#1 FIGHTING FOR THE UNION
Diary of Daniel Williams, Owen County Indiana , 1862
The heavy tread of the soldiers marching by, that stirring music Yankee Doodle, and the Stars and Stripes as they floated in the breeze made me feel proud that I was an American Citizen and that we all had offered our services in defense of the Constitution and those stars and stripes which floated so proudly.
The government our fathers had handed down to us, the best the sun ever shone upon. Should we suffer it now to go down? The flag that nations dreaded and dare not insult, and the protections of our homes where our companions and children are. Who would not offer his services to help put down rebellion which had trailed our flag in the dust? None but a traitor himself.
Ara Fraizer, Owen County Indiana, letter to his parents, May 16, 1863
It is the policy of the administration at present to arm and equip all negroes who are willing and fit for the service, and put them into the United States army. The Adjutant General of the United States is here now raising all the negro companies and regiments he can, and he has raised five regiments already.
No doubt some of our copperhead friends almost swoon over such an abolition doctrine, and think it an unpardonable sin, but I endorse the whole plan and with my hand upon my heart say Amen! I can stand it very well to have the negroes take the place and property of their secesh masters and take their muskets and shoot them (if need be). For I certainly think more of a good Union Negro than of any white traitor.
I am for putting down this abominable rebellion, let it cost what it may. For I consider that I, with thousands of others, have left home, friends, and relations and everything that makes life comfortable – and not only that, but periled our lives – for the sole purpose of putting down the rebellion and to maintain this government, the best that the world ever knew. I know that it is not to gain political power or a great name or to get the Greenbacks, as had been said of us; but it is to fight for the Union .
Let me say in conclusion, that those who will stand back and dispute about political plans and not give even their influence to the Union cause, but quarrel over such trifling things when their country is in danger; who cry, I am for the Union, while doing all they can against it and saying all they can to stop this war, when nothing but war will ever restore the Government as it should be: I say such men are too low to be put on a level with jackasses – too mean to be counted worthy the dignity of a dog.
J. V. Hadley, Hendricks County Indiana, to Mollie Hill, February 24, 1863
For many long years yet I fear there will still be war. And while there is war among us there is no peace for me. I love peace but I love my country more. I am now wedded to war and while God gives me strength I mean to share her fortunes until the issue comes. I am as sanguine today in the belief that the Union will be restored as I ever was. I believe there is a day coming when this Union will again be united, when its people will again be happy, when we will love where we now hate, and where we now have war we will have domestic happiness. And when I view the end of this war – see men returning to their families with heads crowned with glory won and nestling in their bosoms the consciousness of having done their duty – "my heart is burning to be one of those."
For Students:
The three soldiers quoted above are probably representative of the "average" Hoosier soldier. They enlisted early in the war and fought honorably, either until their discharge or until the end of the war. During some of their free time in camp, they recorded their experiences for friends and family, either in diary form or in letters sent back home. And in their writings, they sometimes spoke of their motivations for fighting.
Look at the three texts above and answer the following questions:
1. What does Daniel Williams mean when he say he offered his services "in defense of the Constitution"? How does he describe the national government? Why does he place such emphasis on the flag?
2. Look at the third paragraph of Ara Fraizer's letter. What does he say he is fighting for? Who are the traitors he writes about? And why does he now support freeing the South's black slaves?
3. What does J. V. Hadley mean when he writes that he is "wedded to war"? What is his view of the Union ? What does he believe to be his "duty"?
4. What do all of these men mean when they say that they are fighting for the Union ? Make a list of as many reasons as you can find in the three text selections.