Research Note: A Newly Uncovered Letter by Albion W. Tourgée on His Capture during the Civil War

Research Note A Newly Uncovered Letter by Albion W. Tourgée on His Capture during the Civil War Stephen E. Towne (bio) You need not expect me to take a parole. letter written Tourgée, published in Ashtabula (OH) Weekly Telegraph newspaper February 1863 but previously unnoticed Tourgée's biographers and other historians, sheds new light an important episode life of soldier, jurist, bestselling novelist, columnist, champion social justice. The recounts capture Confederate forces January 21, 1863, near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, while serving 105th Ohio Volunteer Infantry regiment American War. Written shortly after event, offers fresh immediate account detachment over 100 troops sent beyond safety US Army lines Tennessee secure forage for army animals. caused controversy regiment, Cumberland which it was part, home front. For experience imprisonment rebel South helped form his thinking about freedom slavery, turn informed actions as leading (white) advocate African equality justice decades that followed.1 born County, Ohio, May 2, 1838, son farmers. Raised educated shores Lake Erie, 1859 he matriculated University Rochester New York, dropped out school following year lack tuition funds. After teaching Niagara [End Page 97] Falls, April 1861, returned reenter university. However, attack at Fort Sumter harbor Charleston, Carolina, President Abraham Lincoln's call volunteer put down rebellion interrupted education. students quickly enlisted local unit, 27th York intent preserving Union. In July, embarked Virginia promptly thrown into battle against Manassas, Washington, DC. (first) Battle Bull Run proved disaster federal Potomac, retreated panicked flight. During retreat, artillery caisson racing narrow lane shared with Yorkers ran injuring back, paralyzing legs, disabling him service. Discharged youth read law worked rehabilitate legs. recuperation, gave speeches (often seated) support war effort recruited 40 volunteers Ohio. By summer 1862, able walk and, though one legs still dragged, managed pass physical examination. On strength recruiting success, received commission second lieutenant Company G regiment. late August crossed River marched Kentucky part repel invasion state. Ohioans had entered slave They saw around them cruelty, degradation, inhumanity chattel slavery entailed. According historian Dean Keller, soldiers found repellent.2 response, they sheltered fugitive slaves from arrest interfered their reenslavement military authorities. While campaigning many soldiers' perspectives evolved. representative development. Biographer Otto H. Olsen noted 1861–1862, invalid recuperated spinal injury, "anti-slavery sentiments pervaded poetry oratory," going thoughts mere reunification nation motivated initial enlistment. 98] opposition enough. penned two days before capture, now first lieutenant, wrote college friend "I want fight...