Veterans column: Capt. Levi Coman's regiment makes its way up the Tennessee River
Capt. Levi Coman promised his family he would write often, and he was keeping his word. He used one sheet of paper that was about 8 inches by 10 inches. He folded it in half so that he could get four pages of text in each letter, using all the space he could.
“Monday morning March 17, 1862. We have stopped for coal about two miles below Savannah (Tennessee) but will go on up in a few minutes. The morning is fine and sunny. So is much in contrast with the old rainy days we have been having for some days past. The birds are singing so sweetly and all seems so peaceful that I can hardly think we are on the path of war. We have certainly escaped the cold March winds of Ohio and our Colonel thinks we have passed through the roughest part of the season and that we will hereafter have fine warm weather. Indeed, I hope so. This lying on the cold, wet ground is not conducive to comfort. There is not a bit of warmth in snow as a bed. The only way I have been able to sleep at all has been to sit by a fire till I got well warmed through. Then lie down and sleep till I got all cold through and so work through the night. Don’t you think this must be delightful to one who loves a nice warm bed as much as I do?
Veterans column: Capt. Levi Coman's 76th Ohio infantry arrives in rainy Paris, Tennessee
“We have comparatively good living here on the boat. Warm biscuits, ham, potatoes, rice, hominy, coffee, but no butter or milk and no fresh meat of any kind. I have had fresh beef once since I’ve landed at Fort Donelson four weeks ago. All this I get along with very well. Give me good health and I will eat anything. I am now quite well and can go ahead again in full force. I will add a few lines just before the mail closes if possible though I may not have time. Good bye dearest. Good Bye again my little ones. I come to you this beautiful morning and sit and sing and pray with and for you all. God is near to us all. I want you all to pray to him for me, that I may be able to do my whole duty boldly and bravely. That I may retain my love and reverence for him and come back pure in thought, word and deed having no act to look back upon which I am ashamed to tell you all about or which I would not have done had I been at home. My dear girl I love you much. Your kindness, purity and love have a great power in keeping me above the coarse wickedness in camp. I prize so much that packet you made for me. It and my nightcap are two of the most useful things I have and are really of great value to me.
Veterans column: From along the Tennessee River, Capt. Levi Coman asks his wife for brandy
“Tuesday morning. We have been lying at our landing about two miles above Savannah all night. Only four letters from you so far, at the same mail I got the North American of March 7 so you see your letters are irregular too. W.B. Wood has only had one letter from home. Oh, my dear, imagination can’t picture how I long for letters. I know you write often. But in this vast crowd, I do not expect much regularity in mails. Be of good cheer my dear Mattie. God is over all. We will be reunited and happy again before long.
“Our Colonel says have letters directed to 76 Reg, in expedition up Tennessee River via Paducah, KY. This last direction is right one. Make the figure 76 very large and plain. Good bye dearest. Last word to all. Goodbye, little ones. Be good and kind to mother. Love her, love each other, love God. Father loves you all very much. Yours ever Levi.”
Doug Stout is the Licking County Library local history coordinator. You may contact him at 740.349.5571 or dstout@lickingcountylibrary.org.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Licking County veterans column: Capt. Levi Coman makes his way upriver
