This From George
Civil War Letters of Sergeant
George Magusta Englis
1861-1865
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Title: This from George Copyright 2001 by Eileen M. Patch
About the Book: With 59 letters as a core, annotations
flesh out his life and relate it to family, friends, neighborhood, and war
campaigns. His was such a small part of the Union's ultimate success that it
didn't matter to the war's outcome. Or did it? The collective presence of
thousands similar to him worked the war machinery. The Foreword places the letter-writer in
time and location. George's letters are in chronological order and grouped by
campaigns. An Interim Word describes a parade welcoming the veteran
volunteers, who reenlisted, home on furlough, and stands between the letters
from George's two terms of enlistment. The Afterword tells about life after
the war. The letters extend through most of the war
period. The first one was written in October of 1861 at camp of instruction
in Elmira, NY; the last in June of 1865 from the U.S. General Hospital at
Hampton, VA in which he requests that he go "home once more." He
was wounded on April 2nd, one week before the surrender at Appomattox. The variety of places this farm boy saw is
remarkable. He traveled the east coast by transport ship from Boston, MA to
Charleston, SC. He toured the Chesapeake Bay, the Dismal Swamp Canal and the
York, Pamunkey, Potomac and James Rivers. On foot and by train he noted
history in cities, villages and country. After a 150-mile march he wrote that
he stood the march "first rate" but hoped he'd never have to make
another march. The letters reflect George's growth. Twenty
years old when he enlisted and 24 when he went home, he matured ahead of his
years. His later letters included his post-war plans: to go west, engage in a
meat-processing business, send his sister to school. He was generous with his
war pay and bounty; his parents bought farmland with some of it. At the Battle of Fredericksburg, George's
company crossed the river in pontoon boats to remove Confederate snipers
interfering with the Union's pontoon bridge laying. He wrote, "Not a man
that got into the boats expected to land alive. But they did and no one was
hurt." Although George came through many battles unscathed, ultimately
his luck ran out. George wrote from the hospital, "I have one great consolation...the war is ended & the Rebellion crushed, &...soon peace will again smil [sic] on our land." Many years later his brother wrote that George was "well content to be numbered among those who had fought the good fight "
About the Author: Patch inherited the 57 letters the family
saved from those George wrote home during the Civil War. This inheritance and
her long-time interest in family history led to an intense study of her great
uncle's war experience, including trips to battlefield sites and research at
military archives. The study led to this book. The letters, many signed "This from
George," are a brief history of service in the 89th New York Regiment
from 1861 until 1865 as seen through the eyes of a Corbettsville farm boy.
They gradually reveal the personality and values of Sergeant George Magusta
Englis; each letter puts the reader closer to the soldier's soul. Patch has a BS in elementary education from
SUNY Potsdam and raised three children with her husband, F. David Patch. She
founded a private preschool and has worked as an organist and choir director.
She has edited club newsletters and written magazine articles. This is her
first book. |
Send email questions by clicking below. To purchase, click the button below to use Paypal: Or send a check or money order for $29 ($31 if shipped in NYS) and your shipping address to: Eileen Patch Listen to a radio interview with Eileen: Presentation Available: Ms. Patch does a living history performance suitable for many history, geneology and Civil War groups. Upcoming Performances: Past Performances: To contact Mrs. Patch click below. Click Here Other websites for Civil War information: http://www.WarAndRedemption.com http://members.aol.com/jcoy13/ |
