William Harrison Campbell (1838-1912), a 23 year-old school teacher from Selma, Liberty Township, Delaware county, Indiana. His parents were Samuel Graham Campbell (1797-1873) and Elisabeth Goings (1804-1882). He wrote the letter to his older sister, Jane Campbell (1835-1906).

Will enlisted in Co. K, 19th Indiana Infantry on 29 July 1861 as a first sergeant and was promoted to 2nd, then 1st Lieutenant during the war. The 19th Indiana was, of course, part of the famed Iron Brigade or “Black Hat” Brigade. He was discharged for medical disability in October 1863 on account of the wound he received in the right hand while fighting Pettigrew’s North Carolinians in the afternoon of July 1st above Willoughby Run near Gettysburg.

After he was discharged from the service, he worked on his parents farm for a few years and then went to Newton, Iowa, where he worked as a clerk in a dry goods store. He then returned to Indiana and worked in the dry goods business at Anderson. He married Nancy Clyne (1849-1920).

Transcription

Fort Craig
February 28, 1862

Dear Sister Jane,

I take the pleasure this evening in replying to your very kind letter. I am in good health at present and as fat as a pig. The health of the regiment is good. The boys are all highly set up with the idea of a forward movement. We are now under marching orders. When we will be called out, I cannot tell. Our orders are to hold ourselves in readiness to march at a moment’s warning. We are allowed to take with us only one blanket, one change of clothes, and a small shelter tent which we have to carry in our knapsack. But 4 wagons is allowed to go with the regiment and they go for the purpose of hauling our rations.

Where we are going to, we know not. I think, however, it is to Richmond and probably by the way of Manassas. If that be the rout of the 19th, we will have to encounter their fortifications. Be that as it may, if that duty devolves upon us, we are ready and willing to do it. If we attack their fortifications, the conflict will be desperate. But let us not give ourselves trouble by painting dark pictures in the future. Our camp equipage will be left at Fort Craig.

I received a good, sweet letter from Jennie and Kate Campbell this evening. They said they had sent their miniatures to Mary. They also said they had not heard whether she had received them or not. Perhaps she had better write to the soon if she has not already written to them. You said she had got them. Which is the best looking? and which must I correspond with? They both write very interesting letters. You wished to know if I or James have any objections to your prefixing Martha to your name. I have none whatever and James says the same.

I have a miniature here which I will send in this letter. I want you to give it to George got I believe he has none of mine. Tell him I have never received an answer to the last letter I wrote him.

The weather is quite cold tonight and if it continues so our march will be quite disagreeable. I think we will leave here about Monday or Tuesday. My impression is that we are going right to Manassas. I have no further news to write at present. Give my love to all inquiring friends, reserving a portion yourself. Your affectionate brother, — Will. H. Campbell