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Fantastic 66 Letters from Civil War Veteran to His Son, a Soldier in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War
Fantastic 66 Letters from Civil War Veteran to His Son, a Soldier in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War
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Description:

Fantastic 66 Letters from Civil War Veteran to His Son, a Soldier in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War

This unusual archive of letters gives the home front views of a Civil War veteran in Ohio during the Spanish-American War. He writes to his son, John W. Thatcher, who is a private in the 1st Battalion Wyoming Infantry, serving in and near Manila in the Philippines. Other letters to the younger Thatcher in the collection were written by two of his brothers, a younger half-sister, his uncle and namesake (also a Civil War veteran in the 26th Ohio Volunteer Infantry), and others. They are remarkably well preserved for having been delivered to him in the Philippines during wartime and brought home with him in 1899. This collection offers a wonderful glimpse of an older veteran's passing along advice to his son in the army a generation later.

Several of the letters refer to the publication of Thatcher's letters from the Philippines in local newspapers. He returned from Manila late in the summer of 1899, arriving in San Francisco in late August and in Ohio by early October.

[SPANISH AMERICAN WAR.] Archive of Correspondence to John W. Thatcher, January 1898 – June 1900. 66 letters, 122 pp., many with original envelopes + printed invitation, printed program, manuscript pass, and manuscript note. Most 5.5" x 8.5" to 8.5" x 11". All individually sleeved in three-ring binder. Very good.
Thatcher's father Henry C. Thatcher and younger brother Samuel H. Thatcher (1877-1956) wrote most of the letters, but there are also letters from his older brother Arla M. Thatcher (1872-1960), his half-sister Mary Thatcher (1888-1973), his uncle and namesake John W. Thatcher (1841-1913), and others.

