The following letter was written by Lemuel Wilmer Smith (1829-1922) who enlisted at the age of 32 as a private in the 66th Ohio Infantry on 17 October 1861. He mustered into Co. F on 26 December 1861 and worked his way up to Captain of the company a year later. He was mustered out of the regiment at Savannah, Georgia, on 29 December 1864.

An obituary for Lemuel informs us that he was born in May 1829 at Leesburg, Ohio and died in March 1922 at the age of 92 and 10 months. He moved with his parents to Union county, Ohio, in 1834 where he made his home until 1881 when he moved to Holliday, Illinois. When he was 20 years old he joined in the gold rush to California. When he returned, he walked across the Isthmus of Panama and barely escaped capture by Indians. He married Minerva Twiford in 1852. After her death in 1867, he remarried to Sarah Crawford. In the 1870 US Census, Lemuel was enumerated in York, Ohio, where he made a living as a dry goods merchant and served as the local postmaster. I should note that Lemuel’s spelling was very poor suggesting a limited education.

Lemuel wrote the letter to John N. Rathburn who served in Co. F of the regiment until promoted to Captain of Co. C on 3 March 1864. He was wounded on 9 June 1864 at Port Republic. [Many of the letters exchanged between John and his wife are housed in the US Army Heritage and Education Center at Carlisle Barracks]

Lemuel’s letter was written from Atlanta which the regiment occupied just prior to Sherman’s March to the Sea.

Transcription

Atlanta, Georgia
October 27th 1864

The day is passed, tis now almost ten p.m. but before retiring will proceed to narrate the adventures and events of the day and will from time to time write a little and if I can think of enough nonsense to fill this sheet of fools cap, may forward it to you. It is not necessary, however, to refer back longer than the evening before you started for Ohio, for of course you are posted up to the evening that Smith bought that large hog and one Captain lost his sword while on Dress Parade.

Well, the morning you left, you recollect it was raining. I was detailed as officer of the day so as a matter of course, it rained all day. However, in the evening it stopped raining for a short time but only to commence again in earnest, accompanied with thunder and lightning. Heaven’s artillery opened up on our peaceful city, the lightning striking a large frame house filled with arms and ammunition, causing an awful explosion which fairly shook the whole city, blowing the house into fragments, badly injuring a number of the guard that were there stationed. The house was taken fire and was consumed so today I have come to the conclusion that the Lord is not on our side. Nothing more unusual happened worthy of note so as it is now near bed time, I will say my prayers and retire to my virtuous couch (no wonder virtuous) but enough. I go to bed.

October 28 10 p.m. Don’t feel very bully tonight but before retiring must write a little just enough to keep my hand in. So here I go. Well, this morning the sun as usual arose in the east and I understand that the Chattahoochie continues to run down stream. Everything all hunkey. Got up this morning, washed, eat breakfast. took a stroll down town, didn’t hear any news, but found plenty of pork at the commissary—real old fashioned mess pork. Oh Lord, you ought to have saw me go for it. So have got pretty well greased up again. About 10 a.m., Lawrence Porter called in, do I jumps on to Doc’s pony, goes out to the commissary, gets two canteens full of whiskey, so of course didn’t leave very soon. Well, about three o’clock, here come Lieut. Wells, so we sent out and got three more canteens of infernal rotgut and so I leave you to judge what followed. I will say, however, that I didn’t go out on Dress Parade this evening. I suppose Wells and Porter got back to their quarters. For my part, I know that I am here and writing, but if you can read it, you will do better than I think. So shan’t write anymore tonight. That’s all.

October 29. Evening. From some cause or other, had an awful headache during the forenoon but alright this evening. The first thru train come down this evening. Plenty to eat now. Some of our train guard returned today. Tells me the Rebs got after you and [W. A.] Cavis on the road home. Well that’s good enough for you. You should of had better luck, however. I hope you will have no more trouble on your way home. All quiet here today. One of those big black spiders you have seen in this country but Sergt. Thompson on the back of the neck this morning which come very near killing him. His head, legs and body becoming very much swollen. He suffers awfully. I understand he is better this evening and Doc thinks he will get well. Everything here as usual. Considerable talk of moving. Good night.

Sunday morning, October 30th, 10 o’clock. Must tell you this morning that last night we had two hundred subs [substitutes] and drafted men come to our regiment. All quiet this morning. Can’t write any more now. Must get ready for inspection. Will write more this evening if I have time.

Again tis night and a beautiful night it is—warm and pleasant. Have got our subs distributed among the companies. 17 of them in my company. This will entitle me to a Second Lieutenant so I shall make application for commission for Billy immediately. I understand there is another lot of subs coming for our regiment so if we have good luck, we will soon be ready for another slaughter.

Puff went picket yesterday morning for three days. Your old company got 17 subs. All quiet here this evening. Have orders to send all surplus baggage to the rear and be ready to march at half hour’s notice. Don’t care a damn. Suppose there is a move on hand and perhaps somebody will get hurt. Got letter from my wife today dated October 18th. Find all well and glad of it. Also received today a few lines from your wife written by request of Mts. Constant, making enquiry as to the whereabouts of W[illiam] J. Constant. Don’t know anything about him. Last I heard of him, he was at hospital No. 1, Nashville, Tenn. Haven’t heard from him for some six weeks. Please see Mrs. Constant when convenient & give what information you can. Haen’t heard anything of Alfred Amrine. What’s become of his Little Frow? Hope he may turn sometime.

Well, guess I shan’t write anymore tonight for I don’t want to get my sheet of fools cap full before I think you have got about home. Bye bye.

October the last 1864. Mustered today for two months pay. Sub drill at two. Dress parade 4 p.m. Day somewhat warmer than usual and a little cloudy. Nothing unusual happened during the day. All quiet. Orders to have all baggage sent to the rear. Each officer will have transportation for one valise & three blankets. Book desks, and all other surplus baggage to be sent back to Chattanooga and to be ready to march at am hour’s notice. That’s what the matter. Don’t know who is to relieve us here or haven’t much idea where we are going. Don’t care much. No mail today.

Letter came for you yesterday. Puff has it. The paymaster sent for our old rolls two days ago but I guess it’s all a damned lie about us going to be paid off soon. Thompson is getting well again. Puff got in off of picket today. Keller is drunk as B___h this evening. Milk sick. I promoted Griffin today and made corporals of Dines and Mat[thias] Smith, to date from tomorrow. Stanley got another of those perfumed letters today from Indiana (Keep dark). Brewster was here today. He is getting fuller and broader all the time. I made out my monthly returns for camp and garrison equippage today. Shall go to work on muster and regimental rolls tomorrow is we don’t leave.

But I see I will have to stop scribbling or get more fools cap. Guess won’t write anymore. Hope long before this shall reach you that you shall have arrived safely at home. Call and see my folks and if anybody asks you when I am coming home, tell them you don’t know. Be sure and don’t write.

Yours &c. — Lem. Smith

[to] J. N. R.