Civil War 150: Philip Henry Rutter, part 6

Philip Henry Rutter served in the Civil War in Company K, 12th Iowa Volunteer Regiment from March 28, 1864 to July 14, 1864.  His parents, Emerson and Mary (Nichols) Rutter, both applied for pensions based on his service.  Found in the pension file were five letters Philip wrote home during May 1864.  Each letter provides a window into life in the army during the Civil War and details of Philip's unique experiences.
To read the letters, see the Intro,  Part 1, Part 2,  Part 3, Part 4 & Part 5.

The reason why Philip's parents were able to apply for pensions under him is because Philip was killed during the Battle of Tupelo, Mississippi on 14 July 1864.  I have not been able to find out any specific information about Philip's death. He is buried at Cornith National Cemetery in Cornith, Mississippi.  His information is entered into two Burial Registers for Cornith:

[1]

[2]

The first Register gives a report that might contain more information.  Both Registers list the burial location: Section I, grave 570.  Today the location has changed slightly and is now officially Section I, Grave 1270.

[3]

_____________________________________________________________________________
[1] "U.S., Burial Registers, Military Posts and National Cemeteries, 1862-1960," digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : downloaded 12 November 2012), "Burial Records. National Cemetery at Corinth, Miss.," p. 177 (penned), entry for P.H. Rutter (co. K, 12 Iowa); the entry for P.H. Rutter and four others are part of sheet that has been glued onto the ledger; Burial Registers of Military Post and National Cemeteries, compiled ca. 1862–ca. 1960; Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774–1985, RG 92; NARA, Washington, D.C.
[2] U.S., Burial Registers, Military Posts and National Cemeteries, 1862-1960," digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : downloaded 12 November 2012), "Record Book of internments in the National Cemetery at Cornith, Mississippi," p. 65 (stamped), entry for P.H. Rutter (Co. K, 12 Iowa); Burial Registers of Military Post and National Cemeteries, compiled ca. 1862–ca. 1960; Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774–1985, RG 92; NARA, Washington, D.C.
[3] Find A Grave, Inc., FindAGrave.com, digital images, (http:/www.findagrave.com : downloaded 25 November 2006); photograph, “gravestone for P H Rutter ( - 1864), Memorial No. 3177953, Records of the Corinth National Cemetery, Corinth, Mississippi;" photograph © Vicki Burress Roach.

Civil War 150: Philip Henry Rutter, part 5

Philip Henry Rutter served in the Civil War in Company K, 12th Iowa Volunteer Regiment from March 28, 1864 to July 1, 1864.  His parents, Emerson and Mary (Nichols) Rutter, both applied for pensions based on his service.  Found in the pension file were five letters Philip wrote home during May 1864.  Each letter provides a window into life in the army during the Civil War and details of Philip's unique experiences.

This is the fifth letter, see the Intro,  Part 1, Part 2,  Part 3 & Part 4.

May 28, 1864

This letter is my favorite.  Philip talks the happenings in his home town and the family he left behind, sharing news from his sister-in-law Mary [(Finch) Rutter, wife of Alonzo].  He shares bits of news from the two brothers, Hollis and Jubal, he keeps running into, including the fact that Jubal took his extra pair of boots for himself.  Philip he mentions he got a letter from his other brother Lon [Alonzo].  And yet a war is still going on around them and Philip is apart of it every day.

[1]

