The Friendly Truce at Chattanooga

Writing to his wife back home in Ohio, Lieutenant Frank Hardy of the 94th Ohio described the unofficial truce that had developed between the Confederate and Federal pickets outside of Chattanooga by mid-November 1863.

    "At the point where we do picket duty, there is a creek between the two picket lines and they stand within speaking distance of each other and for the most part within plain sight of each other so as to make a first-rate mark to shoot at," he wrote. "But neither side manifests any disposition to molest the other. On the contrary, they seem to be generally disposed to be friendly towards each other, so much so that one can hardly realize that the two parties are at war with each other."

    The following letter, written ten days before the Battle of Missionary Ridge, appears on the blog courtesy of Dale Niesen.


First Lieutenant Frank A. Hardy, Co. C, 94th Ohio Volunteer Infantry at right with his wife Elizabeth. Hardy had served in the Mexican War and would serve three years in the Civil war in the 94th Ohio, ending the war as captain of Co. K, later serving as a judge in Piqua, Ohio. 

Chattanooga, Tennessee

November 15, 1863

My dear wife,

          I take the present opportunity to write a few lines to you. You will see that I have answered the letter which I received from the dear little boy a few days since. Your part of the letter I have already answered. I wrote you a ,long letter day before yesterday and gave you the best directions I could in regard to business. I enclosed in the letter the sum of $300 (6 bills of $50 each) which I sent to Ohio by Captain Perry Stewart of the 94th Ohio who has resigned and started home to Springfield, Ohio yesterday morning. I need not repeat the contents of the letter for if it arrives safely, you will know what to do.

          I don’t know if I have any particular news to write at this time. This is my 30th letter in about 75 days. I am still well and getting along first rate. I was out of picket duty yesterday and last night. Our regiment goes out about once a week. At the point where we do picket duty, there is a creek between the two picket lines and they stand within speaking distance of each other and for the most part within plain sight of each other so as to make a first-rate mark to shoot at. But neither side manifests any disposition to molest the other. On the contrary, they seem to be generally disposed to be friendly towards each other, so much so that one can hardly realize that the two parties are at war with each other.

          If the two picket lines should get to skirmishing, our line could fall back behind some breastworks so as to be well protected and the Rebels can get behind trees and breastworks so as to be well protected. There is a good deal of timber on their side of the creek. Two of the Rebel pickets managed to get across the creek last night and came over and gave themselves up. They represent the Rebel army as being very short of army supplies of all kinds. They also say many more would desert to our army if it was not for the fear of being exchanged and sent back into the Rebel lines and perhaps shot as deserters.

          Everything seems to be quiet here at present except two batteries (one Rebel and one Federal) which throw more or less shells every day into the camps of their opponents, but so far about all either has accomplished has been to make a big noise. For several weeks they have kept it up and so far we have not had a man killed and but two or three wounded.

          I will close for the present. Write often if it is but a few words for I am anxious to hear from my treasures as often as I can. May God bless and protect my dear wife and children and give them peace and happiness is the constant prayer of my heart.

I am yours affectionately,

Frank A. Hardy


Source:

Letter from First Lieutenant Francis Amos Hardy, Co. C, 94th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Dale Niesen Collection


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