FROM J.F. KREPS TO SON GEORGE. Dated “Camp near Murfreesboro/ May 17^th 1863. 6 pp. in ink, on unlined paper, 8 x 9.75.” Exhibits fold-marks, front page fold-marks lightly soiled. Else VG and entirely legible. In protective sleeve. Accompanied by documentation.

This is the second of seven letters written home by J.F. Kreps during PA regimental commission visit to Rosecrans army camped on the site of the Battle of Stones River. Includes following passages of camp observations:

“This is Sabbath morning but I do not realize the quietude at home…I am surrounded with all the pomp and circumstance of the ‘grim visage of war,” but not withstanding this change in my mind feels calm and peaceful, the excitement consequent upon my advent into “Sucessia,” and into the army has subsided…

John and I (son John, Captain of Co. “B”, 77^th PA Infy) took a walk through a portion of the fortifications yesterday…I am of the opinion that 40 or so thousand men can hold them against ten times their number, the only fear is that the rebels will not attack them.

I expect to visit all the works here and spend at least one day in examination of the of the “Battlefield.” (Stones River)…I expect to commence my tour through the army tomorrow morning.

“this is magnificent country…but you can discover in every direction the black track of desolation…I doubt the former population to ever improve it again, especially if slavery is continued, but I hope when the war is over the hated Yankees will be permitted to take possession…

I can not say whether any advance movement of the army is soon contemplated…I think I am justified in borrowing a phrase common in the Army of the Potomac in saying “All is quiet on Stones River”…

“There is but one company larger than Co. B (his son John’s Company, 77^th PA). The old flag on parade is all cut to pieces by balls, one shell went right through the blue field and white stars at the Battle of Stone’s River. Two of its bearers were shot down. One killed, one wounded. The third carried it through safely. The Col. brought a new one with him...”

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Born in 1806 in Lebanon, PA, J.F. Kreps established himself in Greencastle as an enterprising farmer and businessman, moving to West Newton/ Rostraver Township. An ardent Union patriot, Kreps raised troops and money, and served as a civilian Pennsylvania regimental commissioner, spending two months in that capacity visiting PA regiments serving with Gen. Rosecrans’ army at Stones River, TN, in late spring/early summer 1863; also visiting PA Army of the Potomac units in 1864.

He also contributed five sons to the Union army—John, Francis, Adam, William and David Dempsey (with John, Francis and Adam serving as officers), in five different regiments, all of whom would survive, though son John would be severely wounded at Liberty Gap, TN, and son Frank, captured at Chickamauga, would spend 14 months in various Confederate prisons before making an heroic and hair-raising escape from Columbia, S.C., in 1864.

The bulk of the letters in this first family grouping (27 letters dating from August 7, 1861 to July 1864) are from J.F. Kreps to son Adam (15^th PA Cavalry, 67^th Regt. U.S.C.T., 92^nd Regt. U.S.C.T. Also letters to son Frank (77^th PA Infy) and son George, and six to wife Eliza, most of which were written during J.F. Kreps tour of General Rosecrans’ army. Subsequent groups contain letters home from sons Adam, William, John and David Dempsey. Taken as a whole, the Kreps letters present a valuable and fascinating picture of the coming and goings of an American family at war.   [JP]

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