in a letter dated May 3, 1864, and his
observations include the conduct of black troops during the
course of this campaign.
The letters have been arranged chronologically in two folders
with an annotated inventory listing. Each letter has been
identified by date and place of origin and is from Milton to
Armory in Glenwood, Iowa.
Processed by Kim Allen Scott, May, 1988. Special Collections
Division, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville,
Arkansas.
Folder 1
- June 14, 1863, Helena, Arkansas. Letter discounting press
reports of Helena's fall to the Confederates, discussing news
from Vicksburg, and army payment. Postscript to Sarah and David
Chambers, [brother and sister] describing diet and commodity
prices.
- July 17, 1863, Helena, Arkansas. Letter describing rebels
coming in to surrender, George Chamber's illness, and the recent
Union victories at Vicksburg and Port Hudson. Postscript to
"Mother and Father" reassuring them about George and describing
clothing arrangements.
- August 11, 1863, Helena, Arkansas. Letter written just
before leaving for Little Rock. Describes marching equipment and
sending extra clothing back to Iowa. Mentions Captain [Marquis
L.] Andrews, and Privates Hank [Henry L.] Donner and W. [Warren
K.] Follett, all of Company B, 29th Iowa Infantry.
- October 25, 1863, Little Rock, Arkansas. Letter describing
camp conditions, native citizens forming home guard units, and
receiving marching orders. Mentions Lieutenant Colonel [Robert
F.] Patterson.
- November 22, 1863, Little Rock, Arkansas. Letter detailing
camp arrangements and lack of contact with the enemy. Mentions
Captain Andrews gone on a recruiting trip and warns Armory not to
enlist under him.
- December 19, 1863, Little Rock, Arkansas. Letter reacting to
news from home regarding bushwacker activity in Iowa. Describes a
foraging expedition to a plantation nearby and the capture of the
owner's son who was home on leave from the Confederate army.
Folder 2
- February [5], 1864, Little Rock, Arkansas. Letter describing
boat traffic on the Arkansas River and suffering of the army's
draft animals.
- March 5, 1864, Little Rock, Arkansas. Letter recounting
extensive drill activity and disposition of new recruits in camp.
Mentions "Arkansas girls" and Lieutenant Colonel Patterson.
- Feb. ?, 1864, Little Rock, Arkansas. Letter of farewell
after receiving orders to march on the Red River expedition.
Marching equipment itemized.
- May 7, 1864, Little Rock, Arkansas. Letter detailing the
principal events of the Red River Expedition. Conduct of black
troops, enemy forces, and the battles of Arkadelphia, Elkin's
Ford, Prairie D'Ane, and Jenkin's Ferry are described. Mentions
Privates [Benjamin] Frank[lin] Ham, Nathaniel H. Stone, [Oliver
S.] Stroud, and [Leroy R.] Frank Britt, all of Company B, 29th
Iowa Infantry.
- June 10, 1864, Little Rock, Arkansas. Letter describing camp
life and rumors. Mentions a visit to the garrison by Major
General Daniel Edgar Sickles.
- July 20, 1864, Little Rock, Arkansas. Letter discussing
Arkansas river traffic, inactivity in camp, and guerrilla
operations. Mentions trooper Ed Spurlock of the 9th Kansas
Cavalry.
- August 31, 1864, Little Rock, Arkansas. Letter written after
returning from a month's stay at Lewisburg, Arkansas, where
conditions are described as very good. Mentions raiding
activities of General Joseph O. Shelby and routine of camp life.
- October 10, 1864, Little Rock, Arkansas. Letter discussing
war news from the East and Lincoln's re-election bid.
- December 28, 1864, Little Rock, Arkansas. Letter
contemplating the end of the war in light of the recent victories
in the East.
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