Camp 12^th Iowa
   Memphis Tenn May 28^th 64

Dear Mother & Father
   It is with pleasure that I take my pen in hand at this time to rite a few lines to you. we are still in our old Camp and on Pickit as usual. I have been trubled with the Liaree a little but am getting over it a little[crossed out] now, Hollis came down this morning but I have not seen him yet, one of the boys was down Town and see him and he gave the letter to him you rote and it aforded me much pleasure to here from home I had not had a letter from home in a week before. I rote you a letter day before yesterday which I hope you will get. you rote in your letter that you had got your planting done and that you had painted the Citchen and the Poarch. and I expect it makes the house look a great deal biter than it did before I was glad to here that those Goosboyes were doing well this summer for they were such nice bushes I am in hopes that by the time they bare again I will be at home to eat some of them and if Grant is sucesesfull in taking Richmond we will be at home by this time next year. I am glad that you have pleanty of milk now for it is so good to use in the family. we have a consiterable ^milk in the line of toal ant on Picket and it comes in good play in over Coffee. I would like to be at home to work in the Garden this ummer but you must do the best you can and mabe I will hoe it next summer at least I am in hope I will
   Hollis said he would come up here on Monday he would come up tomorrow but the felow told him that we would ^be out on pickit Jubal was up here yesterday he came up to get my boots for hisen was all worn out. I received a letter from Mary yesterday she is well she says the children are going to school this summer she did not rite much. Jub received a letter from Lon the other day they are still on the Island yet they have got 5 forts built and are still at work building more he says they are busy all the time at work on drilling but I dont think they have any more Duty to do than we have ^for we have all we can ^do at any rote as much as we want and expect to get pay in a few days but I dont now as I will get any or not if I do it wont be much nut if I can spare any I will send it home. and when we are paid off again we will get some more of out Bounty and then I will send about fifty Dallars home for it to be. I mite keep all of my money and spend it and when I had spent it I would not feel as well as if I had sent it home. and of I send it home I will have some thing to show.
   Well I don't now as I can think of any more to rite at this time rite as soon as you get this and tell me all the news I will rite as often as I can and that is all I can do.
   I send my love to all the folks and a good share to yourselves so good by for this time.
   from your Dear son
      Philip
   to his
      Parents
 _________________________________________________________________________________
[1] Philip Rutter to "Dearest Mother & Father" [Emerson and Mary (Nichols) Rutter], letter, 28 May 1864; Mary E. Rutter, mother's pension application no. 223,150, certificate no. M.O.C. 193,691, for service of Philip H. Rutter (Pvt., Co. K, 12th Iowa Inf., Civil War); Case Files of Approved Pension Applications ..., 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files; Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Civil War 150: Philip Henry Rutter, part 4

Philip Henry Rutter served in the Civil War in Company K, 12th Iowa Volunteer Regiment from March 28, 1864 to July 1, 1864.  His parents, Emerson and Mary (Nichols) Rutter, both applied for pensions based on his service.  Found in the pension file were five letters Philip wrote home during May 1864.  Each letter provides a window into life in the army during the Civil War and details of Philip's unique experiences.

This is the second letter, see the Intro,  Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3.

May 16, 1864

[1]

Camp 12^th Iowa
Memphis Tenn May 16^th
64
Dearest Mother
I received yours of the 7^th and[crossed out] in due season, and was glad to here from you once more. I am as well as ever I was in my life. we are having very pleasant ^weather here now but the nights are very cold though we expected to be ^be rerieved from Duty but we was grandly mistakened we went out yesterday morning on Picket expecting to be relieved today but when we got into Camp an order came for six Companys to prepare to go to white river but we dident happen to be A one of the Companys so thare is only 4 Companys left in the regiment, and we have the same Duty (with the exceptions of getting up in the morning at 4 oclock) we had before in regard to being Vacinatid. I can say that I have been and it is working very well. I expect I will have a pretty sore arm before it is through with. but that is beter than to have the Small Pox. thare is three cases of it in the Regiment but they are getting along very well. that man that was shot last week is dead he died yesterday and was bureyed today he left his fami-ly very destituite. Jubal was over here the other day he said that they received Orders to go up to St. Louis to leawse thire Horsses & Ecnteamnets but the Order was Countrmanded. I don't think that I will get out of practice of milking while I am in the Army for if any cows come around the Pickets they generly get milked I am glad you have received the money that I sent for I began to be uneasy about it but it is safe now. and let it be used to the best advantage. that Blue Bell that you sent made me think of the Garden I suppose Peas onions Potatoes and such thing are up but they are big enough to eat down here. it is nice to go along and see the gardens with the flowers all bloomed out. I will send you a sample of some of the rosies in this letter Keep them and when you look at them think of Philip. . well Dear Mother I ^must close for now Keep up good spirits and all will turn out ^well in the end so good by for this time rite soon and often
From your Dear son
Philip
To his
Mother.
_________________________________________________________________________________
[1]  Philip Rutter to "Dearest Mother" [Mary (Nichols) Rutter], letter, 16 May 1864; Mary E. Rutter, mother's pension application no. 223,150, certificate no. M.O.C. 193,691, for service of Philip H. Rutter (Pvt., Co. K, 12th Iowa Inf., Civil War); Case Files of Approved Pension Applications ..., 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files; Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Civil War 150: Philip Henry Rutter, part 3

Philip Henry Rutter served in the Civil War in Company K, 12th Iowa Volunteer Regiment from March 28, 1864 to July 1, 1864.  His parents, Emerson and Mary (Nichols) Rutter, both applied for pensions based on his service.  Found in the pension file were five letters Philip wrote home during May 1864.  Each letter provides a window into life in the army during the Civil War and details of Philip's unique experiences.