Highlights and Excerpts
The first letters resume a correspondence between John W. Thatcher in California and his father and siblings in Ohio after he had been traveling in California and Alaska for several years.
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, February 8, 1898:
"We are all well at home and very busy now have all we can do at the Old Mill for RR and Barney Smith & Co Dayton and we also have Formed the DeGraff Mfg Co to make the Hoosier Grain Separators and have the Exclusive Right of 42 Counties in the State of Ohio."
- Sam Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, February 15, 1898:
"There is not actually enough life in this burgh to keep a mouse awake. So you are coming home in June? I tell you what you had better do. Get in some good place and learn a trade, and then you can make some thing of yourself. There is nothing here for a fellow to do, except work by the day on some farm or other."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, February 19, 1898:
"I am glad you say you have no bad habits and you have still your self respect and Manhood God bless you my Dear boy for the assurance that you respect the name you bear and have done nothing to Disgrace it it is all I can give you that is worth anything Money, Lands, Stocks and Bonds are worthless compared to a good name."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, March 3, 1898:
"War with Spain is now the talk with every body here and while I do not expect that it will be much more than a newspaper fight, yet we may lock horns with the Dons and if we do God help the fellows who blew up the Maine if they fall into yankee hands. Our administration seems slow and backward to express its position yet I believe McKinley will do the right thing at the right time but John dont be carried away with enthusiasm and enlist if they call for troops. Wait awhile and you will be better able to make a decision."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, March 7, 1898:
"there seems to be a very dark outlook for us in the near future in the Spain matter. Not that we will not be able to hold our own with any nation on earth or any two of them combined but war is a fearful thing and brings much suffering in its train and costs much both in money and lives. But let the cost be what it may even death rather than dishonor. We had better be wiped off the face of the earth than permit any one to wipe up the earth with us and make a laughing stock of our defence of citizenship of the U.S. and that one Little One Horse Power could tramp on our cause with impunity. No my Boy old as I am if the need comes I could run a sutler tent or quartermaster for a Regiment yet and I am not sure but could fire a musket in defense of Old Glory again."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, March 16, 1898:
"Send me one of your papers. I dont think I ever read a Calafornia paper in my life. Do they print on Gold Leaf we allways thought Cal was the Land of Gold."
- Sam Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, March 19, 1898:
"I am of the honest opinion that this U.S. will, before another 30 days roll around, be engaged with war with Spain. This is not based on sensational news, but by the more conservative press items. If McKinley should by any cause, make money pay for the loss of the Maine crew, then he should be impeached, and that in short order. But I believe he will do the right thing at the right time, regardless of Wall Street.... I am ready to go, as I served in the militia for some time, and am now on the reserve list of Co F, 2d Regt. O.N.G."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, March 30, 1898:
"And now John again dont do anything hastily. You are a man of quick impulses, but go slow about entering the service. Not that I would say not to enlist but select your place to go and wait until you see the opening of this business if war comes it will last long enough to satisfy the ambition of all and before it is over we will all welcome peace again at almost any price except dishonor."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, April 19, 1898:
"today War has been declared between this country and Spain, of course conditional on Spain refusing to leave Cuba which she dare not do or they would have war among themselves. You no doubt have all this. Dont commit yourself to anything till you reach home, but it may help you along the Road if you tell people you are coming to your native state to enlist."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, May 9, 1898:
"My Dear Soldier Boy – your letter telling me of your enlistment in Co H 1st Wyoming volunteer infantry came to me Sunday morning on my way to Sabbath School, and that it surprised me some is true but not as much as you might think in fact I rather expected you to enlist on the Pacific Coast but John I dont think your enlistment will last very long the way things are going and yet you may have to take a trip to the Phillipine Islands before you are through as this morning news is that several thousand men will be sent to Dewey from San Francisco and you may be among them."
"One thing John you are now and that is this. you have no will of your own and you must obey. Dont try to do any other way for it will not pay Keep on the good side of your commander and seek to gain his friendship and he can make it very much easier for you."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, May 11, 1898:
"As to your receiving the Goods sent you – will send you a House wife in a few days – when we know where you are it will be needles thread pins buttons &c – you will find it handy."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, May 25, 1898:
"you will have just learned that Sampson had great fight with Cape Verde Fleet and sank 12 boats for Spaniards Our loss was 800 and the Texas and New York – their fleet was annihilated too good I fear to be true but it is generally believed."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, June 6, 1898:
"Dont be afraid that Uncle Sam is not going to have enough behind him to carry out anything he may undertake.. .. Now John I am going to tell you something you did not dream of the officer who is second in command of the Manilla troops and who is already far on his way there is an old comrade of your fathers we both served in the old 6th Ohio Inft I refer to Brig Genl Thos B Anderson and when you reach Manilla you will see him no doubt his Bro Nick Anderson was my first Col and if he is like he was then you will find him a grand man. He knows where you are and may call for you. If so I desire you to put your best foot forward – and do your level best to meet his approbation but dont fawn or seek to curry favor only be manly and true."
"how plain it comes back to me in memory of my old camp days. One of the things you must tell me do the members of your Co still call you a Hobo and treat you unkindly or have they become friendly this will be where your test comes John if you have good friends in your Co you can get along but if not soldier life will be agony."
Brigadier General Thomas M. Anderson (1836-1917) was in command of the first expedition of troops sent to the Philippines and was the nephew of Major General Robert Anderson (1805-1871), who commanded Fort Sumter at the beginning of the Civil War. He enlisted as a private in the 6th Ohio Volunteer Infantry before receiving a commission in the regular army.
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, June 13, 1898:
"we are looking at the papers every day to see when you will leave Frisco for Manilla but it looks as tho you will not get away very soon at present. In fact there seems to be very little system about the movement of our forces anywhere. Lots of red tape and as we used to call it in 61 Pollyfoxing. It will take some little time, for our armies and navies to get down to their business, but when they do they are there with both feet."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, July 4, 1898:
"I dont believe that your Uncle intends to keep the Phillipine Islands and you will find when the war is over they will be made to pay a big share of the Cost of the war and be turned over to England except a coaling station for our vessels. Dont be uneasy about the Germans they will never interfere in the mix as they know it will only push England and the US together and they dread anything of that kind."
"One of the things you want to be careful about Son is to keep your Record while in the service so if anything happens you can prove up your Claim."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, July 22, 1898:
"Now just one word of caution John – dont write anything to the Press about your officers – it will get you into serious trouble. I know that there are some things that are tough and good officers could make much better for the men if they would do so but let me put one word in right here. A poor officer dont last long. The service dont suit him and at the clip some go a hot climate soon does them. So grin and bear it and dont say a word."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, August 2, 1898:
