These letters were written by Philander (“Phil”) Boyd McQuiston (1830-1915), the son of William M. McQuiston (1797-1878) and Nancy Boyd (1803-1886) of Preble county, Ohio.

Philander served in Co. D, 47th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI), from 16 July 1861 until 20 August 1864. After the war he returned to Preble county where he resumed farming and never married.

Letter 1

Camp Gauley Mount.
December 23, 1862

Cousin Sallie,

I now take my pencil in hand to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present, hoping these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing and also to let you know that I have been sick for nearly two weeks. This will account for your letter remaining so long unanswered.

I am very punctual in answering letters; generally answer the same or the next day. But owing to the inferior state of my health for some time past, I am somewhat behind at present. I suppose [Samuel L.] Hockersmith (or Punchy as he is called here) answered yours some time ago.

We have travelled over the greater part of the sacred soil contained in the Kanawha Valley since we wrote to you. We were then at the head of the Kanawha. Soon after we moved to camp Piatt more than half way down. it to go into winter quarters as we supposed. We commenced fixing up immediately after. After remaining there about 24 hours, we crossed the river to go into winter quarters again, We were very sure of staying there and commenced making extensive preparations. we stayed there nearly a week and then got orders to move back to Gauly Mount where we are now and I think will remain until we go away unless something happens that we don’t know of now.

It is a great place for pies in the neighborhood of Camp Piatt. I made several trips unto the country after them, I suppose you have often heard of the kind the boys got here last winter. These were just the reverse. The greatest objection was they were made according to the strictest rules of economy. One afternoon two of us were coming into camp each with an armful. We met Gen. [Jacob Dolson] Cox and staff. He touched his hat very gracefully to us and looked as though he thought provisions were scarce in camp. Since then I have been thinking some of an appointment as Commissary General of this Department for if he judged from the load which I was carrying he would certainly think that I was abundantly qualified for this office.

Our mess has been putting up a kitchen today. It is a log tenement of quite an ancient style of architecture but I expect we think as much of it as any person ever did of a fine house.

Gen. [George] Crook is expected here this week to inspect the regiment and if it is well enough drilled, furloughs are to be given.

One of the boxes sent in Pierson’s care arrived yesterday. None that were sent by the “Aid Society” have arrived yet. He left more than a week ago to hunt for them and has not been heard from since. Give my best wishes to all the friends—girls in particular. Write soon. Goodbye. Your cousin, — Mc

P. S. Mr. A[ugustus S. Troth ¹ is well.

¹ Augustus S. Troth served initially in Co. D, 47th Ohio Infantry. He was transferred to the US Signal Corps on 7 September 1863.

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Letter 2

Camp Sherman
August 7th 1863

Cousin Sallie,

It is a long time since I heard from you—nearly six months now I believe, and as I feel like conversing with some of my old friends this afternoon, I will scribble a few lines to you expecting to receive better than I send. But firstly I believe I ought to scold some for your not writing to me while I was sick and not able to write. But I guess I will let it pass this time hoping that if I am so unfortunate as to get sick again, you will perform your duty in respect to writing more faithfully.

Well, I suppose you have heard how we took Vicksburg and ran Johnston out of Jackson and cleared the country generally of rebels. As I was not with the regiment while these deeds were being performed, I will not go into detail concerning them but will confine myself to personal matters.

When the regiment started for the rear of Vicksburg, those of us that were not able to go were left in what was called a convalescent camp. Previous to this, I thought a convalescent camp was one in which sick persons received good medical treatment, suitable food, and in short, were treated as sick should be. But I soon found as I had often heard that this was all a mistake for more than a week after we were sent there, no doctor could be found anywhere in camp. One of our company, Joseph [H.] Arthurs died, I believe, just for the want of medical treatment. After a while an excuse of a doctor came, but I would be slow in saying that he did any good.

We were in this camp when the rebs came so near capturing us at the time they attacked our troops at Milliken’s Bend. I expect there was as much excitement and fun in our camp then as there was in Morning Sun and vicinity when Morgan passed through Ohio. It had been reported for several days that we would be attacked and the maimed and all that were able to hold a gun were frequently called into line. This had ben repeated so often that we had no faith in the reports. But one morning about ten o’clock, a force numbering about 1500 made their appearance about two miles from and in plain view of the camp. Then there was hurrying to and fro—And gathering knapsacks—And trembling in their shoes—Those who but an hour before—Had put their dinner on. But they didn’t come any nearer and after cooking their dinner and supper and resting until eleven o’clock at night, they quietly took their departure.

During the excitement, your humble servant according to orders took refuge behind the levee, but not liking the position, returned to camp where I had things all my own way until the next morning when my companions in arms being convinced that there was no danger, one by one came slowly dropping in.

Soon after this we were sent up the Yazoo to the landing at the mouth of Chickasaw Bayou. The Yazoo is a beautiful river and judging from its appearance, I think no one would give it the name that it bears. There is splendid scenery along its banks. The trees grow close to the water’s edge and the branches hang out over the water. It is such a stream as artists usually have in their pictures. But it is the greatest place for mosquitoes ever was. I won’t undertake to say anything about them for I couldn’t do them justice.

Soon after the surrender of Vicksburg, we were ordered there and of all the miserable places I ever saw, that is the miserablest I took the ague the day we went and had it more or less all the time we stayed. There was fifteen of our squad [and] everyone had it. The city is so miserably filthy. I think it is the principal cause of its unhealthiness. This camp reminds me more of Ohio that any place I have seen in the South yet. The timber is nearly the same as that of Preble county.

Col’s [Augustus C.] Parry, [John] Wallace, Capt. [Joseph E.] Pinkerton and four or five other captains and lieutenants started home on furlough today. Col. Wallace is to report at Camp Dennison to bring out some drafted men. I suppose I am staying in Col. Wallace’s tent while he is gone. I have everything my own way. All of Co. D are well They stood the march to Jackson remarkably well. [Samuel L.] Hockersmith is fattening up again. He was not very well during the siege.

Mr. [Augustus] Troth is in the signal corps now. They are quartered in Vicksburg now. I don’t want to make you uneasy but if he can stay there without getting sick, he will do more than anyone I know of yet. But my sheet is nearly full so that I have scarcely room to say that hoping to hear from you soon, I remain as ever your cousin, Mc