A Michigan family's loss of a son and brother.
The following are the letters describing the events surrounding the death of Franklin M. Buell, a soldier with Battery D., 1st Michigan Light Artillery. He enlisted at Union City on 25 August 1862 as a Private and died near Winchester, Tennesee on 24 July 1863.
Despite his wishes, it is not known if Frank was ever brought home to Michigan for burial. There is a monument to Frank in the Buell family lot in Riverside Cemetery, Union City, Michigan. However, the Roll of Honor, which details interments made in National Cemeteries and published by the US Government after the war show entries for Frank in both Stone's River National Cemetery and Nashville National Cemetery.
Dr. Samuel Mills to the parents of Franklin M. Buell.
Buell Family papers
Head Quarters 4th Mich. Battery
Camp Thomas, Winchester Tenn
July 24th, 1863
Mr. and Mrs. Buell,
It is my unpleasant duty to inform you that your son Frank M., died at the hospital in this camp, at 3 o’clock A. M. this day; he was in a very fair way of recover until last night at 11 o’clock when he commenced sinking with great rapidity, and finaly died in spite of all endeavors, at the time mentioned. His fever was broken near noon, and he was sweating profusely; in fact it was my opinion, and also of Dr. Benedict of the 17th O.V.I. that he would recover immediately & but for the unaccountable sinking, which could not have been anticipated or prevented he would now be with us. His brother Sidney was with him and attended him faithfully and affectionately, doing all that he could do; several of Frank’s cousins were with him we he died; the poor boy died very easily; he is one more of the victims of this wicked rebellion, but like a true soldier and patriot his body lies with his face to the foe.
Sympathizing with you in your bereavement most heartily I am
Your most obed’t serv’t
Sam’l J. Mills
Surgeon in charge 4th Mich. Batt’y
Sidney Buell to his parents, 9 August 1863.
Buell Family papers
Camp Thomas Winchester Tenn.
August 9th / 63
Dear Father & Mother
I received your letter last night & was glad to here from you. you wanted me to give you the particulars of Franklins Death & before he Died what he had to say. he did not say a great deal only before he was out of his head. before that he took his pocket knife out of from in under his pillow & gave it to me & told me his money purse was in his pants pocket & told me to take it out & take good care of it & remember him by them. I told I would do it. he then told me he never expected to get well for he was getting weaker all the time. then I asked him what he wanted done with what little he had to home & coming to him here, he told me he wanted me
Buell Family papers
it all divided among us all, & his things here he told the Dr. he wanted me to have what things he had turned over to me & what things that was worth keeping to keep myself. he told me he had a little coming to him among the boys that he had not all down. he had some 12 or 13 Dollars coming to him, & to colect & pay all he was owing. he then took his ring & give it to mother to remember him by & then he said he had some things that another had taken care for him to tell mother to keep & remember him by. I asked him what that was & he told did not say any thing more. then he went to sleep & slept a short time & then waiked up. Then he praid to the Lord that he mind be saved, & he praid every day to the Lord. he told me he wanted his body after he was to be buried at home in the Buring ground beside of Burty Grove {or grave}. I thought the things that he wanted mother to keep was those glass sauce dishes
Buell Family papers
he said if he was to live his life over again he would lead a difference life & searve the Lord & wished we would put out trust in God. when I found he was dying I went & waiked up Ira William, William H. Buell & the 2 Lincoln boys & they came & was at his bed side & when he died he had nothing to say. he died at 3½ o’clock on the 24th July /63 & then had his body all washed off & his uniform was put on his body & laid out, & then the Captain after Breakfast sent a team & C. D. Leach after some lumber. they got some & I had Leach make a good tight coffin & then had him take the directions of the coffin & give it to me when he got it made. I went up to the buring ground with Dr. Mills & found a nice spot in a graveyard to bury him & his grave was dug & at night at 6 0’clocl in the evening the funeral was. I sent & got a preacher from one of the regiments & he came & then the Ambulance drove up & the Corps
Buell Family papers
placed in & the cousins marched behind the Ambulance with us & then the whole Company marched in the rear of all. we marched to the Grave & when the Corpse was let down, the Preacher preached a short sermon & then finished with a prair & then we returned to our Qrs & I had a little talk with the Preacher about Frank & he inquired about you all & I told him & then he went to his regiment. I did not learn his name. Franklin was though a great deal of in this company. I would wash him all over every day & was with him most of the time & all the time through the day & half the night for 4 nights till he died. he said everything was done for him that could be here. I saved three small locks of hair from his head & will send one to mother & one to Geo & the ring. Dr. Mills sends his best respects to you all. I showed home the letter he gave you rote me & he told me he was going to go over to Head Qrs with me in a few days & would to & do the best he could for me. I am excused from all duties & it keeps me in my then the most of the time. I fell well all but that must close. write soon. Love to all, Sidney D. Buell. Direct as before.
Sidney Buell to his parents, 16 August 1863.
Buell Family papers
Camp on march 2 miles of Cumberland
Mountains Tenn 8 miles in the advance
of Dechard Tenn Aug 16th 1863
Dear Parents,
As we have camped early I will write a few lines to let you know that I am well. our whole army is in motion for some point to the front. I dond know what to write. Mr Richard Codington was here Saturday when was at Dechard. He came to see his son in the 11 Michigan. he arrived on friday last. we had quite a visit with him. I expect to see him before he foes home. I have not sent those books yet that I wrote to you about. I will send them by Mr. Codington when he goes home if I have a chance to see him again. I showd him where Franklin was buried. I have made a nice head board for Franks grave, rounding on top & smaller to the bottom than […?] then I cut his name in nicely inch letters on a Oak board plained smooth & oiled & in the letters blacked.
Buell Family papers
The head board is in this shape [small drawing of board] & marked Frank M. Buell on a bow then Died July 24th 1863. then thought that would answer then cut on 4th Mich Battery. it is quite a nice one. then after I sat it up & sodded the grave over so it will look like an old grave. I have sent George the Directions in his letters. Franks Coffins was made of oak boards. the size were bent but left rough & made tight & large. he had a good Coffin made better than hald the soldiers, his grave was dug a little over 4 feet deep. I should had it deaper but thought George was comin down here this summer or winter & the ground was very stoney & red lomy soil. his head is at the west. when your write me let me know hen his funeral was. did you get the letter with the lock of hair & his ring? I Sent a lock to George & kept one. Mother I want you to keep me a large Photograph if you have any taken. I have a small one. I want you & Father to have yours taken & send me one of each when ever I get where I can I will have mine taken & send your one. I have one of Edwards & am a going
Buell Family papers
to have one of George & his Wife & want Charleys. why don’t you write Charley. if you don’t write but a few lines in Fathers & Mothers. when I get in camp again I will write to you. we get mail everywhere ever we are so you must write & direct in this way & it will come where ever we go Sidney D. Buell Camp. J. W. Church 4th Michigan Battery 1st Brigade 3rd Division, 4th army corpse army of the Cumberland. I must close. write oftener & I will write soon. give my love to all. yours in haste
Sidney D. Buell
PS: John Corbin is little better. he has quite hard headaches while on the march. Send me a few half dollar worth of letter stamps. I am going to take the Detroit advertiser & Tribune to have state news. I got those 2 NY York papers you sent to Frank. the boys are quite well. Willie Moseley is weill. I am feeling better now than I have in a long time. I will write more next time. Ira & William Buell is well.
From Sid.