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Wiliam Cloer Civil War
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The Battle of Chaplin Hills
The Battle of Perryville was also known as the battle of Chaplin Hills. It was located in Perryville, Boyle County, Kentucky. The battle was conducted by General Braxton Bragg as a way to divert the Union's attention from Southern strongholds at Vicksberg Chatanooga and encourage Bluegrass State volunteers to join the rebels. Heavy fighting and loss forced Gen. Bragg to retreat, creating a victory for Gen. Buell and the Union army.
<a href='http://http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-perryvil -
Frustration grows about not being paid
William and many of the other sodiers were becoming increasingly frustrated with not being paid in a timely manner. By December 27, 1862 they were planning on protesting by not doing any work until they got the $142 owed to them.
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Bombshell Accident
An accident happened in which a soldier was killed while on picket guard. The artillary men were practicing and a bomb shell landing withing 150 yards of the man. The bomb shell busted and a piece of it him on the head. It killed him instantly, taking half of his head off.
click to read about another man's experience with a cannon accident -
Outbreak of measles in camp
William talks about how there are several cases of measles in camp. At the time, there were several men infected as well as Lieutenant Enlow.
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Feas and Lice in Camp
[learn more about fleas and lice](http://<a href='http://<a href='http://http://www.differencebetween.info/difference-between-fleas-and-lice)' >learn more about fleas and lice</a>' >learn more about fleas and lice </a>William writes briefly about the problem with fleas and lice in camp on April 18, 1863. He says that if nothing else kills them, the fleas and lice will. The lice is already very bad and the fleas will get worse when the weather is warmer. He even sent some personal items home to protect them from this problem and to keep them from rotting or being stolen. Fleas and lice were a large problem during the civil war and contributed to the spread of diseases. -
Kept in Gaurd house
click to learn what a guard house isWilliam was kept in the guard house from June 28- July 23, 1863. He says not to fret about it. He was sorry that they took him out because he was in better health when he was there than when he was. -
The Battle of Gettysburg
Though William did not fight in the battle of Gettysburg, he did however mention it. There were reports of Union soldiers in the Gettysburg area and that there was a battle.
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The Fall of Vicksburg
On January 4, 1863 Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant leads the Union army in taking Vicksburg. Nearly 30,000 Confederate soldiers were captured and 3,300 killed. The Union lost 4,800 men in this battle. During the time that William writes the letter informing his wife of this loss, he is extremely depressed. He talks about how he is so lonely and low in spirits that he would rather die than live.
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The Siege of Port Hudson Ends
On July 9, 1863 the Union Sieged Port Hudson, Mississippi. The fight for this lasted 48 days and ended when the Confederates of Port Hudson heard about the fall of Vicksburg and surrendered.
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2 men die of illness in camp
At that time there was illlness spreading through camp. People were dying every day. William metions this particullar instance. Illness was very common in camps during the Civil War. The most common disease in camps was dysentery. It is likely that this is what most of the men were dying of, but William mentions later on of there being cases of measles and in camp so that is another possibility.
<a href='http://http://www.teachers.yale.edu/curriculum/viewer/initiative_10.06.02_u' >click to lear -
8 men runaway from 62nd NC infantry
In many of William's letters he talks about men runnung away. In this particular instance, 8 men ran away at once. Men ran away frequently during the Civil War. Not as much in battle, but from camp.
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Battle of Fort Sanders
The Battle of Fort Sanders was part of the Knoxville Campaign. William, about a month earlier mention how he suspected there would be an attack in Knoxville soon. The Union won this battle.
Click to read more about this battle and the Knoxville Campaign