"Now my boy let me give you an old soldiers advice – dont say what you think about your officers. Let them be what they may, it is best to keep this to yourself and then you will not get into trouble with them. they have the power to make it very pleasant or otherwise while you are in the service, and I always found it wise to say but little about my company officers."
"Well John you seem to have about the proper nerve for a soldier, only dont leave any saddle colored Thatchers at Manila or Honolula as I cant hunt grandchildren in another hemisphere so if you love me keep off."
- Sam Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, August 8, 1898:
"On the date I am writing you, Spain has accepted America's terms of peace, and their reply is expected in Washington today. So that the war is a thing of the past, as far as the affair with Spain is concerned. What the problem will be, and how it will be solved in regard to the Cubans and your close neighbor Aguinaldo, is concerned, time alone can tell. If the reports concerning Aguinaldo's 'big headedness' are correct and as the papers surmise, you may see some fighting yet."
Emilio Aguinaldo (1869-1964) led Philippine forces against Spain in the Philippine Revolution (1896-1898) and the Spanish-American War (1898) and against the United States in the Philippine-American War (1899-1901). He became the first president of the Philippines from 1899 to 1901.
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, August 14, 1898:
"I suppose that ere this you are in Manila or will be tomorrow or next day, as part of the terms was the surrender of the city of Manila the evacuation of Cuba Porto Rico and one of the Ladrone Islands—pretty good for 113 days work say I. Spain is whipped to a standstill and your uncle Sam is about the biggest pebble on the beach today."
"of all the DeGraff Boys in the Army you Oscar Snyder & Cube are the only ones who have got out of the U.S. The others have all been kept in camp at Chickamauga and elsewhere and they are red hot about it."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, October 28, 1898:
"Yes we old vets are proud of our boys and count them our equals – as fighting cocks, even if it did not last so long and we are not afraid that our country will lack for brave defenders of our Old Flag."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, November 9, 1898:
"Teddy Roosevelt was elected Gov. of N.Y. he was colonel of the Rough Riders at Santiago and his Regt was mustered out a few days ago."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, February 7, 1899:
"What the mischief are you about out there any how Did you fellows know the war was over or not – here for the last three days the papers have been full of accounts of fighting at Manila all Saturday night Sunday and with a loss of 40 killed and 150 wounded Americans and about 2000 killed & 3500 wounded of the poor devils of insurgents. Aint you ashamed of yourselves any way to hit them so hard the first lick."
- John W. Thatcher to his nephew John W. Thatcher, March 6, 1899:
"your letter was not written many days ere the monotony was broken, and the little pickininnis became obstreperous so say our cables, and our brave boys had to show them that the same Americans that cleaned out the Spanish had a few shots in the locker for them until they learned how to behave themselves and that the same kind of bravery was behind the Infantry that was behind Dewy and the navy."
"come storm or sunshine camp duty or battle, I know that my namesake will prove himself a man among men, well worthy to wear the blue, and while at times it is hard to obey orders that we know are wrong, sometimes given by a man whose sholder straps is about all there is of him, yet in the years that are to follow, he will sink into oblivion, and he true soldier will command the respect of all his comrades, as well as of a gratefull country."
"one thing I have noticed both in military and civil life it pays to be a man in the highest sence of the term, to recognize at all times and under all circumstances that there is a Divine Hand shaping our destinies, that obedience to his law will bring prosperity, disobedience disaster."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, March 14, 1899:
"While the Wyoming boys are often mentioned with praise for their daring your losses as reported are few.... I see by todays news that Genl Lawton and 1700 Regulars reached you yesterday so you are that much ahead and in Lawton you have an old indian fighter that will make his mark on the coons in a few days and ere this reaches you, you will no doubt have had several scraps with the Chocklate Drops and may have lost some good men but I feel in my very life that you will see home again."
"when I read about your fighting my old blood boiled and hanged if I did not want to be in the scrap again myself."
"there is one thing that I see by your letters recalls my own army life Remember all the letters we have from you were written before Feby of this year and you were tired oh so tired of camp and garrison duty and the monotony thereof. I recall my own army life when I would have given any thing for change but when it came it woke me up sure and garrison did not look so bad afterwards but your health and spirits will be better for the activity of real campaigning and many a man has died from homesickness and nothing else the matter with them."
Henry Ware Lawton (1843-1899) was a U.S. Army officer who fought in the Civil War, the Apache Wars, and the Spanish-American War. He was the only U.S. general officer killed during the Philippine-American War.
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, March 21, 1899:
"I charge you to take good care of your health and dont rush into danger needlessly I dont want you to shirk any duty but there is such a thing as recklessness, and many a precious life has been lost that way. Keep your eyes open and dont let the fillos get the drop on you, but when you do have to fight do it with all your might and make them think as Sherman said at Atlanta that War is Hell and make them tired of it as soon as possible."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, April 6, 1899:
"there is one thing your letter told me that done me a world of good and that was you were well and that had heeded my advice in regard to certain things and had seen the folly of the woman whose ways take hold on Hell. Not John I never could understand how some of my old comrades could look a virtuous woman in the face after what I knew them to be guilty of and had I a sister I would have dreaded to have them approach her, and yet our loyal young girls made much of the Yankee soldier, more it seems than they do over the soldier of today but there was some difference between then and now. About all our young men were in one or the other army in 61 to 65 and stayed long years. Now with the exception of you gallant boys in Manila they are about all home and not a year since the fight opened."
"Still alive my dear boy on this the 8 day of April 1899 and I remember how glad I was thirty seven years ago this morning to know that I was alive. We had fought the desperate Battle of Shilo the 6th & 7th of April 1862 and lost about as many men as you have in Manila in the two days fight or about 20000 all told killed & wounded and I did not get a scratch."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, April 22, 1899:
"Now my dear boy I am proud of your record and will welcome you home as my honored representative in the Spanish war, and you can tell your grand children that your father fought through the Civil War and you fought through the Spanish war and your sons in the – what. Well we will not name it yet but with any son of a gun that knocks the chip off our shoulder Dutch French or what not—all the same to us."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, May 30, 1899:
"This is Memorial Day and we decorate for what was done – you no doubt will not do any of this work but some day there will be a new memorial – for another army and I trust you may have borne an honorable part in the New as your father did in the Old."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, August 21, 1899:
"On Board U S Transport Grant near Honolula Hawai Isl yes my dear boy I place you there or thereabouts now and trust you may reach San Francisko USA not later than the 27th of this month and I will hear in a few hours later that you are on the shores of your native land alive and well again, and that we may soon have the blessed privilege of standing face to face again."
- Henry C. Thatcher to John W. Thatcher, September 9, 1899:
"Get your discharge papers all correct as they may be of value to you in the future and take the address of your commanding officers and surgeon and anything else that may be of use hereafter for I feel sure that if you live your year in the tropics will give you a claim against the government."

