Volume 35, Number 2 - Fall 1995
Camp Forethought
by Robert Gooding 59th Illinois Infantry
Editor’s Note: The following document is taken from the Robert Gooding Letters, Western Historica] Manuscripts Collection, University of Missouri-Columbia. "Camp Forethought" was one of those many temporary military sites during the Civil War. The date is a month after the Battle of Pea Ridge in 1862. The victorious Federal Army was beginning the long march which led ultimately to Helena, Ark., on the Mississippi River. John Bradbury, Civil War historian at the University o fMissouri-Rolla, brought this letter to our attention. We edited it for easier reading.
Letter
Camp near forethought on White river, Stone Co, Missouri Apr 13 1862
Dear Brother, I must try and write to you again to let you know that I am well and hearty though there has been nothing transpired of any note since I last wrote but we have moved from where we were our first days march on the road back towards Springfield. Then we turned to the east marched some 60 miles in this direction over a horrible mountains country and through pine forests and nothing but one mountain after another and no settlement at all, but it was some what interesting to the soldier, the beautiful pine and cedar and high cliffs of rock and many other curiosities. This is one remarkable country for fine streams of pure running water, James river is one of those clear streams. We crossed it on a bridge made of wagons; you can see the bottom 5 & 6 feet deep when that is said all is said of its good qualities.
Our army is in good health and a goveler [jocular?] set of fellows you never saw. They have got harden to every thing that is hard; they have made up their minds there is nothing too hard for a soldier and I believe it. We are all in good hopes now that the war will soon be to an end from the great victories on our side lately.
We would think so indeed was that not a telling thing at Island no. 10 that rather beat Pea Ridge. Tell those Secesh at home for me that I have tried their Brothems pluck and tell them that one Secesh is not enough [for] 5 union men but on the other hand 5 is not enough for one ofus, but it is a fact that we can fight 5 times our number. I am not surprised at their not fighting any better. It is the cause that makes a man fight the most. [Those] that I talked with do not know what they are fighting for. They are impressed that the government wants to set the Negro free among them, will let them think what they may, they are about played out. A few more blows will satisfy them that coercion is strong medicine administered with powder.
I believe it is thought that Price has gone down the Arkansas River. He undoubtedly started that way the last we heard from him. I suppose we will follow him as long as we can fix a way to get across White River which will not be long, but we cannot move fast in this rough country. There is a great many creeks to cross which impedes infantry very much but we can move as fast as he can.
Since the battle [Pea Ridge] we have been reinforced several thousand. Our strengths is plenty strong for all the Butternuts that can be brought against us--that is a name the boys has given them since the Battle, their dress looks so much like the nut.
You better believe we have some wild boys in the army. As a general thing they are brave and noble hearted fellows. This is Sabbath evening and today by order of Secretary Chase that every Chaplain of every regiment offer prayer to the god of hosts for the great victories over the trators [traitors] of our once happy government. So our Chaplain responded to the request and I enjoyed it very much.
Monday morning and evening. I feel this morning as though I would like to see you all and to be on my farm and see my stock, especially the horses. I would like to take a ride on old grey and see old Herk [i.e., Hercules]. Tell Frank to take good care of them and the trees in the yard and I will make him a good present when I get home, if ever.
Vin Stookey has been after his brother, he came the morning before we left that place. I went with him to take
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up his brother [and] we went over the battlefield. He picked up some of the canon rolls to take home. It was a great sight to them and to anyone to see the timber rent all to pieces. A person would wonder how any escaped. It is true the balls was as thick as hail, but for my part I did not feel a bit alarmed; all I thought about was to clean them out and we knew then was a big job ahead of us. Mcintoch & McCullough was killed by our division, that is Jeff Davis. He is an old bully and is well thought of as a General. Lieutenant Stookey died on the 3rd of March, he was a fine fellow. He give me his pistol before he died which I will keep as long as I live. Poor fellow he has gone to try the realities of another world. I hope he is better off than we are.
That left a vacancy for a Lieut. and the boys said they was a going to have a say so in it. It justly belong to the orderly Benee Goodner and they told the captain that I had to be the 2nd Lieutenant. So it was left to a vote and I was elected by a big majority. The orderly could not stand it and he applied for a transfer to the 3rd Illinois Calvary and he got it so he is not in our company anymore.
I think this is the best office in the Company. You get big pay and have nothing to carry but your saber, and can pass any lines that a Captain can and are a perfect gentleman in every sense; a little strap on your shoulder makes a good deal of difference in a mans position in the army. I have found that to be a fact.
I must brag a little on our Captain. He is a noble fellow and he is very sorry that he was not in the battle with us. We had no idea of a fight when he left and he I know did not think of such a thing or he would not have left. Don’t any of you think that he left us for fear of a fight; if you do it is a mistaken idea, he is a lovely young captain.
I believe I got nothing more to write. Give my love to all. You must write oftener. I wrote to you before about seeing David Pots and that he was coming back there and he wanted you to tell Loami [?] to save some of his land for him. So no more, but remain your affectionate brother.
R Gooding
2nd Lieutenant, Co. E, 59th reg
Illinois Vols.
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