Miscellaneous Stoner Families
Not necessarily our own family
"Nothing More to Say, Michael Stoner?' by Wanda Montz
When H.A. Stoner, RR2, of Cedar Rapids was going through family possessions he uncovered a letter written 73 years ago from a Civil War encampment at Owl Rock Church in Georgia. It was H.A. Stoner's grandfather, John Stoner, who received the letter at North Liberty in 1864 from his brother, Michael, who was fighting in the war.
Our brigade held in check 24,000 of the Foneys (Confederates) the date Atlanta fell. The Spenser rifles sent them like chaff before the wind to the happy land of Caanan.'
There were somewhere near 12,000 brave sons of America who drew their sabers and waved them over their heads, and gave a cheer. In the lines we went, leaving 2,000 of our foe wallowing in their blood. When it comes to using the sabers it makes horrible work in a very few minutes, but traitors and rebels can't stand to see the glittering blade drawn and approaching.
You would perhaps like to know how the soldiers in this command feel about the election. There are at least nine out of every 10 for Old Abe and Johnson, and the election of them is the death-blow of the so-called confederacy. Soldiers can't vote for men that want peace on any terms after having suffered what they have. They say, away with the object that caused this war. Then we won't have to do this work over again.
The effects of fatigue and exposure are beginning to make their appearance. Lying in the wet and cold brings rheumatism. I hope the war will be over so there won't be any more need of making charges and cutting and slashing men to pieces. The captain of the company I belong to had a saber the company presented to him. When he received it he said if ever the opportunity presented itself it should never be carried by a coward, but should pierce the heart of a traitor. He made his word good.
The nearest I ever was to the rebels was about a hundred yards. And that is as close as I want to get. When the general was wounded, I was within 25 yards of him, and he was on the extreme front on the line which is sometimes not a very healthy place. But I feel satisfied that hardest part of the fighting is over with. As for myself, I have nothing to say.
