Dated “Port Hudson June 9^th 1864. Addressed to father J.F. Kreps. 4 pp. in ink on lined paper, 5 x 8.” Exhibits fold-marks. Else VG. In protective sleeve.

Note: Adam Kreps served in three regiments, first mustering as private in Co. “F”, 15^th PA Cavalry, 8/22/1862. Then transferring with Lieutenant’s commission into Co. “A”, 67^th U.S.C.T., 2/24/1864, then transferring again into Co. “E”. 92^nd Regt. U.S.C.T., 7/12/1865, mustering out of service, 12/31/1865. He served exclusively in the western theater and with the U.S.C.T. regiments mostly in Louisiana. His correspondence consists of letters primarily to his father.

In this very interesting letter Adam Kreps complains of the lack of activity and government confidence in black troops. [The same complaints made by Col. Shaw of the 54^th Mass]. He notes the demotion of General Banks following the Red River Campaign and is offended by what he considers the shabby treatment of Gen. Rosecrans. Excerpts as follow:

“I do not like this place at all…I do hope will be put into active duty…I do not think the government puts enough confidence in colored soldiers. I think they have proved themselves good soldiers when they have had the chance and are perfectly competent to take care of themselves…

I think that Gen. Rosecrans is treated quite shabbily by the authorities [Gen. Rosecrans had been replaced by Gen. Thomas as commander of the Army of the Cumberland following the 1863 Battle of Chickamauga] in putting him in such a command as Missouri. Not only that, putting [Rosecrans] under a man [Canby] such has never commanded an army yet.  Father I do not think old Rosy has his equal among generals not excepting our great Lieut. Gen. [Grant]. When the story of the war is written the Campaign from Murfreesboro to the occupation of Chattanooga will be reckoned only to the one taking place in Virginia at the present time. (mark my word for it)…”

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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]  [ph:L]

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