The following letter was written by Adam Oscar Branstetter (1834-1865), the son of Adam Grundy Branstetter (1784-1868) and Rachel E. Snavely (1788-1839) of Wellsville, Montgomery county, Missouri. Adam was married to Caroline (“Carrie”) M. Little (1829-1902) in April 1862. He managed to remain out of the war until September 1864 when he was enrolled as a private in Co. B, 49th Missouri (Union) Regiment. At the time of his enlistment he was described as a six foot tall, black-haired, 30 year-old farmer.

Unfortunately, Adam did not survive the war. He died on 3 June 1865 at Montgomery, Alabama, suffering from chronic diarrhea.

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Dauphin Island, Alabama
March 17th 1865

Carrie Branstetter
Wellsville, Missouri

Dear wife, I answer your letter daed March 2nd. I have been sick for four weeks but am well at this time. I look as gaunt as a race horse. You would not know me. I had the chronic diarrhea. It gives me fits.

I am sorry to hear that the baby is sick and father is blind. It grieves me to hear such news.

We have done some hard marching since we left Missouri. We lay on the Lake for three days in a storm. We have plenty of fresh oysters here by gathering them. This island is about twelve miles long and one wide and covered with soldiers. I saw William Mosby from Louisiana. He belongs to the 33rd Missouri Regiment and several others that I know. I expect we will start to Mobile in a few days where we will have some fighting to do.

I see something new every day. After we left New Orleans, we crossed The Lake Pontchartrain and Mobile Bay. We saw the rebel’s gunboats on picket and we passed Fort Powell. This island is covered with pine. It is a beautiful place and very healthy.

There is not a woman on this island. We are only 28 miles from Mobile. We can hear the cannon every day. It sounds beautiful.

I sent a blanket and overcoat and one pair of drawers and some other little things. I would like to know whether you got them or not and all the general news and if the militia has been called out. I never hear a word about Hiram Louis’ family.

You must be saving of your money for I don’t expect to get anymore till my time is up. That is a long time. I do not know what you will do for money. Nelson is well. So is Peyton, Ben and Tom is well also, and all the balance of the boys. Give my love to Hiram’s family and brother Andrew’s family. My love to Father and Mother and sister Polly. Tell Molly and Bud to be good children and kiss that sweet little babe for me. Tell the babe to kiss its Mother for me. You must excuse this bad writing for I am so weak I can’t hardly write.

I must close. I remain your true and affectionate husband till death, — A. O. Branstetter

Direct your letters to Co. B, 49th Regiment Infantry Missouri Volunteers, 10th Army Corps, 3rd Division, 2nd Brigade.