The following letter was written by Henry B. Hillegass (1840-1914) who served as a private in Co. K, 148th Pennsylvania Infantry. Henry was the son of George Hillegass (1816-1889) and Lydia Frey (1813-1842) of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. Just prior to his enlistment in August 1862, Henry was residing in Quakertown, Bucks county, Pennsylvania.

The 148th Pennsylvania was wrapped in glory at Gettysburg where they fought in the Wheatfield on 2 July 1863.

Henry was shot in the left leg on 10 May 1864 at Po River and at the time of this letter in November of that year, he was still recuperating in a Washington D. C. Hospital. He was not officially discharged from the service until 25 June 1865.

Henry wrote the letter to his lady friend but he never refers to her by name. She was, presumably, Susanna Catharine Blanck whom he married in 1865 and with whom he had at least five children. They lived out their days in Spinnertown, Bucks county, PA, where Henry retired from his job as a cigar maker.

Transcription

Lincoln Hospital B. B.
Washington
November 9, 1864

My dear and affectionate love,

I take the present opportunity today to drop a few lines to you informing you that I am well at the present time and I hope and pray that these few lines may find you in the same state of good health and that you may enjoy yourself with pleasure wherever you are.

My dear, I inform you that I enjoy myself not very well at the present time for it is very lonesome here where I am. But I don’t expect to stay here long. I may stay a few weeks here. I expect they will transfer me to my own state and I expect to come home this winter sometimes—maybe before long. They are talking to leave them all home what wasn’t at home [for] the election.

My dear, I inform you that I expect Old Abe will be reelected again for the President for I have received the paper this morning and it gives a great account for Old Abraham Lincoln.

And my dear true love, I inform you about a little of war [news] that I have received by a letter from the army yesterday that they have had another battle again and it was stated that one third of our Corps was captured. If you have heard from Daniel M. Gersch, write to me if he is alive yet or not.

My dear, I inform you that my leg is recovering and commenced to heal again. You need not be afraid that I wouldn’t be able to walk. My legs gets so sound than ever it was. I am walking around with a cane at the present time. I hope you won’t get angry about me. I am as true to you as ever and I hope you be the same to me. We will have once the happy time which we have now sorrow if we keep our health and don’t be parted from each other. I remember you as long as I live and I hope you do the same to remember me.

It is not long anymore that I have to serve in this cruel war. The time goes fast around now. Then I hope to meet you in love if you don’t part from me. Then our heart and hand may be joined together to part not until death. And then I hope to have a long and happy life with each other.

My dear, I inform you if Edward Payne is at home, tell him that he shall come [at] once and see me if he comes out again. I expect he is at home at the present election.

— Mr. Henry B. Hillegess