Special Archives Research-Waste Family Letters Folder 1-Item 12

Upon my research in the special collections and archives at EKU, I ran across a folder containing a series of letters that were correspondences from the Waste family. The specific letter that I analyzed was in folder one, item 12. On the sixth of June,1862, William Waste addresses this letter to his lover and eventual wife, Sarah Waste. He begins his correspondence by apologizing for his hastiness in the last letter that he sent Sarah. He describes his deep and emotional longing to be reunited with Sarah. William is an infantryman for The Union, and he blames the war for his painful separation from Sarah. William refers to the war as an "unholy rebellion", but doesn't regret enlisting in the army to defend his country from the forces in the South. I feel William's struggle between missing Sarah and the obligation to stay and fight for The Union, was characteristic of many men who left the people they loved to fight in The Civil War. William is very descriptive in describing his emotions, which I feel puts into context all of the tragedy that was felt throughout the war by so many Americans.

    Towards the end of the letter William describes the 4th of July celebrations that occured in his infantry two days prior to writing his letter. William says, "The fourth passed off very quietly here", in describing the 4th of July celebrations. He states that a national salute was fired by the infantry, but that was about the only significant thing that occured. In the timeframe that this letter was written, the war was nearing a close, and William's descriptions of The Independence Day celebrations outlined the seriousness that the infantry felt at that time. They had no time for celebrations, they only wished the war to be done and over with so they could return home. In the closing sections of the letter, William describes an historically significant event that offers us insight into some of the skirmishes and battles that were occurring. He states that his infantry has received welcome news that morning that The Union Army of The Potomac had defeated Confederate forces in a major battle. The Union forces were led by Meade and they defeated Lee's army while capturing, "20,000 prisoners and 118 pieces of Artillery". William is referring to none other than The Battle of Gettsyburg, which was a huge victory for the North. William's description of receiving this news is historically significant because it offers insight into the morale and hope of the troops that was caused by receiving the news of The Union Victory. This battle effectively ended Lee's Northern Offensive, and sealed the fate of The Confederacy. William closes in saying that he feels that a few more Union victories will end the War, so he may return home to the Woman he loves.