The following letter was written by a Union soldier named “John” who undoubtedly served in Co. D, 47th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was most likely a resident of Morning Sun (or vicinity) in Preble county, Ohio. Unfortunately there are too many soldiers with that name to say with certainly who wrote it though it’s clear that he was barely literate.

John wrote the letter to his “friend” Sally McQuiston who lived in Morning Sun, Ohio.

Transcription

Camp Gauly Mount., Virginia
December 28 [1862]

Well, as I have a little time I will try and write you a few lines in answer to your letter which I received a few days ago, This is fine weather for this time of the year. The sun shines out warm and looks like spring this year has about come to a close and the war has not over yet.

I suppose that you have good times on Christmas and New Years. Well, I will tell you how that we spent Christmas. There was some Gray Backs came into camp and said that there were some secesh that had come home on furlough and our company went out to see if they could find them. We went out past Hawk’s Nest and Lover’s Leap and Mountain Cave, and came back without finding any of them and that was our Christmas.

Furloughs have been granted at last and there is seven gone home of this company. I[sreal] Brown is one of the number and I suppose that he will have a good time when he gets home.

I want you to tell me what kind of a time he has. Will Magaw ¹ has had a hard time of it since he went to the war and the poor fellow’s troubles are at an end at last.

Well, I believe that I will have to quit for this time as dinner is about ready and for the want of something to write. Excuse this uninteresting scribbling and write soon and tell all the news. Your friend, — John

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¹ William G. Magaw (1836-1862) was from Preble county, Ohio, the son of William and Rachel (Paxton) Magaw. He served in Co. A, 30th Illinois Volunteers. He died on 19 December 1862. He had a couple of brothers who served in Co. D, 47th OVI..