Civil War Letter from 10th NY Cavalry & Death of Lieut. John S. Hicks

 Oxford Times, May 25, 1864

A Letter has been received by his wife from Thomas C. Pettis, of the 10th N.Y. Cavalry.  Mr. Pettis was in the celebrated raid under Sheridan, and his letter written in pencil and in great hurry is dated at Harrison's Landing, where the boys brought up after their perilous adventure.  Mr. Pettis confirms the success of the expedition under Sheridan, was himself inside of the first fortification of Richmond. Says they drove the rebs into their holes, but did not attempt to hold Richmond, being entirely without infantry support.  They captured a number of prisoners and sent them to Washington, and recaptured 400 of our own prisoners from the rebels who were as "glad fellows" as were ever seen, at the prospect of escaping the durance vile of Confederate prison.  Mr. Pettis says they captured "an awful pile of provisions" that was going to the rebel army, and performed sundry other exploits published and unpublished.  Three men were wounded in Company K which was recruited here, and of which Mr. Pettis was a member, viz S. Gait, in the arm and slightly, Samuel Brooks, and T. Sergent wounded in the leg. Several were killed in the regiment, names not given.  Mr. Pettis is well, and has been all the time, and says they expected to lay up for a few days.

Death of Lieut, Hicks - 61st N.Y. Infantry

The sad intelligence of the death of John S. Hicks, formerly with the firm of Balcom & Hicks, of this palce [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY], is confirmed by private letters to his friends.  Mr. Hicks early volunteered into the service, and repeatedly proved by his gallantry and bravery upon the battle field, his sincere devotion to the Union, and that he possessed those qualities which constitute the true soldier and the tried patriot. At the time of his death Mr. Hicks was a member of Company E. 61st N.Y.V., and had been promoted to a second lieutenancy by Governor Seymour, although it is doubtful whether his commission had reached him at the time of his death. He had seen much service, was taken prisoner at the second battle of Bull Run, and confined in the Libby Prison at Richmond.  He received a ball in the thigh which passed around the bone, and which was not extracted until he had been removed from Richmond to hospital in Philadelphia, and then only after much painful and unavailing effort.  Although he could easily have avoided further service Mr. Hicks after his recovery returned to the field, and on the 8th inst, at the early age of 22, fell a martyr to his heroic devotion to his country.  In common with many others we can bear witness to the generous and manly traits of the deceased as a citizen, to which he has superadded what is above all praise, the unclouded honors of the Republic's heroic dead.  Mr Hicks leaves a father and numerous friends at Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], his native place.

From the Adjutant-General's Report (61st N.Y. Infantry)

Hicks, John S.:  Age, 20 years.  Enlisted, September 30, 1861, at New York city, to serve three years; mustered in as sergeant, Co. G. October 17, 1861; wounded in action, June 30, 1862, at White Oak Bridge, Va.; re-enlisted as a veteran, December 21, 1863; transferred to Co. E, March 28, 1864; returned to ranks, no date; killed in action, May 8, 1864, at Corbin's Bridge, Va.  Commissioned, not mustered, second lieutenant, May 10m 1864, with rank from April 1, 1864.