Title: James Pritchard Letter

Date/Date Range :   1864 February 16

Extent: 0.1 linear feet

Abstract:

In this letter written from Waverly, Tenn., and dated February 16, 1864, James E. Pritchard of the 8th Iowa Cavalry writes to his brother John. He comments that the "Rebels" will never regain a hold on East Tennessee, noting that in Waverly, 300 Confederates surrendered and took the oath of allegiance.

Call number: MS-2154

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Aquisition Information:

Collection was purchased by Special Collections in August 2001.

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of Item], James Pritchard Letter, MS-2154. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Collection consists of a single letter.

The exact dates of birth and death for James E. and John N. Pritchard are unknown. James E. Pritchard mustered into the 8th Iowa Cavalry on September 30, 1863, as a 1st Lieutenant and the Regimental Commissary of Subsistence. The 8th Iowa began its service in Waverly, Tennessee, and points west of Nashville, Tennessee, where they served guard and garrison duty and operated against guerrillas until March of 1864. They were next assigned to the Atlanta (Georgia) Campaign from May to September of 1864. They continued on to the pursuit of General Nathan Bedford Forrest (September 25-October 10, 1864) and the Nashville Campaign (November-December, 1864). They were subsequently involved with an expedition into Mississippi (January 5-21, 1865), Wilson's Raid to Macon, Georgia, (March 22-May 1, 1865) and the occupation of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Their final assignment was to Georgia, where they served until mustering out on August 13, 1865.

In 1864, John N. Pritchard (the brother of James Pritchard) was a member of Company K of the 7th Regiment, Iowa Cavalry. Company K, along with companies L and M, were originally organized for 41st Iowa Battalion. The 7th Regiment moved to Omaha, Nebraska, in June of 1863 and was assigned to duty at various points in Nebraska and Dakota where they served as garrison, guarded lines of telegraph and travel, escorted trains, and protected "Emigrants." In the course of this duty, they came into frequent conflict with local Native Americans in the Departments of Missouri, Kansas and the Northwest, a situation extremely unusual in the Civil War.

James [E. Pritchard] writes to his brother John N. Pritchard who is serving in Company K, 7th Iowa Calvary, Fort Randall, Dakota Territory as seen on the envelope included with the letter. James comments on the length of time that it takes to receive mail from Iowa City, sometimes as much as a month. He believes that the rebels have to give up soon. He writes that the "Rebels" will never regain a hold on east Tennessee. In Waverly, Tennessee 300 confederates surrendered and have "taken the oath." James hopes that his brother will write again soon.

• Tennessee -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal Narratives.
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal Narratives.
• United States. Army. Iowa Cavalry Regiment, 7th (1861-1864).
• United States. Army. Iowa Cavalry Regiment, 8th (1863-1865).
• Soldiers -- Iowa -- Correspondence.