Misery on All Sides

Edward Beach, 1st Sergeant, 21st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Company E, Army of the Cumberland served in the Civil War from August 22, 1862 to June 30, 1865. He was captured September 20, 1863 at the Battle of Chickamauga, and spent 1 year and 7 months in Confederate prisons in Richmond and Danville, Virginia and Andersonville, Savannah, and Millen, Georgia. Throughout this time he corresponded with various family members and with Elisabeth “Libbie” Hammond, his future wife. The transcribed documents span the period from the beginning of his service in September 1862 and continuing until his marriage in October 1868. Edward returned to Wisconsin following the war, attended college and worked. In 1867 he moved to Lawrence, Kansas. The post war letters between Edward and Libbie chronicle their long courtship and show the development of their thoughts on love, family, religion, life in general and their dreams. Their letters reflect how a changing nation affected everyday people. Edward’s Civil War letters and Andersonville diary give an invaluable insight into that time in our country’s history. In his letters he speaks candidly about officers, the way the war is progressing, and his daily experiences. His post war recording of his experiences provides a more measured and detailed view of his time in service and as a prisoner of war. Edward and Libbie lived at a pivotal time in our nation’s history. Their words reflect the feelings and thoughts of the era as they voice their opinions on popular speakers, religion, politics and general issues of the day, as well as commenting on their daily life in the 1860s. The book will be of interest to Civil War buffs, those curious about life in the 1860s, and descendants of Elias Beach and Margaret Morrow. A short family genealogy, index, footnotes, a brief summary of E Company, 21st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and POW history are included. Read more