George Sealy to his friend John at camp 18 miles above Vicksburg, Mississippi
Title
George Sealy to his friend John at camp 18 miles above Vicksburg, Mississippi
Description
George A. Sealy was born in the town Castle Cary, Somersetshire, England, May 11, 1841 to Richard Sealy (born c. 1804 in South Welton, England) and Maria Louisa Champion Sealy (born c. 1803 in Wells, England). His family (including 2 brothers & 1 sister) moved to Rochester, New York around 1843. They later moved to Geneva, NY and final settled in Rockford, IL in 1855. He and his 2 brothers served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. George (along with brother Robert) served in Company G, 45th Illinois Volunteers. He enlisted September 17, 1861 as a private and was later promoted to sergeant by his brother Robert. He was involved in both the siege and the occupation of Vicksburg, and was mustered out July 12, 1865. He married twice. His first wife was Jennie A. Paxson, who died of consumption at age 33 May 4, 1876. His second wife was Fannie E. Zimmerman (died in 1908), whom he married August 5, 1877 in Winnebago County. After the war, George worked for Emerson, Talcott and Co. in Rockford, acting as their superintendent. Upon leaving Talcott Emerson in 1896 he spent a short while working for Henry Sears Cutlery in Chicago before retiring the next year and moving to San Jose, CA. It was there he passed in November 15, 1909 suddenly, while dancing at a social gathering.
Creator
George Sealy
Date
April 24, 1863
Rights
Midway Village Museum
Format
jpeg
pdf
Type
Text
Identifier
2013.70.60a
Text
2013.70.60a
Camp of the 45th Milicans [sic] Bend
18 miles above Vicksburg April 24th 63
Friend John
I received yours of the 14th last Tuesday eavening [sic] and just as I had done reading it we had orders to fall in and when we had got in the ranks the Colonel told us that [Logan] had sent over for Volinteers [sic] to run the Blockade on some Transports about one half of our Regiment Volinteered [sic] to go and we wer [sic] marched over to head quarters but when we got thare [sic] they did not want any but Pilots Engineers and Firemen of course that put me out as I did not understand any of theas [sic] and I would not
Page 2
undertake any such thing unless I understood it well although I wanted to go very much thare [sic] was two went out of our Company Bil [sic] Trip and Charlie Flint went as Engineers they had boath [sic] ran small Enjines [sic] when they wer [sic] at home. six Transports left hear [sic] Wednesday night and at twelve O clock they went past Vicksburg and they all got through safe except one she was sunk and burnt but all the Crew got of [sic] on our side of the River thare [sic] was but two lives loss [sic] and but two or three wounded. what do you think of that when we can run wash tubs by thare [sic] thare [sic] Baterys [sic] and not have them sunk. Grant is bound to make A shure thing hear [sic] and when he has every thing
Page 3
fixed all right he will make the attact [sic] and when we do make it we are bound to take it I have no more news to tell you this time except that they are going to Consoladate [sic] all old Regiments together and I suppose that we shall soon be in an other Regt. hoping that theas [sic] few lines will find you well I remane [sic] your Friend
George
thare [sic] is very heavy Canonading [sic] just Commenced in the direction of Vicksburg
Camp of the 45th Milicans [sic] Bend
18 miles above Vicksburg April 24th 63
Friend John
I received yours of the 14th last Tuesday eavening [sic] and just as I had done reading it we had orders to fall in and when we had got in the ranks the Colonel told us that [Logan] had sent over for Volinteers [sic] to run the Blockade on some Transports about one half of our Regiment Volinteered [sic] to go and we wer [sic] marched over to head quarters but when we got thare [sic] they did not want any but Pilots Engineers and Firemen of course that put me out as I did not understand any of theas [sic] and I would not
Page 2
undertake any such thing unless I understood it well although I wanted to go very much thare [sic] was two went out of our Company Bil [sic] Trip and Charlie Flint went as Engineers they had boath [sic] ran small Enjines [sic] when they wer [sic] at home. six Transports left hear [sic] Wednesday night and at twelve O clock they went past Vicksburg and they all got through safe except one she was sunk and burnt but all the Crew got of [sic] on our side of the River thare [sic] was but two lives loss [sic] and but two or three wounded. what do you think of that when we can run wash tubs by thare [sic] thare [sic] Baterys [sic] and not have them sunk. Grant is bound to make A shure thing hear [sic] and when he has every thing
Page 3
fixed all right he will make the attact [sic] and when we do make it we are bound to take it I have no more news to tell you this time except that they are going to Consoladate [sic] all old Regiments together and I suppose that we shall soon be in an other Regt. hoping that theas [sic] few lines will find you well I remane [sic] your Friend
George
thare [sic] is very heavy Canonading [sic] just Commenced in the direction of Vicksburg
Original Format
Letter
Collection
Citation
George Sealy, “George Sealy to his friend John at camp 18 miles above Vicksburg, Mississippi,” Midway Village Museum - Digital Collections, accessed April 25, 2024, https://midwayvillagemuseumdigitalcollections.omeka.net/items/show/51.