Author Inspired By A Soldier's Letter

Ken Ossian, president of Ossian Inc., a Davenport, Iowa-based ice melt manufacturer, accidentally became an author of a book about the Civil War.

“My interest in the Civil War started about 20 years ago when I was collecting swords from various periods,” says Ken. “About five years ago, my mother-in-law told me about her grandfather, Micajah Peyton, who served in the Civil

War. The family knew just a few things about Micajah. They knew he had been at the Battle of Shiloh, and that he had been captured.”

The Battle of Shiloh occurred in April 1862, and was a major battle in the Civil War. Located in southern Tennessee, the Union called it “Pittsburg Landing” and the Confederacy called it “Shiloh.” The family still has a letter from Micajah that survived all these years.

Inspired by Micajah’s letter, Ken started researching Micajah’s regiment, with encouragement from his wife Karen and her mother. Ken quickly realized what a significant part of history the young Iowa soldier was involved in back in 1862.

Born in1839, Micajeh joined the 14th Regiment at the age of 22. He trained in Davenport and served three years.

“Micajah’s first big battle was Fort Donelson,” says Ken. “After that, he moved on down to the Battle of Shiloh. The losses were unbelievable at Shiloh. There were over 23,000 casualties, including those on both sides who were killed, wounded and missing.”

According to Ken, the term “missing” means someone was captured. Micajah himself was captured and imprisoned in a war camp.

Ken used the date of the letter to determine that Micajah was imprisoned in a St. Louis camp, and was then paroled because there weren’t enough facilities to handle the prisoners. Neither army was prepared to handle large numbers of prisoners, and both sides thought the war would only last a few months, not four years.

“The prisoners were released ‘on their honor’ that they would not fight against the opposing army,” says Ken. “The soldiers gave their word of honor, and typically went home until prisoners’ names were exchanged and they were encouraged to return to their units. I was also able to calculate, based on the date of the arrival of a new baby, exactly when Micajah was at home for those few months.”

Because there were so many people from both sides of the battle living in the same country, there is so much history that is accessible from letters, family bibles and diaries.

“You can dig in to the records and just about find out on a certain day what your person of interest was most likely eating and which way the wind was blowing,” says Ken. “Most of my writings for the book were taken from diaries from people who were there at the same time.”

Ken’s book will be published soon.

“This was supposed to be a small book, something I could finish in six months,” says Ken. “Five years later, we’re finishing up the illustrations and getting it ready to be sent to the editor.”

Gretchen Roufs, an 18-year janitorial supply industry veteran, owns a marketing and public relations company in San Antonio. To suggest someone you think should be featured in “Freetime,” contact her at Gretchen@GretchenRoufs.com