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Subject: Turner Family Papers
Background: The Turner’s were an African-American family who resided in Richmond, Kentucky
prior to the beginnings of the Civil War. The attached notes indicate that the family had children who were born
into slavery Slave marriages had no official records attached to them, so it virtually impossible to track when specific
parties were married. The notes also indicate that John Turner had several letters drafted to his wife Patsy while he was training as a member of the 12th United States Colored Heavy Artillery at Camp Nelson, Kentucky.
The first letter is from John Turner. It is likely that he did not right it himself, but dictated it possibly to a member of the U.S. Christian Commission an offshoot of the YMCA, as it is drafted on paper with their name, emblem, and the statement “sends this sheet as a messenger between the soldier and his home. Let it hasten to those who wait for tidings.” Further research shows that this organization was formed in response to the events following the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861. The group served at many hospitals, camps, prisons and battlefields as unarmed chaplain’s assistants. It is in this capacity that one of them likely came into contact with John Turner.
Albany is across the Ohio River from Louisville. The war by now had been over for just over 8 months. The letter is to Dallis’ mother (who has not been identified) and tells the comings and goings of Dallis. He notes that Sargent Green is in Louisville and to let Mrs. Green know that. There are several references to a Jerry Turner, who does not appear to be related to the America Turner clan (the subject of these letters). However, I found reference to a Jerimiah Turner who had been owned by a pro-slavery lawyer named Squire Turner in Richmond, KY, and whose decedents state that their “great grandfather had fought for and earned his freedom.” It is possible that this may be the same person.
Finally the letter suggests that the unit may be departing Louisville for garrison duty in Washington City.
John Turner to Patsy Turner, 23 November 1864, Turner Family Papers (Collection Number 1999-015 Box 1 Folder 1), Eastern Kentucky University Special Collections Archive, Richmond, KY.
Dalis Turner to mother, December 1865, Turner Family Papers (Collection Number 1999-015 Box 1 Folder 3), Eastern Kentucky University Special Collections Archive, Richmond, KY.
Ligon, Ardis. "Ardis Ligon Searches for Her Ancestor Jeremiah Turner."
BitterSweet. Last modified January 5, 2015. http://linkedthroughslavery.com/ardis/.
Assignment
#2
Special
Collections Blog AssignmentSubject: Turner Family Papers
Background: The Turner’s were an African-American family who resided in Richmond, Kentucky
prior to the beginnings of the Civil War. The attached notes indicate that the family had children who were born
into slavery Slave marriages had no official records attached to them, so it virtually impossible to track when specific
parties were married. The notes also indicate that John Turner had several letters drafted to his wife Patsy while he was training as a member of the 12th United States Colored Heavy Artillery at Camp Nelson, Kentucky.
The first letter is from John Turner. It is likely that he did not right it himself, but dictated it possibly to a member of the U.S. Christian Commission an offshoot of the YMCA, as it is drafted on paper with their name, emblem, and the statement “sends this sheet as a messenger between the soldier and his home. Let it hasten to those who wait for tidings.” Further research shows that this organization was formed in response to the events following the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861. The group served at many hospitals, camps, prisons and battlefields as unarmed chaplain’s assistants. It is in this capacity that one of them likely came into contact with John Turner.
His letter dated 23 November 1864 seems to indicate that he
has completed training at Camp Nelson.
He would have been known as a “Buffalo Soldier”, the name given to the all
African-American regiments who fought in the Civil War and beyond. In the letter, he indicated that his wife
Patsy should not make the trip to Nelson (presumably from Richmond) as there
would be nowhere for her to stay. The
letter goes on to say that “all of the women and children were turned out of
the camp yesterday.” This would suggest
that at some point the family members of former slaves who were now training to
fight for the Union Army had been permitted to stay with them during this time
at Nelson. John Turner states that he “expects
to go to Louisville to-morrow morning.”
It does not indicate where he will go from there, likely because he did
not know.
His final line is also interesting. Written in the margin along the left side, he
tells Patsy to “give my complements to all the white folks. The wagon train I was on has gone to Crab
Orchard (a small town located in Rockcastle County, KY). He does not specify who the white folks are
or what relationship he or Patsy would have with them.
From a historical context, the letter is like many that are
written during the closing days of training.
There is an eagerness to move on to the next phase, a level of concern for the family left behind (hence his admonishment to not come there) and assurances that he (John Turner) is well. It looks not too dissimilar to letters from other soldiers in other wars who are usually pressed for time trying to get ready to move out, but want to ensure that their families know that everything is okay.
The second letter is from Dallis Turner who was on duty at
New Albany, IN in December 1865. NewThere is an eagerness to move on to the next phase, a level of concern for the family left behind (hence his admonishment to not come there) and assurances that he (John Turner) is well. It looks not too dissimilar to letters from other soldiers in other wars who are usually pressed for time trying to get ready to move out, but want to ensure that their families know that everything is okay.
Albany is across the Ohio River from Louisville. The war by now had been over for just over 8 months. The letter is to Dallis’ mother (who has not been identified) and tells the comings and goings of Dallis. He notes that Sargent Green is in Louisville and to let Mrs. Green know that. There are several references to a Jerry Turner, who does not appear to be related to the America Turner clan (the subject of these letters). However, I found reference to a Jerimiah Turner who had been owned by a pro-slavery lawyer named Squire Turner in Richmond, KY, and whose decedents state that their “great grandfather had fought for and earned his freedom.” It is possible that this may be the same person.
Finally the letter suggests that the unit may be departing Louisville for garrison duty in Washington City.
The historical context of the letter shows a soldier who is
stationed away from home and family at the end of a major conflict. Unlike the previous letter, there is time to
ask about various family members and to pass on news regarding the well-being of
other local unit members and of possible movement away from the area, but with
no certainty if such a move will occur.
It is a letter written by someone who is performing day-to-day duties
without a lot of challenge (as garrison duty often is) and with a significant
amount of freedom of movement, which could have been somewhat dangerous in the
border state of Kentucky, despite the Union victory, and a real novelty to a
person who in the years prior to the war may have not had the opportunity to
see much beyond what their owner decreed. It does not suggest if Dalis himself
wrote it or dictated it.
References: (as shown in the Turabian Manual section 17.6.4) John Turner to Patsy Turner, 23 November 1864, Turner Family Papers (Collection Number 1999-015 Box 1 Folder 1), Eastern Kentucky University Special Collections Archive, Richmond, KY.
Dalis Turner to mother, December 1865, Turner Family Papers (Collection Number 1999-015 Box 1 Folder 3), Eastern Kentucky University Special Collections Archive, Richmond, KY.
Ligon, Ardis. "Ardis Ligon Searches for Her Ancestor Jeremiah Turner."
BitterSweet. Last modified January 5, 2015. http://linkedthroughslavery.com/ardis/.
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