Record 119/278 Catalog Record Civil War Exhibit Page Home Search Description  The following letter was written by George Chamberlain, Company G, 1st Wisconsin Cavalry, to Charles Bates, announcing the death of his brother, George Bates, enlisted August 21, 1862 in Port Washington and was mortally wounded at Bloomfield, Missouri on April 29, 1863. Bloomfield, Missouri, May 1, 1863 Dear Friend Charles, I now take my pen in hand to write you a few sorrowful lines. We had a large battle at Cape Girardeau April 29. The fight began at 10 o'clock in the morning and lasted until 10 o'clock in the afternoon. George was in the fight and he fought bravely too. Chris Bjorensen was killed and Sargent O'Neal of Company C. Chris was in our company [if you] recollect. The rebels retreated and we started after them the 28th and overtook them about 6 miles from this place. They were calculating to stand us another fight here at Bloomfield, but we overtook them before they got here and opened fire into them at the Caster River. George was out skirmishing and got wounded in the groin of his right leg. The ball entered his bowels. He was taken into a house and kept there one day and one night. And now it comes hard to me to say that he is dead. He died on the 30th at twelve o'clock at night and was buried this morning. I was not with him myself, but Bernard Schultis was left with him. Bernard says that he was washed, had clean clothes, his pants and jacket was washed clean, and he was buried in his uniform. Dan Fisher was wounded slightly in the right knee. Frank McCarty was shot in the right knee and had his leg cut off just above the knee. Several [were] killed instantly in the other companies. Edwin Morgan has got George's things in [his] charge and has got his pocket book with what money there is in it. I am left back here to take care of Frank McCarty. The regiment and [the] whole division is still following the rebels on to Chalk Bluffs. This is all for this time. Ed will write and give you the particulars. From your friend, George Chamberlain.

Letter from George Chamberain -THE CIVIL WAR -Copyright Oshkosh Public Museum COPYRIGHT INFORMATION ~ For access to this image, contact scross@ci.oshkosh.wi.us

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Last modified on: July 22, 2007