Some information concerning the Worthington Family.
From U.S. Census. 1860. Kansas. Leavenworth Co., Alexandria Tp. [page 450]
No. 2823. Henry W. Worthington Aged: 40 Farmer Born: Maryland
Elizabeth " " " " Pennsylvania
Samuel " " 17 " "
Sarah " " 15 " "
J. Willis " " 12 " "
Henry W. " " __ " "
Elizabeth H. " " 4 " "
Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Kansas, 1861-'65.
[Reprint Ed.] Vol.I. Topeka 1896.
P. 385. Eleventh Regiment Kansas Volunteers. Cavalry. Company A.
... Privates ... Worthington, Samuel
Residence: Leavenworth
Date of enlistment: Aug.26, '62
Date of muster: Aug.27, 1862
Remarks; Mus. Out June 21, '65, G[eneral] O[rders], W[ar] D[epartment].
Aug. 26, 1862 [11th Regiment Kansas Volunteer - Cavalry Co A]
VOLUNTEER ENLISTMENT
State of Kansas Town of Leavenworth
I, Samuel Worthington, born in Philadelphia Co, in the State of Pennsylvania, aged 19 years, and by occupation a Farmer, Do hereby acknowledge to have volunteered this 26 day of August, 1862, to serve as a Soldier in the Army of the United States of America, for the period of THREE YEARS, unless sooner discharged by proper authority: Do also agree to accept such bounty, pay, rations, and clothing, as are, or may be, established by law for volunteers. And I, Samuel Worthington, do swear, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whomsoever; and that I will observe and obey the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War.
Sworn and subscribed to, at Camp Lyons near Fort Leavenworth, this 26 day of Aug, 1862 Before P. Thomas, Recruiting Officer
I Certify, on Honor, That I have carefully examined the above named Volunteer, agreeably to the general Regulations of the Army, and that in my opinion he is free from all bodily defects and mental infirmity, which would, in any way, disqualify him from performing the duties of a soldier.
G. __ Hogeboom, Asst Secy 8thKans Vol
Examining Surgeon
I Certify, on Honor, That I have minutely inspected the Volunteer, Samuel Worthington previously to his enlistment, and that he was entirely sober when enlisted; that, to the best of my judgment and belief, he is of lawful age; and that, in accepting him as duly qualified to perform the duties of an able bodied soldier, I have strictly observed the regulations which govern the recruiting service. The soldier has hazel eyes, light hair, light complexion, is 5 feet, 5 ½ inches high.
11 Regiment of Kansas Volunteers,
P. Thomas, Recruiting Officer
Aug. 26, 1862 [11th Regiment Kansas Volunteer - Cavalry Co A]
DECLARATION OF RECRUIT
I, Samuel Worthington, desiring to Volunteer as a Soldier in the Army of the United States, for the term of Three Years, Do declare, That I am 19 years and __________ months of age; that I have never been discharged from the United States service on account of disability or by sentence of court-martial, or by order before the expiration of a term of enlistment; and I know of no impediment to my serving honestly and faithfully as a soldier for three years.
Given at Camp Lyon, near Fort Leavenworth, The day 26 day of 1862; Witness: P. Thomas, Recruiting Officer.
No 63
Samuel Worthington
Volunteered at Leavenworth Kansas August 26th 1862. By 2nd Lieut. Pelag Thomas 11th Regiment of Kas Vol Inft
Oct. 10, 1862
Camp Lyon Oct 10th
Dear Mother & the rest of the folks.
I have got the Camp wrong it should be Camp Scott. We are half a mile from Fort Scott arrived here about 12 o'clock today after a five day march for the last three days it has rained almost incessantly all our clothes are wet & we tired out with the march. I am well or nearly so with the exception of my back. I have suffered considerably but have been riding in a wagon 3 days. We hear that our army has been considerably cut up at Corrinth Carthage but not much confidence is placed in the report. I have not time to write much at present, but in a few days will write you a description of the trip.
