Letter from John G. Stevens - Civil War - January 1862

Letter from John G. Stevens

Civil War Soldier, Ellsworth Avengers

Chenango Telegraph, January 8, 1862

We are permitted to print the following from a letter written by John G. Stevens - son of Capt. S.S. Stevens, of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY]- to Guy R. Wescott.  In this place we may say that we are sure that there is not, in the whole Federal army, a young man who is actuated by higher feelings of patriotism than our friend John.  He entered the army because he felt in his heart that our country and its free institutions were in peril--that they needed the protection of such strong arms and firm determinations as he possessed--and he went to their defense in no spirit of bravado, nor because he loved wandering and delighted in desperate adventures, but purely and simply that he might do what he thought his share towards defending the home where a father, mother and sisters, whom he dearly loved, quietly dwelt.  His letter is dated at Camp Butterfield.

"Your letter gave great satisfaction to your friend, who is so far from home and kindred, but I feel that it is right for me to be here, and it necessary to lay down my life to sustain such a great and glorious nation as ours, and restore our time honored flag to its former place as the emblem of liberty.  Look at it, friend Guy, and think, if but for a moment, what destruction and desolation this war has caused--think how many widows and orphans it has made--how many firesides it has stripped of the loved ones who were wont to gather about there--and then unite with me in cursing the rebel politicians, who brought it upon our beloved country.  If you could stand with the soldier here and look over the dreary waste of country that lies under his eye--the scene only enlivened by the tents and armaments of the hosts gathered to repel invasion, and put down this rebellion--you would wonder as all do, at the mad folly of those who brought this state of things upon us.  For my part, I am here to aid in righting the wrong we have already suffered--to do my share of the duty which the Ellsworth Avengers were raised to perform.

"I enlisted to aid in protecting the Stars and Stripes, and to do my part towards avenging the murder of the patriot from whom our Regiment took its name, and if I die in pursuit of these objects, I am satisfied that the cause for which I shall perish is the most glorious of any for which many ever fought.

"Everything is quiet along the Potomac, and our only excitement is an occasional skirmish with the rebel pickets.

"These men are perfect brutes, seeming to be actuated by the most fiendish desire to abuse and torture those of our army whom they take prisoners.  About two weeks ago they took three of the 14th regiment, and a short time afterwards their bodies were found bruised in a shameful manner, and their heads pounded to jelly by the butts of muskets.

""Our regiment is no more nor less than it is represented to be.  It is composed of the very best material, and there is scarcely one in it who is not blessed with good morals and a sincere desire to do his best for the country. We are all in good spirits and are comfortably quartered.  Our tents have been made quite close and warm, and we can get along almost as well as at home.  Our cold weather is not very cold.

"Marvin Sherwood reached here about ten days ago, with two recruits.  One of them, Henry Thompson is now down with the measles.  Our health, generally is good."
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From New York Adjutant-General's Report, 1900 for 44th NY Infantry
"Stevens, John G.:  Age, 20 years. Enlisted, August 8, 1861, at Albany, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. D, August 9, 1861; wounded in action, July 1, 1862, at Malvern Hill, Va.; discharged for disability, November 28, 1862, at Philadelphia, Pa."

STEVENS:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], September 3d, of consumption, Mr. John G. Stevens, son of Capt. S.S. Stevens.  [Chenango Union, Sept. 13, 1871]

In Memoriam:  At a Special Meeting of the Norwich league of Friendship, S.M.O.S., at Mechanics' Hall, September 4th, 1871, the following Resolutions were unanimously adopted:

Whereas The Great Architect, through his mysterious ways, having removed from our number our much esteemed Brother, John G. Stevens, while in his youthful manhood, when his hopes of life would seem naturally highest, and prospects and usefulness best known and appreciated:  Therefore,

Resolved, That we recognize in this the hand of the Master Workman, whose wisdom surpasseth our understanding and learn from this forcible illustration that "In the midst of life we are in death."

Resolved, That by his death we lose a worthy Brother, and an earnest friend; that while others may take his place in our League Room, the void space in our hearts occasioned by the loss of a patriotic sympathetic and generous a heart, can never be filled.

Resolved, That we tender our sympathies to the family of the deceased, whose hearts must be more deeply moved than ours at the loss of so kind a husband and affectionate a father.
[Chenango Union, Sept. 13, 1871]

Memorial Record

The Deceased Soldiers of Norwich

Chenango Union, May 29, 1873

John G. Stevens, son of Samuel S. and Elizabeth White Stevens was born at Whitney's Point, Broome County, April 13th, 1842; carriage painter.  Enlisted August 8th, 1861, in Company D, 44th N.Y.H.V.; wounded at Malvern Hill, July 1st 1862; sent to Washington, thence to Philadelphia where he was discharged for gun shot fracture of the leg, November 28th, 1862.  continued in poor health and disabled for a number of years and died of consumption, September 3d, 1871.  buried in Norwich Cemetery.  Left wife and two children.  This soldier had two brothers in the service:  George F., wounded May 5th in the Wilderness, and Samuel S.,Jr., in the 89th, N.Y, who was discharged at the expiration of term of service.
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John G. Stevens is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Norwich, Chenango Co., NY
Tombstone Transcription
John G. Stevens
Died
Sept. 3, 1871
Aged 29 Y'rs
4 Mo's 22 D's
A member of Co. D 44 Regt. N.Y. Vols.