Phillip E. Hurd
May 2002
Phillip Erion
Company B, 3rd Illinois Cavalry
When I talked about my Grandfather (Phillip Erion) at the May meeting of the CWRT, the three minute period went very quickly. Later I was asked a lot of questions about part of the enlisted men's lifestyle. We all have read volumes about Generals Lee, Grant, J.E.B. Stuart and battles such as Gettysburg, Bull Run and others too numerous to mention. I was a pfc in the infantry in W.W.II and I found it most interesting to compare that life to what little I knew about my Grandfather's life in 1861 through 1864. I have some letters he wrote while in service and most of them sound just like letters I wrote home from Europe in 1944 and 1945.
From the company roster, I was able to get some interesting information. For example, the majority of the men in his company were between 5ft. 6in. and 5ft. 8in. tall. They all spoke German and understood a minimum amount of English. The majority of the men in the regiment had never seen a negro until they came South with the army. The regiment was raised in the Peoria, Illinois area and each county in that area was required to raise one company of cavalry.
The principle ration was hardtack, which is a biscuit, and had to be soaked in water before eaten. (Soaking in water forced the worms to the surface. This was the original K ration.) On occasion, they would get some salt pork and a ration of coffee.
Most of the feed for the horses came from foraging in the countryside. Since he was in the Army of the Southwest, they spent a lot of time chasing local bushwhackers. These bushwhackers robbed and pillaged the local Southern farms as well as the Union supplies.
One of the things that struck me was the number of desertions. In my Grandfather's company there were 4 deserters. There was nothing said about these deserters and no comments on the company roster. Considering that these fellows spoke mainly German, and were 750 miles from home they would be very conspicuous.
The regiment of 1200 men suffered 243 casualties of which only 35 were killed in battle. The remaining 390 soldiers died from disease or wounds. The regiment was stationed in Louisiana after the Battle of Vicksburg and a majority of the sickness was attributed to those months in that area.
In W.W.II an infantry company had 38 noncoms, and 6 officers. A Civil War cavalry company consisted of 100 men, of which three were commissioned officers, one sergeant and two corporals. It also appears that many of the commissioned officers resigned after one year.
This particular regiment went into combat 43 days after enlistment. The 43 days included 11 days to march from Peoria to Rolla, Missouri. All in all, the regiment was in 45 battles, some of which were well known, but there were 30 skirmishes with Southern cavalry. Company B had four men taken prisoner, all of which died before the end of the war.
When the regiment was in camp, the soldiers were out gathering forage for their horses, or repairing their gear, and tending to their horses. It doesn't sound very thrilling or romantic.
Letters from Phillip Erion (translated from German)
March 13, 1863
My most beloved brother,
I received your letter from 4 March in good health and well being and I am very glad about it for your last greetings and that your family is also well.
You write that you want to know where I am. I was transferred to Helena on the 20th of December and on the 24th we arrived at the Yazoo River. The battle that followed afterwards you have no doubt read about. We went back to the Arkansas River and in half a day we took a fort and it is called Arkansas Fort. I was so happy to come through (without being killed) at both places.
From there we went down the Mississippi River and we came to the Louisiana side 3 miles away from Vicksburg. The Cavalry couldn't move in the swamps (or marshes) so we were sent back to Memphis.
Now we are already for six weeks here two miles from the city and I like it very much. Dear brother, you wanted to know how I like it. I had to go through a lot of obstacles and hardships that I had to endure so that the negroes are finally free. But I don't believe that I had to suffer all those things only to make them free. I am not of the belief that I had to go through all these things only to free these. I don't believe that the negroes will be free in the north after the war (that they can walk around freely). And what I had to go through I liked to do to go through all these hardships and it would be worthwhile if they would be freed but the main thing is that I come alive out of this war and can go home in happiness.
I don't have any other news and nothing to write no more so I greet you and your whole family.
Your brother, Philipp Erion
Comp. B 3rd Ill. Cavalry
Memphis, Tenn.
[And in the margin.] Don't send the bottles. I don't think I'll get them.
Pocahontas, Tennessee
January 16th, 1864
Dear Brother!
I am taking pen in hand to let you know where and how I am. Healthwise I am doing well and hope you and family are well, also. I have been waiting for some time to receive a letter from you but so far have not heard from you. Even after I returned from my furlough and I had written you once before. I am enclosing a photograph (?) so you can see I am still alive and not sick, either. Otherwise there is no news to tell you. I did not attend any of the great Christmas and New Years balls and dances. Instead I went on a Scout (?) which lasted from December 19 to January 3. On New Years Day it was so bonechillingly cold it made me think I had never been as cold in my life. But it is over and has passed and I am just as happy as if I had stayed in Peoria. I think next year I will be at another place where I won't have to hunt for rebels. I am closing in the hope to hear from you soon.
Best regards, your brother Philipp Erion.
Comp. B, 3rd Ill. Cav. Pocahontas