When you write direct letters as before to Fort Leavenworth care of H E Palmer. I do not know how long we may stay here it may be for a day or two or more likely still for some time to come. Not having time for __________ at present. I close remaining your ever loving
Son and Brother
Saml Worthington
[This was with the Oct. 10, 1862 letters]
Dear Harry
I have found lots of nuts on the march, hickory nuts and walnuts are thicker than I have every seen in Kansas. Pawpaws are very plentiful. Tell Peice's folks that Elick is well
In haste
Saml Worthington
Oct. 20, 1862
Oct. 20th, 1862
Pea Ridge Battleground
Dear Sister,
I am sitting here peacefully writing to a far off dear one not ten rods from the spot where the redoubtable Ben McCollough fell. We are camped where the hardest part of the battle was fought. Large trees a foot & a half and three feet through, are found with holes cut clear through them and in some instances cut entirely off the bullets fell in places like hail for even the smallest bushes and shrubs are cut all to pieces. I saw lots of Bomb shells the ground that had not.
Elick has been unwell for some time past.
Saml Worthington
Private C. A. 11th Reg K. C.
Care of Lieut. Owens, commanding
By way of Fort Scott
Oct. 20, 1862
Battlefield of Pea Ridge
Oct 20th
Dear Enos
As you see in the heading we are camped on the battleground one in which many a gallant son of the Union fell fighting for the Liberty of all mankind. This spot where Ben McCollough fell is not ten rods distant from the spot where I write no stone or any thing marks the spot. Cannon balls exploded shells cover the ground in places the smallest trees are all loaded with shot some of them are cut all to pieces.
We, that is Elick & I get along very well with the rest of the company. You cant guess who I saw yesterday. Tom Clayton big as life he has not changed a bit since he left home had not heard that his brother was at Springdale. He is making 25 dollars a month and dresses well all the time. He has been with the army freighting all the fall. I must bring this to a hasty close. We are ordered to leave at six o'clock this evening for the field of battle so no more at present. I hope we will meet them in a good place. Love to all of the folks in general & some in particular.
From your Sincere friend
Saml Worthington
Private Co A 11th Reg K V
Care Lieut Owen, commanding
By way of Fort Scott
Kansas
[At the bottom of the Oct. 20, 1862 letter]
____ Enos ___ Sam is writing. I thought I wold wright you a few lines as we are ordered to the Battle field at six a clock this evening and may never se you eny more.
Yours
H K Peirce
[not sure where this is from, but attached to the Oct. 20, 1862 letters]
on in the neighborhood Tell me who goes to see who and who don't. Have Swains moved yet. Give my respects the them all and tell them. I should like to have a chance to fill my canteen at their old well. I have not tasted as good water as come from that old bucket for many a day and I would give most anything for a little piece of corn bread & butter. I have not tasted any for nearly two months.
I want you to let our folks see this. I have not time to write to them this time but will whenever I can get a chance. I am entirely out of money. Mine having been stolen from under my head at night.
Nov 7, 1862
Benton Co Ark Nov 7, 1862
Excuse the dirty paper it gets it in my knapsack
Dear Father & Mother
I have commenced several letters to you but from various causes have not been able to finish one you have doubtless heard of my where abouts through some of the neighbors to whom I have written
I have not had very good health for some days past in breast & arms to be affected I have little rest at night from a hacking cough but otherwise I am in good health
Our fare is the some of the best and we have cause to suspect that the rebels are trying to poison us. One young man in our company died yesterday very suddenly another in the next company to us is not expected to live. My ink has run out. Please excuse pencil marks.
I received a letter from Sister Sarah written partly in Richmond and partly in Columbus Ohio. She was well but had not heard that I had started for the __________ in Arkansas. But by this time she must have received three at least. I wrote her one at Fort Scott one at Pea Ridge & one at Fort Wayne
We are encamped on an old rebel stomping ground there are a great many rebel graves here, the bodies were bent up together and thrown in without any coffin. In contrast with this kind of work. See how the poor fellow from our company was buried his best clothes were placed.
Second day morn 11 o'clock 6th of the month Day before yesterday I received a letter from Willis and two from Mother also one from Sister Sarah & one from the neighborhood in Springdale. Sent three dollars to Lizzie Dickinson from Fort Scott and the amount still due I sent today. So you can make your minds easy on that score.
Tom Clayton is going up to Springdale in a few days so you can hear from him how we are getting along. If you wish to see where we are take the map of Arkansas and look for Benton County. We are situated in the Southern interior of the County. The nearest towns are Bentonville, Marysville, Fayettville. We are camped within a triangle of battlefields that of Fort Wayne or Maysville of Crop Hollow and of Pea Ridge.
