Archive Record

Metadata

Accession number

2004.429

Catalog Number

2004.429.00

Collection

Pearce Civil War Collection

Object Name

Letter

Title

Crane (James) Papers, 1862-1863

Creator

Crane (James E.)

Dates of Creation

1862-1863

Scope & Content

Letters (1862-1863; 14 items) and military records (1863; 11 photocopied items) document the Civil War service career of James E. Crane. Two letters document his participation in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. The first letter (May 8, 1863; 28 pages) meticulously details the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia (May 1-4, 1863). The letter includes three sketches drawn by Crane showing troop locations at critical points in the battle. In his letter, Crane described Confederate attacks on Union positions: ". . . on they came - and when within half a musket shot, our brave boys of the 2nd Division gave them a volley which sent death and destruction thro their midst, - but nothing daunted they pressed on, as if they courted death but our fire was invincible, of all that host that swarmed in solid column toward us not a man Ever reached the works, they fell by hundreds fell like flakes of Snow, fell like the leaves of autumn." Crane also summed up the losses of his brigade: "The next day, we made up a report of our losses - of the 2100 men which companied our brigade, 602, we found killed or wounded and 83 missing, one third." In closing his letter, Crane noted his own luck as a survivor: "Who Knows or who shall tell, but my being a foot to the right or a foot to the left in consequence of previous events, prevented the murderous shells from drinking my life blood."
On July 18, 1863, Crane described the 3rd Wisconsin's pursuit of Lee's army after the battle of Gettysburg. As Lee's army escaped across the Potomac and out of reach of its pursuers, Crane expressed his frustration with Union military leaders' failure to press the issue: "Of course I am not in so good a position to judge as our chief in whom I have great confidence but personally I feel humiliated and disgraced - that the Rebel Army defeated demoralized all but Panic-stricken should have been permitted to leave the North bank of the Potomac with out at least a serious effort on our part to annihilate them. True they were strongly posted in the crest of the strongest ridge behind Earth works. We might have been repulsed but then we might and probably would have been successful. I never saw our troops so eager for battle. They would have been heroes in spite of themselves rather than undertake another Virginia campaign. In case we could break their lines the war would have virtually ended as three fourth of them would have been taken prisoners."
Despite the military setback of Lee's escape, Crane remained optimistic about the general course of the Union war effort: "I can even now see Peace in the distance the dark clouds which hung over Vicksburg and Port Hudson have been dissipated and if God grants his favor this campaign will be the last one. May he give us strength to endure. The riots in NY City and elsewhere while they are serious are only local and temporary and will not interfere essentially with the campaign." However, just eleven days later (July 29), after his resignation from the 3rd Wisconsin, Crane wrote: "I do not know where the power lies or who is responsible but some man or men who have and wield authority are not anxious to draw the war to a close as speedily as they might as you love our cause dont mention it the poling will soon cure itself - I believe the reasons to be selfish aspirations - which acquit the President who is the most unselfish of men - Love of power and love of gain are indulged at the price of blood."
Noticeably absent from the collection are letters detailing the 3rd Wisconsin's activities at Brandy Station.
Crane's other letters focus on his love of "Gussie" and of his family. On March 2, 1863, Crane wrote: ". . . I love you - for that if it lies within the scope of human power you shall be happy - for that I consecrate to you whatever of joy or hope or fame has in store - next to my God and Country my life shall be y[our]r life my joy y[our]r - I will live for you Gussie Scott . . . my regard for you is earnest sincere truthful founded not on impulse or the fancy of either eye or ear, tho both are captivated but on principle, abiding, eternal." On May 14, 1863, he meditated on the anniversary of his father's death: "To-day, is one of my days of mourning, the anniversary of my dear fathers death. How time flies sixteen years ago and yet each event of the sorrowful week that ended when he closed his eyes in rest and slept the last long sleep that awaits us all is as vivid as the yesterday. His memory is precious and never did epitaph more truly portray the great leading characteristic of the man than the simple words: 'Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.'"
Crane's letters also reveal a well-educated man. In one letter (Nov. 15, 1862; 4 pages), he muses: "I like y[ou]r idea of still keeping up a systematic course of study even after one leaves the 'classic shades' and self taught of cultivating one's mind amid the more practical duties of life - to breakfast with Cany, Wayland, Locke & Bacon dine with Scott, Byron, Dickens & Tennyson and sup with Holmes, Hood & Tom Moore - and if there are others you wish to invite please hand in their names." On March 2, 1863, Crane complimented Gussie's "desire for mental improvement" as a "genuine magnet eternal as the pole." In a later letter (July 18, 1863; 4 pages), Crane noted that Pleasant Valley, Maryland "reminded [me] of Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress of the Delectable Hills and the land of Beulah . . ."

Finding Aids

In the repository and online at http://www.pearcecollections.us

People

Crane, James E.
Scott, Augusta R.

Search Terms

3rd Wisconsin Infantry
Battle of Brandy Station
Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Gettysburg
Family
Love letters
Drawings/Artwork

Credit line