This letter came to me for transcription attributed to the pen of a soldier in the 105th Pennsylvania Infantry but that is clearly erroneous. The 105th Pennsylvania did not garrison Fort Reynolds in May 1865 and it is my believe the author was in a unit that was raised or drafted late in the war to man the fortifications about Washington D. C.

The signature looks like “John Lay” to me but I can’t be certain of that.

Whoever wrote the letter believed that President Johnson was better equipped than President Lincoln to lead the Nation forward. “I do not say that he was not a great man,” speaking of Lincoln, “but he was good and that he why he was great.”

Transcription

Fort Reynolds, Virginia
May 4 [1865]

Dear Sister,

Being on guard I could not forego the pleasure of writing to you a reply to your best of letters that I received from you. I thought that I would commence this morning so that I might have plenty of time to write you. This is a splendid morn—one of the best that I have seen since we have been out here. Oh would I not like to be with some that I could name this beautiful morning to enjoy their kind smiles and loving words. What thinks my sister? Well, I would love it very much. But I can’t find any fault, can I sister? No, not any. To look at the Nation as it was and as it is—my heart fills with grateful emotions to think that God has removed the cloud that has so long rested upon our country. All praise be unto His holy name for He has done it. The Nation feels it, I think, and their hearts are full to overflowing. Oh the many hearts that are beating with hope that one month ago were all anxiety now are cherishing the hope of seeing their long absents at home again. And who has done all this? No one but the God of our Father. Thanks to His name.

One month ago they were raising men and money and the front looked as defiant as ever since the war began. But now no more men, no more money, and thank God, no front. Who has done all this—God.

A short time ago we were thinking how the loving ones at home would take it if we were ordered to the front and we thinking how many unseen dangers there might be before us. Our hearts failed us. The questions in our minds—who will care for our loves ones at home has been answered by a kind, gracious God who has been unto us more than all our fears and turned our fears into hope. I have all the time felt that God would care for the loved ones at home if I never was permitted to see them again. But more than all the prayers of wife & one of the kindest sisters and the prayer of one little boy were my comforts and hope through all the nine months that has passed by. I felt that He would hear and answer prayer—but now He has said Peace to the angry elements and peace is in every heart. What joy there is in that little word joy=peace.

You say that you had the headache last Sabbath. I am sorry, sister, but if I had been there I would given my sister’s head a good rub with cold water with a brother’s good will and then I guess your head would’ve been better. What does my Sister think about it? And then one good brother’s kiss would’ve made it all well. What do you think of that? Rather harsh medicine, ain’t it?

You say that when I come home you will kill the fatted calf if you find him. Now, sister, I am not very fat. Neither very poor. But not in a killing condition—except with love. I suppose though, sister, that I shall let the folks at home do as they are a mind to if they do right.

You ask what I think about our new President. I think he is a greater man for the times than Mr. Lincoln but he never will be loved as he was. He had a great & good heart. They loved him for his goodness—not for his greatness. I do not say that he was not a great man but he was good and that he why he was great. Because [as] President, [he] used his power for goodness and mercy. But Johnson will deal with the Rebels as well as any man we could have and he is as loyal as any man that lives and he is a man of the people.

You ask if we had preaching on the Sabbath. No, we did not. The minister came but it being the last day of the month, we had to be mustered. That is the law in the army every two months, the last day of the month. This is military. He gave us some papers….

I must close my letter. From your brother. Love and a kiss. May God bless you. — John [ ]