Home page Jews in the Civil War Jews in the Wild West History of Palestine The Occident Virtual Library

בס"ד

 

Colonel Marcus M. Spiegel

Head Quarters left Wing 120 O.V.I. on Board
U.S.S. Key West No. 2 afloat on the Mis. River
between Helena and Gaines Landing
Dec. 21/1862

My dear Brother Moses!

...After I had my people in the boat, I walked along the riverbank and saw a Yehudah and his wife. I remembered the Sabbath and decided to have a kosher lunch. So, as my friend and his wife came closer, I said, “Happy Sabbath, dear people,” frightening the gentleman and probably his wife, being offered “Happy Sabbath” by a man in uniform with sword, spurs, and so forth and so forth. I asked where one could eat a kosher lunch. The gentleman said I could go with him, or to Mr. Levy who was holding a Jewish Boarding house. I went to Levy and found him and about 30 Jews very surprised when I asked if I could have a Chanukah lunch (my friend at the river bank told me Sabbath Chanukah). But when I sat at the table and Levy took a good look at me he said, “I think the face looks familiar” and when I told him my name he said, “Dear God, a son of Rabbi Mosche of Abenheim, a Lieutenant Colonel.” I was surprised and discovered soon that he was a son of Loeb Herrnsheim. Carl Schloss is married to Levy’s niece. We went to visit him and he was very busy and I promised to return in the evening and stay overnight but unfortunately the departure signal was given an hour earlier and I had to miss a pleasure I would have very much enjoyed and I am convinced it would have been very stimulating for both of us.

Just now the Signal of danger sounded. I must go and see what it meant. Supposed Guerillas in the Woods on shore and the whole fleet anchored. It is awful dark and I do not believe we will make any demonstrations to night. The Gunboats are plying up and down and I think they can attend to any thing ordinary for to night.

With this interruption it is getting late and I must bring my long Epistle to a close. Now Moses let me tell you write often and do not wait for me, for many times weeks may pass in a campayne like this that I may not have a chance to write to you, but at any time will it give me undescribable happiness to hear from you, my more than Brother….

Return to Spiegel Preface