St. John (Miles) Papers, 1862-1864, 6 Items

Administrative Information


Access: Unrestricted

Copyright: The copyright of these letters is held by Navarro College Archives, Navarro College, 3200 W. 7th Ave., Corsicana, Texas. Internet: archives@navarrocollege.edu.

Cite As:St. John Miles Papers, 1862-1864, Pearce Civil War Collection, Navarro College, Corsicana, Texas

Forms Part of: Pearce Civil War Collection

Location: 1-E7-e

Transcription(s): Yes

Scanned Copies on File: No

Accession Number: 2005.029

Processed by: Mary Hayes, June 2006

Reproductions of original materials and transcriptions may be available. Please contact the archivist for further information.

Abstract: In these six letters, Miles St. John, a member of the 48th New York Volunteers, writes in good detail from Virginia of his unit’s movements, prisoners and casualties, his attitudes towards women, and crushing the Rebel army.

Biographical/Historical Sketch: Miles St. John was 22 years old when he enlisted in the 48th New York Volunteers. He was mustered into "I" Co. as a Private. He was promoted several times, finally attaining the rank of 2nd Lieutenant on New Year's Day 1865. He was mustered out on September 1, 1865.

Scope and Content Note:Miles St. John wrote these six letters (four to his friend Albert, two addressed to Mary), between June 20, 1862 and August 19, 1864.

In the first letter, addressed to his "Friend Albert" and dated June 20, 1862, Miles reports on the death of Col. James Perry on June 18. He reports that James' successor "who a good soldier and strict disciplinarian is equal to the Col. in no respect. . ." In the letter to "Friend Albert" dated June 31, 1862, Miles discusses preparations at Fort Pulaski and the disastrous leadership style of General McClellan. St. John's letter to "Friend Albert" dated March 15, 1863 discusses an upcoming expedition "which is about to leave Hilton Head for the City of Charlestown." Miles also speaks lightly of an exchange with a deserter that decided "prudence [was] the better part of valor." Miles' May 18, 1863 letter to his "Friend Albert" reports his status on sick call and his opinions on mixing officers and marriage. He closes by reminiscing about old times. "I think of those bygone days and think how changed we are. . ."

The last two letters included are addressed to St. John's "Friend Mary." The letter dated June 30, 1863 relates his troop's movements and skirmishes Rebel units beginning the first of May. He mentions the action at the Battles of Cold Harbor and Drewry's Bluff. The letter to "Mary" dated August 19, 1864, again discusses his presence on the "Doctor's List." He reports taking prisoners in the vicinity of Bermuda Hundred, Virginia. He discusses troop engagements and casualties in detail.