Transcription of a letter from John Tibbals about Whitney Tibbals:
“Whitney Tibbals was born Feb 8th, 1838 in Rockport Cuyahoga Co Ohio.
He enlisted May 3rd, 1861 in Company E 5th Wisconsin Regiment.
Engagements
Sees Mills April 16th, 1862
Williamsburg May 5th 1862
Garnell Hill June 27th 1862
Golden’s Farm June 28th 1862
Savage Station June 29th 1862
White Oak Swamp June 30th 1862
Marverm Hill June 30th 1862
South Mountain Sept 14th 1862
Antietam “ “ “
Fredericksburg Dec 13th “
St. Mary’s Heights May 3rd 1863
In this battle the skirmishes line of the Light Division was led by Col Allen. The 5th [Reg.?] lost this charge one hundred and eighty eight killed and wounded.
Salem May 5th 1863
Gettysburg July 3rd 1863
Reut to New York in Sept remained a few weeks to aid in quelling the [unintelligible] consequent upon the draft Rappahannock Station Nov 7th 1863
This charge was led by by Col Allen and the regiment lost 61 killed and wounded.
Locust Grove Nov 27th 1863
Mine [Run?] Dec 1st “
Reenlisted a veteran
December 25th 1863
Came home in Jan 1864 on furlough of 30 days. Left camp near Brandy Station. May 4th 1864 marched all day, engaged in fighting in the battle of the Wilderness May 5th 1864 fighting every day until May 10th when the battle raged fearfully all day, in the evening charged on the pits. Was wounded in the left thigh by slug and minnie ball. Arrived in [Carver?] Hospital Washington D.C. May 14th 1864.
Died May 24th 1864
was buried in the Soldier’s Cemetery at Washington.
The last six months of his life he became deeply interested in things spiritual and eternal and by grace through faith, entranced Christ as his personal Savior and died in hope of a better life in the world to come.
In his pass book which he carried in his pocket was found written under date of May 1st 1864 the following
Rules by which I will be governed
1st Righteous Temperate 3rd Have stopped the use of Tobacco in way [unintelligible]. 4th do not profane God’s name 5th will be kind to my comrades and not get angry with them 6th will be brave on the battlefield 7th will be brave in refusing to do evil [sic].
Just before going into the conflict in which he was wounded, he was detailed to carry with the baggage but he went this Captain and begged the privilege of going into the battle instead of remaining with the baggage.
One of his comrades remarked to him Tibbals you are unwise, we are going to have a fearful battle. He replied “I understand that perfectly well and choose to take my chances with the rest of the boys”
Yours respectfully,
John Tibbals”