Tell David Vistal or any of Wilson's folks that I see Hiram Vistal nearly every day. The battery he belongs to is camped not fifty yards off in full view. Rabbs battery and the eleventh go together all the time our position on the field of battle is in support of Rabbs Hiram was not very well yesterday I have not seen him today. He seems in the best kind of spirits. I don't supposed there is any thing much the matter with him. It is uncertain how long, after a letter is put in the post office till it is sent for the mail only goes & comes when a train starts out or comes in and if you should be long without hearing from me you can lay it to the delay in the mail. Write often & do not wait for answers if you write once or twice a week. I will be sure to get a letter every time the mail comes in. There is absolutely nothing of interest to write at present. I see Josh Ball often he is the same Josh he always was since I was acquainted with him. Has just about as much to say as command and pretty much to the same import. If Asa Lyon is still at home tell him to stay there for he cant possibly stand the exposure of a company
I would like to describe this country to you but it is so bushy and hilly & rocky & springy and creeky and so unlike what I had supposed to be in Dixie that I cant for the life of me do any better than I have done. For a wonder the people in this part of the country are all or nearly all good honest hearted Union people.
This country is settled mostly be east Tennessians and Hoosiers so that accounts for the phenomenon
There is some talk in camp of going back to Kansas to winter but for my part I expect we will go down into Texas or Mississippi
Please give my best regards to Fred Ham & Jefferson Wilson & Alvin & Owen tell them that I should be very much pleased to see their handwriting down in this country give my respects to Enos & Tillie tell them I wish them all the good luck imaginable and don't forget any of the rest of the young folks folks and if any of them write to me I shall be happy to return the favor. Tell Jim & Mary I have not forgotten them. Hope to be able to see all of you this winter.
No more room I could write till night.
Affectionately your son Sam. Tell Harry to write to me Can't Lizzie write to I was very much gratified at Willis letter more news than in any other I have received Lets have more of the same kind.
Dec. 16, 1862
In your next please notice the date at which this arrives
I am daily expecting to hear from home
Fayetteville Ark, Dec 16
My Very Dear Sister
No doubt has been anxious to hear from me since the battle of Prairie Grove. By these lines you see I am alive & kicking and it is with pleasure that I am able to say & was not injured in the fight in fact I was not in it The double quick of several miles was too much for the state of my breast & I had to fall out & rest on the road by the time I reached the field of battle the enemy were on all sides of our devoted Kansas division so that it was impracticable for me & my companions to be in the engagement. However I soon found use for my services in another directions the wounded braves must be attended to. I at once volunteered my serves in the hospital as a nurse in which position I still remain nine days after the fight. I must confess to a small inkling of pride at my success in this department as I overheard the medical director say that I was one of the nurses he has ever seen. This may be accounted for by the fact of mothers care of tenderness in case of sickness & I do feel better when employed in relieving distress than I should in the common occupation of the soldier. Our army fought against tremendous odds but at night the field of battle was concided to us. The rebel force was at least fourty thousand, while our little band could not by any possibility have been ten thousand. We had the advantage in artillery and we also used that advantage with tremendous effectiveness by the number of dead & wounded rebels still on the field, now after the lapse of nine days from the battle. I have no rational idea of the number of lost on either side. So I will not make an estimate which might mislead you. But enough on this subject. I will state however that I shall probably stay in my present position all winter.
I will soon have sixty dollars due me which, if I can find any means of forwarding, I shall send home for your benefit, or as father & mother shall deem best.
I wonder what young man sent my little sister a letter which she thought proper to send back to his father & never said a word to me about it. Now do tell. I should really like to know wouldn't __________
By the way how many times have you heard from your friend & ardent admirer Thos Martin Esq isn't that a rich joke ?
I hear from reliable sources that our C.G. Peirce is still pursuing his old business in Springdale and vicinity.
I wrote to Henry Weaver some time since & am patiently awaiting an answer. I don't know whether I acknowledged the receipt of Aunt Eliza's note or not. If not I do now & ask her for a continuance of the same as often as she conveniently can. I know she has cares of many but she might write once in a while. With love to all & lots more to say & no time to get it in. I am your ever loving brother
Sam Worthnothing
Dec 25, 1862
Fayetteville Ark Christmas
My Dearest Father & Mother
Must excuse my long continued and surprisingly ungrateful silence since the battle of Prairie Grove for when I tell them that I am enjoying nursing the wounded & that I get scarcely any sleep or rest whatever and have not any chance for writing since the day the battle on the seventh of the month. I did send a few lines to sister & a letter to Aunt Priscilla and commenced one to you but was called to duty before it was finished and I have not had a chance since
If you can get hold of the St Louis papers from the thirteenth of the eighteenth you can get a pretty good account of the late battle of the battles of Cane Hill & Old Fort Wayne.
