American Historical Ephemera and Photography

2 1/2 pages, 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 in., creased with separations and discolored residue from former adhesive repairs, last page separated from presumably blank bottom half.

In this letter addressed to his "Dear Cousin," Mitchell writes, in part:

"We left camp on the morning of the 24th of Nov. at 4 o'clock, crossed the River about six miles above, as a reserve for Sherman's troops, was in line of battle until the night of the 25th about 12 o'clock, when we started in pursuit of the retreating Rebs. at about 3 o'clock P.M. of the 26th (Thanksgiving) we came up to them, near Chickamauga Station on the Rail Road, and had a severe skirmish, which lasted until after dark...As usual our Regiment suffered more than any engaged. I escaped unhurt, myself but the horse I was riding got a bullet through his neck, that occurred during the thickest of the fight, just as I was crossing a deep and rough creek, two and a half of three feet deep. he floundered around awhile in the water, and then made a stand, and all the spurring, jerking & kicking which I gave him failed to move him one inch, and the shell and bullets falling thick and fast around me. I was compelled to dismount in the water, and almost by force pull him ashore, after getting out on land, he went along well enough. After the excitement was over we lay down on the battle field and remained until daylight. I lay down with about one half of me soaking wet, with one blanket, and rested as well as the circumstances of the case would admit; no supper, that night."

The following month did not provide respite from the horrors of Missionary Ridge. Mitchell continues, in part: "At daylight we started again and pursued the Rebs as far as Ringgold Geo. when we were ordered to Knoxville to the relief of Burnside. On Sunday the 28th we started and marched over awful roads for 22 days in all kinds of weather, without tents of shelter of any kind and not much to eat, we were out 27 days, in all. I will not attempt to describe the battles around Chattanooga on the 23, 24, 25, 26, & 27 of Nov, you can get a better idea of it from papers."

[With:] Manuscript enlistment roll. 7 3/4 x 24 3/8 in. (made of 2 leaves tipped together, folds, chipping to edges, staining throughout).

Working copy used to swear-in soldiers recruited for Company B of the 98th Ohio Infantry from 25 July to 6 August 1862. An oath is written above the roll, in part: "I do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of American and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies and opposers whomsoever..." The roll lists the age and name of each enrollee, along with his actual enlistment date, enrollment town, and distance to camp. The final column records the person who swore each man into service.

Several of the men listed became casualties of the war, including John Graham, George Glenn, and John B. D. Krim, all of whom died of disease.

[With:] Military order document. Nashville, TN, 19 August 1863. 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 in., on bifolium (folds, minor wear). On Head-Quarters Dept. of the Cumberland letterhead.

Special Orders No. 220, issued by command of Major General Rosecrans, instructs Captain Joseph Mitchell to "proceed to Ohio for the purpose of making arrangements for the forwarding of drafted men, assigned to Regiments in this Department. To be absent not to Exceed Twenty (20) days."

Joseph R. Mitchell enlisted as a captain on 23 July 1862. He was commissioned into Company B, 98th Ohio Infantry Regiment the following month on 20 August. The 98th Ohio was organized at Steubenville, and marched on the Bardstown Turnpike in October, taking part in the Battle of Perryville and losing 230 killed and wounded. In 1863, most of its operations were in Tennessee, including participation in the Battle of Chickamauga, where it lost 50 killed and wounded. The 98th took part in Sherman's March to the Sea through to actions in the Carolinas, including the fierce Battle of Bentonville, NC.