Short Biography: Job Barnard

Job Barnard was born on June 8th, 1844, at Maple Arbor Farm, Porter County, Indiana. His parents were William and Sally Barnard and he had 8 older siblings. He grew up working on his father’s farm. Joe had a love for learning at an early age. He enjoyed reading books by great authors of the time. When he was a kid he spent, time learning at the local public schools. When Joe was older he decided to go and study at Valparaiso Male and Female College for two years. When the Civil War began, Joe didn’t hesitate to enlist for the Union Army. Joe was part of Company K of the 73rd Indiana Volunteer. He ended up staying with this command during the entire war.
All of Job’s letters are to his future wife Florence, Flora for short. In Job’s first letter …show more content…
Job talks about how he spent the day in the prettiest town the south has to offer. He thanks a man named Clarence for sending him a special type of fish hook he can’t get where he is currently staying. Job then discusses a letter he got from his brother taking about the funeral of President Lincoln. He then says President Lincoln made stronger and more united than ever before. Which is a little ironic since this was the Civil War. Job states that the war is coming to an end and thinks it will be over by July. He discusses going back to school after the war is over and how he will need to re-learn some algebra. Then he talked about two men who celebrated the death of Lincoln. The union soldiers captured them tied ropes around their necks dunked them in the lake, then rolled them in sand and made them walk around the streets with a union flag cheering on the union. They were then asked to leave, which was an offer they couldn’t refuse. Job’s brother Ed (might not be his brother) helped humiliate these people and even thought they should have been killed. Ed actually new one of them because he kicked them out of his school for praising Jeff Davis (this was worded very weirdly don’t know if that’s what happened). Job then discusses how he will surprise Flora on her 17th birthday by showing up. He then states that even though he has been away from college for …show more content…
He wrote that he hopes Flora gets better because she has fallen sick. He came across a group of slaves who had just crossed the Tennessee River. The group was on their way to report to their master, but one of the soldiers said no man is your master and told them to head towards the nearest Union camp. All the soldiers were unsettled by the sight of slaves still being trafficked. The captain that returned shared the story of his life in prison by the Confederates. The captain then told Job that he ran into his friend Ed and that Ed was in good health. Job than expressed how warm it was and how unbearable the mosquitos were. Now Job wants to write his letter, but he can’t because his company is under inspection. Eventually the inspector decides to go read a book which gives Job time to write his letter. Job is celebrating because Jeff Davis and his family were all captured. Job says he should be home by July 4th at the latest. He also says that because things have been so quiet for him the job of being a soldier has become pretty boring.
The next letter takes place about one month later. This first thing Job writes is how the flies are very annoying. He then states that he should be getting relieved from duty soon. Then he talks about his old college and another college that sent him an advertisement, which he really wasn’t interested in. Job than lists all the things he