Neither Elick or I were in the fight I was on Hospital Duty & Elick was not well enough to stand the long march. So he stopped at a what I write here you can show to Peirces He stopped at an old friends of his by the Name of Rhea and stayed with them a day or two. I am at the hospital several miles from the regiment and when I went down a few days ago on business with the boys the first thing Elick did was to put a picture in my hand. I opened it and who should it be but his father. The picture was true to life & it made me feel good to see it. How I did wish I had my own fathers likeness. When I asked him where he got it he replied with tears in his eyes "from Rheas". Elick got permission to go there to spend Christmas and I expect he had a good time. Gen Blunt is quartered in Rheas house it being the best in town. It is said by those that know that he, Rhea has the best mill in this portion of Arkansas
I think Elick is a great deal stouter than when he left home & in good spirits John Conwell is nursing in the same room with me if he knew I were writing he would send respects to Peirces folks.
I expect I shall stay in my present position all winter and as the extra pay coming from it will be something $7.50 a month if we get our wages soon I shall be able to send home somewhere in the neighborhood of fifty dollars. If we do not get paid off soon I'll have the larger amount to send. I want you to do with it as you think best, if Sister needs it send it to her but I think she will do better with a small amount at a time then with a large one. I wish when I get out of the service to go to school for a short time to learn bookkeeping and some other things
If I had a knowledge of bookkeeping I could easily with my penmanship get a position worth eighty dollars a month in the division quartermaster department
I will tell you to ease your minds that for your sakes I will keep out of the ranks it is hard to be away from the boys but I know your wishes in respect to my fighting and I shall not do it I can find places either in the Hospital or some where else. As I was carrying off wounded boys from the field of battle, every once in a while a ball would whiz past me but I know I was employed in an errand of mercy and did not feel in the least alarmed. I do not see how a man in our regiment escaped being killed for the bushes where they stood thick hazel were litterally mowed to the ground by the Rebel shots. They came on our boys in overwhelming numbers ten to one.
Give my respect to everybody tell Tillie Swain I thank her for the kind attention to mother while sick
Is there any school at Springdale this winter or at Gilberts Schoolhouse. When you write tell me about what kind of weather you are having.
Today is the most unlike Christmas of any one I ever saw a warm drizzly rain shocking bad roads and far away from home We have an oyster supper for the inmates of the Hospital tonight politely paid for by Colonel Ewing & let me say at the mention of his name that never was Colonel more beloved by his men than our Thomas Ewing Jr. Our company has met with an irrparable loss in the death of Lieutenant John Owen. His body was sent home and the person that went with it left my watch at Benjamin Wetheral's store to be taken home.
I must now close remaining with love to all you affectionate Son
Samuel Worthington
Company A
11 Reg K V
Aug 22, 1864
Headquarters District of Upper Arkansas
Fort Riley Kas, Aug 22, 1864
My Dear Mother
Your letter or rather letters were received. There was no date on either of them so I had to guess at the time things were written
I am always glad to receive letters from home, but it takes greatly from the pleasure of reading them. To be constantly reminded how near it breaks your heart to have a son away from home. It does me no good to know of your distress on my account and I am sure I do not expect to trouble you with any of my trials & vexations I should a great deal rather never hear from home than to get such letters as your last, for however kind it was meant I assure you I would a great deal rather you had given some information as to the way things are going on than to fill more than two thirds of a sheet with fears from my safety. There is not I honestly believe as much danger of physical harm here as there is in the Eastern part of the State. You must not believe half what the papers say. If there is any danger of Indians coming in here we will know it some hours beforehand and the Militia is ready armed and equipped and we can have a force of several hundred here inside of half a day. I have been thinking of writing a note to J.W. Roberts of the paper asking if he would like to hear occasionally from this place. I have excellent opportunities of knowing all the news of the Western part of the Country as I have all the dispatches to the General to copy. I am engaged now in writing for the New York Times Boston Commonwealth Cincinnati Commercial Harpers Weekly. The pieces in the Leavenworth Conservative signed RJH are partly my productions and partly someone elses. These items of which the paper are so full at present on the Indian War are mostly from the brains of imaginative persons at Fort Riley for the purposes of creative excitement and having more troops ordered here. I do not vouch for the truth of one fifth of them. But you must not tell anyone so, I just let you know so you must not be alarmed about the awful state of affairs in the Western Country. This matters of going east you must use your own discretion about for my own part I don't know of anything that would be likely to be better for all
I have not heard from Sister yet am looking for a letter daily. Fathers letter will be answered in a day or two. I am in such a hurry now I am afraid you cannot read this letter Give my Respects to friends & believe me as ever.
