This letter was written by Joseph H. Corbin (1846-1932) who enlisted in the 44th Ohio Infantry which was later converted into the 8th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry (OVC). Joseph served in Co. G.

Transcription

Harrisburg, Pa.
August 6th 1864

Dear Father,

As I have nothing else to do, I come to the conclusion that I would write you a few lines to let you know where I am and what I am doing at present.

We are encamped at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. How I came to get here was that all the dismounted cavalry of Averill’s Division was sent here to recruit up and draw new horses. My horse played out on the raid into East. Va. and I have had to take it a foot ever since. But good luck when we move. We always go on the cars. Our duty here is very light. Our greatest trouble is to cook what little we eat. I supposed when we came here we would get plenty to eat but all the difference is when we are at the front, we get hard tack, and here we get light bread and only half rations of it.

Although we are having good times here, I would rather get to the regiment where we can get our mail and also our pay. There is now $202 coming to us from the government and we haven’t money enough to buy what few little articles we need. There is no telling when the regt. will concentrate. On our way here, we left some men at Parkersburg, some at Harpers Ferry, Baltimore, Beverly, Cumberland, and here and so on.

There is all kinds of reports here about the rebel raiders on the Potomac but there is no use to waste papers and ink writing such stuff.  One hour we hear one thing and the next hour it is contradicted.

I suppose you are very well acquainted with the localities of Hagerstown, Md. & Chambersburg, Pa. and a number of other little towns between here and the Potomac.  About three hundred rebel cavalry made a raid in the rear of Averill and burned [the] greater portion of Chambersburg and then retired. At first they demanded $100,000 in specie or they would burn the town. The citizens refused to do this and in a short time their houses was in flames. A rebel major who was at the head of the work was shot by a citizen who afterwards went out on the street and put six more holes through the reb Major. Whenever the citizens would see a reb, they would shoot him down and say that’s what you get for burning our property.

Well it’s almost noon and I am about one mile from Camp in a grove writing on a stage that was fixed up to dance on. It is a very cool place and just a little way from the river. If we stay here any time, I will probably write you another letter. Write soon and tell me all the news adn I will try and do the same.

From your son, Joseph H. Corbin

Direct to Detachment, 8th O. V. C., Harrisburg, Pa. or Camp Curtain