This is the second letter, see the Intro,  Part 1 & Part 2.

May 10, 1864

[1]

Camp 12^th Iowa
Memphis Tenn May 10^th 64
Dear Mother & Father
I take my pen in hand at this time to rite a few lines to let you now that I am well and hope that this will find ^you enjoying the same great blessing. I received a letter from you Sunday and it was the first one I have received since I [?] left. I say three cheers for the School hurrah hurrah hurrah but those ^that go for their month servis will think that they are brave soldiers when they get back they can tell some of the greatest yarns that was ever none of. I expect when we get back that we wont be any think besige of them but we will show them. we ^are having very rainy weather here now it comes eed raining yester while are were out on Picket we had a very sever sone this after noon it was a reagler wind storme. we had all we could do to keep our tents from blowing over and after the wind was over it comenced raining and at rainded as hard as ever I see it flooded our tent all over and we got our blankets all wet. I was glad we had to get on picket that night for we had some boards to lay on but if had staid in camp we would ^have had to lay in the mud. but we had a hard time of it after all for a little while after we got to one post it comenced raining as hard as ever and then it comenced graining cold and we suffered with it some. I was on the last relief and I stood about 4 hours and it was colder thin than any part of the night. I think thare will be a very heavy frost tonight I want you to rite and tell me whether Henry Jackson has enlisted or not and Ed Smith also. I glory in little Johny Davis'es spunk. but I suppose he gots as drummer if you had not paid Mr Difendeffer & Mr Taylor what I owed them I wished you would for ^(told) I them that I would just as quick as I got my pay. we had some break and milk for our breakfast this morning but it was dear eating for we had to pay twenty cents a quart for milk. we had good news from Grants Army last night if it was them and I hope it is, if is it will put a damper on the rebels that they wonnt get over for some time. I rote a letter to Cousin Edman the other day. I guess his folks will think little Fip is not quite as little he was when we left thare when they ^get it. I am in hopes I will get a letter from ^home before long for I am uneasy about the money that I sent. when it comes I want you to use it just to the best advantage you can. I would like to have you pay up for the ^place as quick as you can for then we will have a home we can call our owe. we expect to get paid off again in a few days and then I will send home some more and I want mother to take some of it and get some things for herself. if she don't I will give her a scolding. the more I see of Memphis the more I like it for it always looks so well and clean and they have ^such pretty yards. thare is a place down town that they call the Soldiers Cristian Commision and the soldiers eary go thare and ritce and they furnish pens ink and paper free of charge, and they have all kinds of books to read and they have a Melodin thare and thare is a Lady thare that plays on it. I tell you ^that it is a nice place. you said you wanted me to get Vaxinated. I was Vaxinated last Tuesday but I don't think it is again to work Jubes did not. well Dear Parents I must stop writing for this time for I cant think of any more to rite. give my love to all and keep a good share to yourselves. so good by for this time.
this from yours Dear son, Philip
______________________________________________________________________________
[1]  Philip Rutter to "Dear Mother & Father" [Emerson and Mary (Nichols) Rutter], letter, 10 May 1864; Mary E. Rutter, mother's pension application no. 223,150, certificate no. M.O.C. 193,691, for service of Philip H. Rutter (Pvt., Co. K, 12th Iowa Inf., Civil War); Case Files of Approved Pension Applications ..., 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files; Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Civil War 150: Philip Henry Rutter, part 2

Philip Henry Rutter served in the Civil War in Company K, 12th Iowa Volunteer Regiment from March 28, 1864 to July 1, 1864.  His parents, Emerson and Mary (Nichols) Rutter, both applied for pensions based on his service.  Found in the pension file were five letters Philip wrote home during May 1864.  Each letter provides a window into life in the army during the Civil War and details of Philip's unique experiences.

