Teresa,

Amelia penned her letter to Herbert on the same day having received his letter written on December 17, 1864. The best I can make out of the date she writes is January 4, it could well be the 17th.

Assuming it was the 4th, it had taken 18 days in transient to reach her. The area around Memphis being apparently a no mans land with the Federal Army in control of much of the area.

She closed her letter at midnight, which would indicate she posted it the next day, say the 5th. Assuming it might take just as long for Herbert to received it, that might indicate he received it late January, 1865 at the earliest.

Her writing indicates her to be a well educated, wordily wise lady. As she doesn't mention children, I would imagine the couple to be older, empty nesters. Also, it would indicate to me that Herbert to be an officer. This appears to be confirmed by the fact that she implores that he resign his commission.

Now, how did one of the Donica's gain possession of this letter? We need therefore, to find where their regiment, the 4th Illinois Cavalry was located at this time.

My best guess is that Herbert was captured during one of the 4th Illinois raids, most likely the March raid into Northern Mississippi. We need further to gain an understanding of Confederate units operating in that area.

I have searched Ancestry.com census records with their given names to no avail.

Here is a chronology of the 4th Illinois Cavalry history.

Jacob Donica of Gridley, Illinois enlisted as a Private in Company G, 4th Illinois Cavalry on September 19, 1861 for the term of three years, along with Abram Donica of Kappa, Il, who enlisted as a Quarter Master Sergeant. Stationed at Ottawa, Illinois

Jacob was promoted Corporal, no date listed

Abram was promoted 2nd Lieut. September 3, 1862

Abram had been promoted 1st Lieut. February 29, 1864

In the latter part of October 1864, we received an order covering that part of the Regiment that had not re-enlisted under the order for Veterans, to proceed to Springfield, Ill., to be mustered out of service.

Captain A.T. Search, First Lieutenant William P. Callon, and Second Lieutanant Abram Donica were retained to command the consolidated portion of the Fourth Illinois Cavalry, assigned to Company A, October 18, 1864

Jacob was mustered out with his Company November 3, 1864 at Springfield, Illinois having completed their term of service

3rd-Thursday. The regiment was all mustered out. The regiment retained Lieuts. Baker and Donica, and the recruits, and veterans

Ordered to Memphis, Tenn., December.

December 17, 1864 Herbert writes Amelia

Company A stationed at Memphis, Tenn. January-February-April, 1865

Grierson's Raid on Mobile and Ohio R. R. December 21, 1864, to January 15, 1865. The regiment returned from the raid arriving Vicksburg January 5, 1865. Transportation to Memphis requested

Amelia receives Herbert's Dec. 17th letter, posts response letter the next day, possibly January 5, 1865

Expedition from Memphis to Marion, Ark., January 21-22 landing at Mound city.

Expedition from Memphis into SE Ark. & NE La. Jan 25 - Feb 11

Herbert may have received letter from Amelia, January 25 or later

January 26, 1865, the regiment is temporarily attached to the Commanding Officer Cavalry Division as Provost Guard**and Pioneer Corps for the present expedition.

Embarked for Gaines Landing, Ark. [~200+ river miles below Memphis] January 26 arriving morning of the 29th striking south reaching the southern most point at Point Pleasant, La. about Feb. 2. Began march north February 4. Embarked Gaines Landing Feb. 11 for return Memphis. 44 prisoners were captured along with a large number of deserters

Expedition from Memphis into Northern Mississippi March 3-11. Provost Guard and Pioneer Duty, marched Germantown, Colersville, North Mt. Pleasant, Lamar, Salem and headquartering at Ripley from which parties were sent as far East as the Mobile and Ohio RR destroying facilities at Boonville, Guntown, Baldwyn, etc.

March 4, 1865 ordered to report to Gen. Grierson [Cavalry Forces, Mil. Div. of West Mississippi] to New Orleans for service in the field

Promoted Captain March 13, 1865

Expedition from Memphis to Brownsville, Tenn/Miss., April 19-23 for the purpose of capturing Quantrill and his band of of about 60 men operating on the Hatchie River and Mat Luxton with his band of 20 operating in the same region. Transported North on Mississippi River, off loaded at Fulton on the 20th, marched overland 35 miles to Brownsville, captured the place including Col. B. J. Lea, Capt. E. J. Martin (Commissary of Subsistence) & Lt. S. M. Russell. Returned to Fulton on the 22nd and embarked returning to Memphis.

Company A stationed at Alexandria, Louisiana, May-June 1865

Duty at Memphis till June.

Consolidated with 14th Illinois Cavalry June 14, 1865. Believe it was the 12th Illinois, not the 14th.

The 12th Illinois was mustered out on 29 May 1866 at Houston, TX, and ordered to proceed to Camp Butler, Springfield, for payment and discharge. It left Houston on the 2nd of June, and arrived at Springfield on the 14th, and was paid off on the 18th -- the last regiment from our state to return home.

.........

** Provost Marshall troops or the Provost Guard, as they were also known, were the military police of the Union Army during the American Civil War. They had a separate chain of command from the regular and volunteer troops answering only to the Provost Marshall of each Division or Corps. While in the field they acted as the security detachment for Division and Corps Headquarters. They protected Headquarters units and provided men to guard captured Confederates on their way to the rear. They provided security against Confederate guerrillas and raiders.

It would likely be serving as Provost Guard that Lt. Abram gained possession of Herbert's letter following his capture.