Local Specials
(2009-04-23)
The letters of Union soldier Charles Taylor. Installation at Western Illinois Museum. Letters courtesy of Ann Taylor.
The letters were loaned to the museum by local resident Ann Taylor. Selections from the 41-letter collection were chosen for the presentation. The performance was done in conjunction with the museum's current exhibit Abraham Lincoln: The Making of a President. It remains on display through May 2.
Charles Taylor lived with his wife Julia and son Frankie in Whitcomb, IN. He often refers to his wife as Sis and himself as "Old Posey."
The first letter read during the performance is dated August 14, 1862. It was sent from Greensburg, IN, a distance of 25 miles from Taylor's home. "Got here safe and sound. Got nothing to eat until we got our own suppers. Got our blankets and tents. Never slept sounder," wrote Taylor.
Taylor was still in Indiana in November of that year when he instructed his wife to make sure debts were paid off, even if meant selling the cow. "And if that won't pay them, tell them to kiss my royal American foot!"
Taylor wrote from Louisville, KY on January 1, 1863. "You said you sometimes almost get discouraged. You must not think that way. Live in hope. That is the way that I do. If it was not for hope, the heart would faint. I look for the day to come when peace will be declared. That will be a happy day for me and thousands of others."
In the letters Charles expresses his disdain for Rebel sympathizers. This was an opinion commonly held by Union soldiers. The letters described Rebel sympathizers wearing butternuts pinned to the vests. The Confederate soldiers were referred to as "butternuts" because the color of their uniforms was similar to that nut. Wearing butternuts was a way for Rebel sympathizers to show support for the Confederate troops.
Taylor was eventually captured by southern troops and held in the notorious Andersonville prison camp in Georgia. Officially known as Camp Sumter, more than 45,000 Union soldiers were imprisoned there during its 14-month existence. Almost 13,000 of them died from disease, poor sanitation, and malnutrition.
Taylor was later transferred to a hospital in Vicksburg, MS. He was more than 590 miles from his home. While in Vicksburg, Taylor wrote a letter dated April 5, 1865. "I am getting along fine. I run over to town almost every day for exercise. I am getting over the scurvy so that I can walk tolerable well," Taylor told his wife and son.
Taylor concluded, "Trusting in God that these few lines may find you all well, I remain as ever, your husband and father, ever true until death, C.A. Taylor."
The Performers
The letters were read by Dick Vick and Patrick Stout. They are two veterans of Macomb Community Theater.
Vick has been involved with MCT since 1967. Vick is chair of the development committee this year for MCT's 50th anniversary season. Vick has played more than 50 roles onstage and has directed six shows. He is retired from the WIU English department.
Stout is a broadcast writing instructor and departmental academic advisor at WIU. Stout covers the Macomb City Council for the Macomb Journal. Stout is a long-time broadcaster and hosts "The Vault" for University Television.
The Western Illinois Museum
The performance took place during the Western Illinois Museum Annual Meeting. The Museum Board for the next year was announced during the meeting:
Peggy Ma - President
Janet Sowers - Vice President
Lois Lueck - Secretary
Ray Brinker - Treasurer
Gil Belles - At Large Executive Committee
The museum's next exhibit will be Artisans and Their Craft. It will provide a look at regional handcraft practices such as quilting, woodworking and more. It will be open May 26 through August 8. The museum is located at the corner of Washington and LaFayette near Macomb's courthouse square. © Copyright 2012, wium