This is the second letter, see the Intro & Part 1.

May 7, 1864

On Pickit in the rear
of Memphis May 7^th

Dear Mother
   It is with the greatest of pleasure that I sit down at this time to rite a few lines to let you now that I am well. we moved from Fort Pickering last monday and camped about 2 miles north of Memphis and I think we will stay thare for a month or two we have a good deal of Duty to do we have to go on Picket every other night and we generly of about 2 miles and to elop the climax we have to get up every other morning at 4 oclock and form in line of battle and stand thare until the sun is up that is dun to put us on our guard so as to be ready for an attack for old Forest is ar-round here. but I think we will be releived from so much in a day or so at least I hope so. for we have had to march so much the last week that my feet are blistered so that it hirts so to walk they are a getting better than they wer and if we are relieved from so much duty they will get will in a few days. Jube was over to see me the other day and stayed all day with me and we went over to the forth Cavelry to see the boys but they were all out on scout but Billey Young he did not go out with them for he had no hors he was quite glad to see us. he says he likes soldiery better ^now than he did when he first went in he says Jane is as harty as a buck and as fast as ever. Jube says he wishes he was in our regiment he says that thare is such a hard set in the Q: the government are using the smuglers just ritee acording to my notion they are a hanging them up as fast as possible they hang one the friday before we got here and they hand one yesterday and they have got some more to hang. thare is an neagro that hangs them the gets fifty dollars for every one the[crossed out] he hangs they have been smugling munition out to old Forest I would like to ent the rope for fifty of the villens worse than willens. Thare was a man shot the other day by some cavely man he was shot through the brest and thare is but little hope for him he belonged to the state malitia and he had got permit to take some provisions out through the pickets and with this stuf he had a jig of whiskey and the cavelry men were drunk and heard of it and so they stationed themselves on the road and when he came along they stoped him and saif they wanted his whis-key and he would not let them have it for he said they had enough and at that one of them drawed a revolver and shot him he was brought up to one hospi-tle and he is taken the of care of but the Doctor ^{think he} will be a prety hard time of it I found an old acainonce yesterday and who do you think it was is was Dell French he was for in the twelfth ever since it went out he is Fife Major in the regiments band. we are agoin to be paid oft in a few days and them I will send some more money home and I want you to take what I send home this time and use it for your self I have not received any letters from home since I left and I am geting aneions to here I think thare will be sum to night when we get in from Picket one Picket post to day is in an old Cotten field and the Cotten is coming up as thik as it can store. I guess that I have riten enough for this time I want you to rite as soon as you get this and tell me all news tell he news[?] rite before he starts back.
   this from your Dear son
     Philip

Direct your letters
to Memphis Tenn
Co. K 12 Iowa Inf

P.S. As I was going up to the other I came across a very prety flower garden and I went and picked some of the flowers and I will send them to you acept them as a token of love.
   Philip

_______________________________________________________________________________
[1] Philip Rutter to "Dear Mother" [Mary (Nichols) Rutter], letter, 7 May 1864; Mary E. Rutter, mother's pension application no. 223,150, certificate no. M.O.C. 193,691, for service of Philip H. Rutter (Pvt., Co. K, 12th Iowa Inf., Civil War); Case Files of Approved Pension Applications ..., 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files; Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Civil War 150: Philip Henry Rutter, part 1

Philip Henry Rutter was born about 1846 in Allegany County, New York to Emerson and Mary (Nichols) Rutter.  He was the youngest of four boys.  In 1856 the family moved to Delaware County, Iowa. At the age of 18 years old he enlisted on March 28, 1864.  He was assigned and enlisted to Company K, 12th Iowa Volunteer Regiment on April 26, 1864.

Philip's father and mother both applied for a pension based on his service, claiming that his labor helped support him. Only his mother's application was approved.

[1]

As part of his mother's application, she submitted five letters Philip wrote to her during his service in May 1864.  The original letters are still in Philip's pension file at the National Archives.  The letters provide a rich picture of Philip's life in the army: from running into his brothers, Hollis and Jubal, at various encampments, being vaccinated, descriptions of the new places he has traveled to, worry for those at home, and many other details of life.