John Wesley Thatcher (1873-1951) was born in western Ohio, the fourth of six children born to Henry Clay Thatcher and Phidella McCrosky Thatcher. John was named for his uncle John W. Thatcher and sometimes was referred to as "John W. Thatcher Jr." He grew up in De Graff, where his father was a farmer and sawmill owner. After traveling for a time in California and Alaska, he took a job in the spring of 1898 with The Call newspaper in San Francisco. He enlisted as a private in Company H of the 1st Battalion Wyoming Infantry in the spring of 1898 for the Spanish-American War. The battalion arrived at Manila Bay on July 31, 1898, and disembarked on August 6 to participate in the capture of Manila a week later. The battalion was involved in several battles and skirmishes against insurgents in February and March 1899 and took part in the Morong expedition in June. The 1st Wyoming left Manila Bay on July 31, 1899, and arrived in San Francisco on August 29. Thatcher rose to the rank of corporal and cook before being discharged in September 1899. In 1901, he married Ada M. Fawcett (1877-1957). After the war, he was a locomotive engineer for the New York Central Railroad and also operated an insurance agency in Bellefontaine, Ohio, where he was the city service-safety director. He was active in Methodist and Masonic activities as well.

Henry Clay Thatcher (1843-1915) was born in Greene County, Ohio. He enlisted as a private in Company H of the 6th Ohio Infantry in June 1861. In March 1864, he reenlisted in Company G of the 66th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served until mustering out in June 1865. He married Phidella McCrosky (1847-1880) in July 1868, and they had six children. Two of their children died as infants, and Sylvanus Edwin Thatcher died at age 16 in 1886. In 1881, he married Alvira Harless (1854-1903), and they had four children. He was a farmer, sawmill owner, and store owner in Ohio throughout his adult life and was active in the Methodist Church and the Masonic order.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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