Autograph letters signed, various sizes. 22 are from Horton Detrick to Jennie Andrews, and 26 from Andrews to Detrick. Plus a letter from a friend of Detrick’s to Andrews, after Detrick was wounded in Georgia. Also present is an envelope addressed to Jennie Andrews in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; an 1885 letter to Detrick about a planned reunion of the 4th Iowa Cavalry; a printed commendation addressed to unit members for their actions on June 16, 1864; and a few other items. Also, Detrick’s copy of “Roster of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, Veteran Volunteers, 1861-1865,” New York: J.J. Little, 1902.
Exceptional archive of correspondence between a Union cavalryman and the woman he was to marry in August of 1865, revealing their growing friendship and love, and also the ever present conflict, with vivid descriptions of battles and camp life from Horton, and news from the home front from Jennie, including political events and dissention among the populace. Horton Detrick, born in Pennsylvania in 1835, enlisted in the 4th Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, Co. D., in September of 1861, reenlisted in 1863, and rose to Quartermaster Sergeant by war’s end. He was wounded at the very end of the war, on April 16 or 18, 1865. The correspondence begins on April 16 of 1864, as Horton, writing from Davenport (IA?) was about to return to his unit in Vicksburg. Perhaps he had met Jennie, or renewed an acquaintance, while on leave, “You must write to me as soon as you can so that I can heare from you as soon as possible after I get way down South…” He is soon in Memphis and continues to write, as does Jennie from Mt. Pleasant – on May 15th Jennie writes, “Knowing that a letter will be acceptable at any time I write you again. I wrote to you a week ago today. I intend to write to you as often as once a week, want you to write as often as you can. I suppose you are out on a scout now…”
On June 16th Horton writes of action in the field, “…We returned to camp day before yesterday from Expedition nearly tired & worn out had been gone fourteen days had some very hard fighting too & got badly whipped a complete route & pannick can’t tell the reason unless bad management on the part of the commander Genl. Sturgis, it may be possible that we came in contact with an overwhelming force but if so cannot see it in that light would rather think badly managed… There is another expedition to start from here tomorrow to go back out there & destroy that Mobile & Ohio Rail Road it has to be destroyed at all hazards… our horses are in poor condition no shoes on some of them & many other things out of order…” A few days later there is another expedition, but “don’t know that I will go this time but remain here in camp as the men will not all go some of the horses being unserviceable… would as soon go as not though have to fight the Rebels of Forrest , for they are so mean,” referring to the notorious Nathan Bedford Forrest. On October 3rd, 1864, Jennie writes to “Hort” about the coming presidential elections, which they apparently do not agree on, “I cannot see Hort how you can blame Lincoln for the continuation of this war. What could he have done to have hastened its termination more than he has? You may blame those infernal Copperheads among which is Gen. McClellan. Fremont was once thought to be a loyal man but now because Lincoln did not consent to his emancipation of slaves for revenge to Lincoln he would sacrifice his country…” On October 9th, the debate continues, as she writes “I presume you are tired of hearing about your candidate for the presidency by this time so I’ll say no more about it. But please remember what you thought & said about Loot for not voting. Does not the conversation with those prisoners prove to you that it is the copperheads who prolong the war? A draft has been enforced in Iowa. Noah Heater is drafted, also Clark Jackman, Dick’s brother, a rank copperhead…” On February 16th, 1865, Hort writes from Gravel Springs, Alabama, the war continues but the end is in sight, “…Boats do not dare come up here from Paducak only under convoy of gun boats on the account of guerrillas along the river… There is a large cavalry force concentrated here at Eastport for some purpose supposed to be about 30 or 40 thousand the largest cavalry force I have ever saw regts. from every state nearly five from our own state… I have no idea if you will ever get this but hope you may for I should like very much to have someone know where we are, should like to know how Sherman is succeeding with his movements…” Horton was mustered out on August 10th, 1865 in Atlanta, Georgia, returned to Iowa, and, wasting no time, married Jennie on August 25th. They moved to Nebraska five years later, and had five children. Horton farmed, became involved in local politics, served as postmaster, joined the Odd Fellows and the G.A.R.