FROM J.F. KREPS TO "DEAR WIFE & CHILDREN".

Dated “Camp near Murfreesboro/ May 20^th 1863.” 6 pp. in ink on unlined paper, 8 x 9.75.” Exhibits fold-marks & slight soiling on fold-marks, else VG & entirely legible.

In his capacity as civilian commissioner of Pennsylvania regiments Kreps has arrive in Camp to inspect Rosecrans’ Army. Excerpts as follows:

“I have been here now four or five days and have seen a number of regiments and Brigades on parade. On Monday Frank [2^nd son, 77^th PA Infy] and I went to headquarters at Murphreesboro, and I got a pass to go wherever I wish within lines until the first of June. I do not know whether I will be satisfied in that time, or not, I suppose I can get another…

At noon on Monday Gen. Negley sent an orderly and rode with me to the different caps in his division and introduced me to Brigade commanders…and pointed to me in the distance some hills where he said there were three or four Brigades of rebels.

We visited the 7^th Penna. Cavalry and he introduced me to Lieut. Col. Sipes…This is the banner regiment of cavalry in this department…I have been informed that the rebels are more afraid of them than any regiment here, their style of fighting causes consternation among them.. After firing a volley they will charge with drawn sabers and slash and cut and they will not fancy any other method of fighting…

You would have thought it strange to see me dashing around amongst the soldiers with the escort and soldiers with the soldiers going as fast as they can go, for you must know that everybody rides about as fast as horse will go.

…John and I [son John, 77^th PA] went over to see Addy [son Adam, of the 15^th PA “Anderson” Cavalry] and seen a division three or four brigades with artillery on parade…I was introduced to Co. Palmer yesterday he is quite a young man but possesses military talent of a high order. The regiment however, seems to be still in unsettled condition. All the officers have been dismissed and new ones appointed. The regiment has not any commissioned officers, but the Col. informed me that the Governor [of PA] had promised him to attend to it this week. The regiment has not been paid off and I suppose will not be for some time.

The more I see of this country the more I am enamored of its natural beauty…but the desolations of war that have been realized in the destructions of its improvements…these people are certainly “getting their rights” with vengeance.

I can not think that these infatuated creatures could ever have imagined that such desolation would overtake them. The owners of these grand residences and fine estates are now officers in the Rebel Army and you may be sure they will fight with desperation to recover their estates…

There are not many negroes in the camps here in the fortifications but in some camps there are a great many….and let me tell you, a great many of them were pretty sharp…”

“I have not seen many Rebels yet. There was two brought into Gen. Negley’s headquarter…deserter from the 8^th Arkansas…they were pretty well clothed but glad to get away. They say Bragg’s Army is in better condition than it ever was before, everything plenty but fresh beef.”

In reference to Davis’ and Sheridan’s divisions being moved forward, I have not hear anything about it. It is very common I find to hear exciting rumors in camp…I have seen Gen. Milleck’s old regiment on parade…it is a very fine one all German. The command is given in German when the trumpet is not used.

A general order was received to day to muster out of service all the Captains and all the 2^nd Lieutenants of every company [of the 77^th PA Infy] that does not number 83 men…It has caused quite a felling among the officers…If the order is put in effect I think it will be doing a great injustice…

While I write the drums are beating, regiments moving and the soldier all shouting, all apparently glad of the prospects of meeting the enemy…I do not feel alarmed…but if there is a battle you will hear of it long before you get this letter…”

Excellent camp observations by a Pennsylvania regimental commissioner.

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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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