Your Loving Son & Brothers
Samuel Worthington
A Comp 11th 2C
care H.S. Loving A H H G
Dist __________ Ark
Fort Riley Kans
Oct 12, 1864
Headquarters, District of Upper Arkansas
Fort Riley, Kan. October 12th 1864
My Dear Father
This morning has been very busy as news of Price's forward movement has just come in and we have been making out orders for troops to come in from the West by forced marches. You may see me at any day as most likely the staff will soon leave for the field and I shall most probably accompany it. I don't see how we can withstand the forward progress of Gen Price as there are not in the Dept of Missouri & Dept of Kansas troops sufficient to whip him unless reinforcements arrive from the East. For my part I think we are going to have hot times before the Rebs are driven from our Border.
I am not certain that I can obtain permission to go but are in hopes I can if no other way I can get relieved and go to my company. All quiet is the news from the West. The Indians have made an armistice for a short time and they and our commanding officers are on the verge of making a treaty by which the Indians will move further into the wilderness.
My health is good have not heard from Sister since I last wrote neither from mother
In great haste as I must go to work again your
Loving Son
Saml Worthington
__________ Dist __________
Ft Riley
__________
P.S. Haven't time to open the letter again dispatch just received. Rebs march on Kansas City start this eve or tomorrow morning - goodbye - If I don't return remember I fough for the right - Rosen_____ says - he is afraid we will not be able to check the Rebs - farewell perhaps forever
Oct 27, 1864
Headquarters, District of South Kansas
Prola, Kan, October 27, 1864
My Dear Father
I am too tired to write much this evening but will send a few lines informing of my safe arrival about an hour since from the Front. I started from here three days since and joined the Command at West Point Day before yesterday. I was in the advance all day was in five grand Cavalry charges during this day.
In the morning I started to find Blunt and in the dark came on the Rebel Skirmishes and came very near being gobbled up. About sunrise I joined a Battery of Wisconsin Volunteers and fought with them for over an hour then I carried a dispatch to the rear about 9 O'clock AM. I got with the Seventh Kansas and was in the Charge in which we took 6 pieces of artillery 300 prisoners and General Marmaduke. I was in the left wing of the Charging force and we all came near being taken in. My horse was so hard mouthed I could do nothing with him. I had emptied both my revolvers and before I got to the Rebel line of Battle and he with three other horses charged clear through the lines Strange to say, none of us were scratched in the least although we were in a perfect shower of balls. I was in several minor charges during the day, the details of which would prove of no interest. The Rebs are whipped completely. I was sent back here from the Arkansas line last evening with a message and start for Fort Riley this first of next week. I have no time to write now as I must let mother know how I am getting along. Farewell father
As ever
Samuel Worthington
Clerk Dist Headquarters
Fort Riley
Kansas
I am at B.J. Crews can spare time to write but a few words. Thy uncle __ & Aunt __ & __ & M Taylor were at grandfathers yesterday.
Henry Woodward started to Chicago last evening on acct of Israels illness hardly expecting to find him alive.
In all love
Mother
Jun 10, 1865
Head-quarters, District of the Upper Arkansas
Fort Riley, Kansas: June 10, 1865
Dear Mother
I have only time to say I am not yet out of the service, but could be mustered out today if I wished, and all I am waiting for is the Pay Master. I think most probably I shall remain here for a while after leaving the service, as I have a good position offered me, which I think it would be foolishness to refuse. Health is good. Have had several letters from WB this week but none from Father or Mother. In haste
Your Loving & Affectionate Son
Samuel Worthington
B. Direct as usual till you hear otherwise Love to all. Write soon. Sam