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John Clark Esarey Civil War Letters
John Clark Esarey
April 2, 1865 Letter
From: Barbara Ewing Esarey (Oil Township, Perry County, Indiana)
To: John Clark Esarey (Camp of the 53rd Indiana Volunteers, Goldsboro, North Carolina)
"...I hardly know how to write any more this being the 9th letter I have written since I have received any answer."
Letter Image
Other Civil War Letters
The John Clark Esarey Civil War letters document his service in the 53rd Regiment Indiana Volunteers during late 1864 and early 1865, including his participation in Sherman's March to the Sea and the Carolinas Campaign.
Letters from John Clark Esarey to Barbara Ewing Esarey:
- November 8, 1864 – From Marietta, GA
- December 20, 1864
- December 31, 1864
- January 11, 1865
- January 20, 1865
- March 26, 1865
- March 31, 1865
- April 11, 1865
- April 1865 (undated)
- May 10, 1865
- May 26, 1865
- June 2, 1865
Letters from Barbara Ewing Esarey to John Clark Esarey:
- January 22, 1865
- March 19, 1865
- April 2, 1865 (this page)
Letters to/from Parents and Family:
- November 8, 1864 – JCE to Parents
- January 12, 1865 – JCE to Brother
- April 22, 1865 – JCE to Parents
- May 6, 1865 – JDE to JCE
- June 6, 1865 – JDE to JCE
Letters from Other Relatives:
- April 18, 1865 – Jon E. to JCE
- April 18, 1865 – William Carmickle to JCE
- April 22, 1865 – John Ewing to JCE
- April 30, 1865 – Amira Ewing Colby to JCE
- May 7, 1865 – J. Carr to JCE
- May 19, 1865 – Jenkins to JCE
Other Documents:
- May 31, 1865 – JCE Discharge Papers
Historical Context
These letters follow John Clark Esarey from his entry into the 53rd Regiment Indiana Volunteers (September 27, 1864), through his participation in the devastating campaigns of William Tecumseh Sherman known as The March to the Sea and the Carolinas Campaign, to his discharge the following summer in Washington, D.C.
By April 2, 1865, Barbara had written nine letters without receiving any reply — a testament to the difficulty of communication during Sherman's campaigns through the Carolinas. The war was nearly over; Lee would surrender just one week later on April 9th.