The first letter in the pension file was written to "Father & Mother" from Fort Pickering, Memphis, Tennessee on May 1, 1864.

[2]

May 1^st
64
Fort Pickering
Dear Father & Mother
   I sit down at this time to rite a few lines to you to let  you now that I am well and whare I am were started from Cario day before yesterday for Memphis on the boat Jurniney and g arived here today and came up to Fort Pickering and the first one I saw Jub he was quit surprised to see me he Had not heard that I had enlisted for he says that he has not received any letters from Home since he left. we have a very pleasant place here to camp here it is a dry place and that is half the battle. I formed a very poar opinion of Cario is  the most filhy place I ever was in in my life it is down in ^a swamp. I was glad when the orders came to leave. but Memphis is A rite the other way it is on rising ground and it is dry and pleasant. thare is a great dele of diference in the vegitation here than thare is up in Iowa the trees all leaves and flowers are in bloom. the gardens are real farward onions are large enough to eat and peas are a pot and half. the day before we left Davinport I recived my pay and I expressed $60 dollars home. and I expressed my lathes with David Fearington as he was again to send hisen and he sent them to Jessy Crow and when you[crossed out] they come you can go and get them we expect to receive our arms today or tomorrow and then we will leave probily but we don't now, we may stay here fore a month or two or we may start in a day as to. I will rite before we leave. thare is about 12 thousand neagroes in the Fort here and they are as proud as any Officer in the fort it is pretty hard thing to pass them when they are on guard if you are withing twenty yards of them and you don't hald they will shute you well I must stop writing for this time. you must rite as soon as you get this so good by for this time yuors in hast
Philip
Direct your litters to
Company K: 12^th regiment Iowa
infantry Via Cario Ill
______________________________________________________________________________
[1] "Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934," digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : downloaded 4 May 2014); Philip H. Rutter (Co. K, 12th Iowa Inf.) index card; imaged from General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934, microfilm publication T288 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives [n.d.]), roll 409.
[2]  Philip Rutter to "Dear Father & Mother" [Emerson and Mary (Nichols) Rutter], letter, 1 May 1864; Mary E. Rutter, mother's pension application no. 223,150, certificate no. M.O.C. 193,691, for service of Philip H. Rutter (Pvt., Co. K, 12th Iowa Inf., Civil War); Case Files of Approved Pension Applications ..., 1861-1934; Civil War and Later Pension Files; Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Civil War 150th

The American Civil War began on April 12, 1861 and lasted for four years, officially ending on May 9, 1865.  Across the United States commemoration have been held, remembering that 150 years ago our country was torn apart and no aspect of life was untouched.  Many of us had ancestors who fought on one side or the other.  Some of us are fortunate that today we have a detailed record of our ancestors lives during those four years through diaries, letters, photographs and other personal mementos.  Others must piece together what our ancestors lived through by combing enlistment records, newspapers, pension files, and other official records. 

I have four direct ancestors who found in the Civil War, on the Union side:

Alexander Cole (1837 - 1907),  Company I, 140th Ohio Infantry

Jason Linderman (1840 - 1876), Company A, 9th Michigan Infantry

Alonzo John Rutter (1837 - 1910), Company K, 21st Iowa Infantry

Jonathan Shaw (1827 - 1878), Company D, 56th Ohio Infantry

Many of their brothers, brothers-in-laws, cousins, and friends also joined them.  A few distant cousins fought for the Confederacy.  For all of my veterans I needed to weigh through the official records to determine what their experience was like.  Last year I got lucky and a cousin shared a photograph with me of one of my ancestors, Alonzo Rutter, in uniform.

Alonzo John Rutter, ca. 1862

The Rutter brothers' service has long been of special interest to me.  Emerson and Mary (Nichols) Rutter had four surviving children, all boys:

Alonzo John Rutter (1837-1910)

Hollis E. Rutter (1842-1914)

Jubal Adelbert Rutter (1844-1936)

Philip Henry Rutter (1846-1864)

All four brothers fought in the Civil War.  The middle two brothers, Hollis and Jubal, served together in Company I, 2nd Iowa Calvary. The youngest, Philip, was killed in action.  All four brothers would have pension requests filed.  It was in Philip's pension files, first applied by his father, then his mother, that I found some of most amazing records: five original letters written by Philip to his parents.