This letter was written by David H. Hillman (1843-1891), the son of Robert T. Hillman and Mary Shalke of New Lisbon, Columbiana county, Ohio. David enlisted in Co. I, 78th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). David served as a private in the regiment from 4 December 1861 until 12 January 1865.

David addressed the letter to his brother, most likely his older brother John H. Hillman (b. 1836) who was employed as as teacher until entering the war in August 1862 as a private in Co. K, 104th OVI. He also added a note to his older sister Rachel, b. 1842.

The 78th Ohio Infantry was organized from October 1861 to January 1862, to serve for three years. It left by rail for Cincinnati on Feb. 11, and then by steamer for Fort Donelson on the Tennessee river. At daylight on the morning of the second day at Shiloh it went into the battle on the right and was under fire throughout the day, but with slight loss — 1 man killed and 9 wounded. In August it was in the brisk engagement near Bolivar, but in this affair the loss was slight. For several months it was engaged in movements preliminary to the Vicksburg campaign; participated in the battle of Raymond, losing in killed and wounded, about 80 men; was also engaged in the battle of Champion’s Hill, where it lost 116 men killed and wounded. At Vicksburg it participated in the general charge on May 22, with slight loss, and later was sent to Bovina, where it remained until after the surrender. In January 1864, it reenlisted as a veteran regiment and after its furlough home joined Gen. Sherman’s army at Acworth, Ga. It participated in the battle of Kennesaw mountain and at Atlanta on July 22 it lost 203 in killed and wounded. Of 13 flag and color-bearers of the regiment in the latter engagement, all were either killed or wounded. The regiment participated in the subsequent movements of the Army of the Tennessee till the fall of Atlanta and later was with Sherman’s forces on the march to the sea. It marched up through the Carolinas, then to Washington, and was mustered out on July 11, 1865.

Letter 1

Camp Gilbert
December 25, 1861
Christmas Day

Yes, my brother, it is Christmas Day in camp and I hardly know how to describe things to you. I will first speak of my letter. I received yours of the 18th last night and I was in just about as good a humor as I generally get into, Well, the reason was because it came from home I suppose. I had begun to think you was not going to write until you got a good ready, but it is all right now. I was very glad to hear that you are all well. You didn’t say anything about Axe’s folks, but I suppose they are well.

I am still well as usual and feel about the same as usual. We had more coffee than we needed and the boys took it down and traded it off for groceries such as chickens, butter, &c. &c.

The Colonel (Leggett) came up this morning to our fire and said, “Boys, I ordered two turkeys to the sutlers for you. I was on the top of our wood pile—which is a big one—when I cried with a mighty voice, “No boys, ‘three cheers’ for the Colonel” while the welkin rang with a mighty sound. The Colonel bowed, smiled like a modest man, and retired.

I hope you are having a good time at home. I want you to eat lots of sweet cakes for me or you may lay them over on Joe’s pile for I expect he likes them as well as ever. Tell Bert that I don’t reckon he will have a very good time a skating today as there is no ice but tell him and Joe to go to school and learn all they can.

Let me know in your next what father is going to do this winter. Tell all about everything. I want you to tell me how all the boys in the neighborhood are. Give my respects to Nic, Dave, Bill, Joe, George, and tell me where Abe Bricker is and what he is doing. Tell Craig Null that he can look out for a letter before long. It is a hard matter to write to everybody for stamps cost money and as mine is short, I must save my stamps till I get further away from home. But I will write home regularly. But other folks must wait for I cannot call them friends. This makes the third letter I have written home. I sent my picture in the last one. I want you to answer my letters whenever you get them. Send me news always. You will find a note addressed privately to yourself and one to Rachel on the other page. But I must stop.

Good wishes. Answer as soon as you can and remain your brother, — David H. Hillman

To my dear sister [Rachel],

I received your accompanying note to George. I was glad to hear from you. I hope you will look over all mistakes. Tell Mary H &c. I am going to write a letter to her sometime today. I had heard that Amanda Gedders was married. The news came in one of the other boy’s letters. But the news of Alec Snodgrass’s death surprised us all. But I must stop. Write me again. I am in a hurry as I want my letter to go to town at eleven o’clock. Talk to all the girls for me.

From your brother, truly, — Dave Hillman

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Letter 2

Bolivar, Tennessee
August 27th 1862

Dear Sister,

It is sabbath afternoon & I will write you a few lines to let you know I am well. I received your letter of the 24th last night. Was glad to hear that you were all well. It has been a good while since I wrote home but I will tell you why. We have had another brush with the enemy. Yesterday, one week ago, the enemy attacked us 8,000 strong. It was all cavalry. There was one colonel of the 11th Illinois Cavalry killed. He had $1500 in his pocket & a gold watch, all of which the rebels took. They threw his body in a farm yard and the hogs eat his face off. Some negroes dug a hole in the field & were just burying him when our cavalry made a charge & took his body and brought to town. ¹

The loss on our side was 10 killed, 30 wounded, and 60 prisoners. I did not learn their loss but it is supposed to be higher than ours. After we drove them from here, they proceeded up the railroad to Toombs Station, cut the telegraph, and tore up the railroad, had another hard fight, and took 200 more prisoners. They were driven off the field leaving 108 dead. They surrounded the town & we are now in a state of siege.

We have fortified the town strongly. We have got 6 or 7 forts besides endless chains of rifle pits. The enemy were commanded by Forrest, Armstrong, & Jackson. Col. Forrest was killed. We are looking for another fight every day & if they don’t attack us again, we will have to follow them up then for hard marching.

I would like to know where George is. I have had no word from home since he left home. I suppose he will be in Kentucky before long. When you write to him, tell him I am hurt that he does not write to me, or if he does, I don’t get his letters. When you write, please drop in a stamp occasionally. You said that Mary Ann has written me several letters. I have not got a letter from her since the Shiloh fight.

You spoke of sending me my overcoat. Why, it is so hot down here in the daytime that a fellow can’t keep himself cool in the shade and at night it is very cool but I don’t want it. Tell Pop to go to Todd’s and see if he is coming back & if he don’t come, give him my stockings and tell him to send them by Sergeant Falconer.

I have not much news to write. When you write, tell me all the news as I write to you for all. Tell Mother and Father, Bert, Joe, Kate, Mary and Hiram and all to write. My love to all the folks at home & respects to all the neighbors.

Ever remain your brother, — D. H. Hillman

¹ I believe Hillman may be inaccurate in his facts describing this incident. While the 11the Illinois Cavalry were engaged, so too were the 2nd Illinois Cavalry and I believe it was Lieut. Colonel Harvey Hogg of Bloomington, Illinois, who fell “in a bold and gallant sabre charge.” Hogg’s body was retrieved from the battlefield and brought home but I’m thinking the story of Lt. Col. Hogg’s face being eaten off by hogs appears ludicrous.