The following letter comes from the Widow’s Pension file at the National Archives. It was written by George Washington Snodgrass (1832-1868), a private in Capt. Hamilton F. Middleswarts’ Co. F, 92nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. George served from 6 August 1862 and was discharged on 10 June 1865. He was born in Washington county, Ohio, and was 30 years old when he enlisted, according to his discharge papers. His papers also inform us that he stood 5 feet 10 inches tall, had a fair complexion, blue eyes, and light hair. He claimed to be a farmer.

A family tree in Ancestry.com reveals that George was the son of Hiram Snodgrass (1798-1879) and Druscilla Oliver (1801-1885). He was married in April 1852 to Mary Jane Evilsizer (1836-1913) and the couple had several children when George went to war. hey include Robert (b. 1851), John (b. 1853), William (b. 1858), and Isabella (b. 1861). In 1861, the were living in Lawrence, Washington county, Ohio.

Transcription

[Camp at the Mouth of Lake Creek, Va.]
November 30th 1862

My dear wife,

I received your kind and welcome letter. I was much pleased to hear that you and the children was all well and that little Isabella could call on her Pap so nice and that John and Robert and Billy was such good children.

We are now building our winter quarters. We have to cut logs and haul them off the mountains with ropes. I put in 13 days of extra work. I get 25 cents extra per day.

You wrote that you have sold your tobacco. I want to know who you sold it to and how much you got paid down on it.

I was sorry to hear that you had had a gathering on your side and am glad that you have got well again. Tell Father Evilsizer that I want him to write to me and send me all the war news that he can rely on for we got the news here that Richmond was taken. Some believe it to be true and some say that it is a lie. We get dispatches here every day but they only come from camp and you know camp rumors is not very wholesome. But my humble opinion is that we will get home against the 1st of April if all things works as they are now.

Tell father & mother to write to me as they have a good chance. I expect to draw four months wages a Christmas or New Year’s Day.

This is one of the most God forsaken places that I have ever seen with my eyes. The mountains and rocks is so high that it takes a person about a half day to climb to the top of them. New River, about five miles above where we are now camped, has no bottom land at all. There is nothing but mountain and rocks surrounding it. Lake Creek at the mouth of which we are now encamped is nothing but rocks and mountains covered with laurel and cedar. I have come to the conclusion that if it was not for the salt works, that the rebels need not want this part of Virginia. But we expect Old [Albert Gallatin] Jenkins to pay us a visit in a few days after some salt. He has been within 8 miles from us. But if he does come, the 92nd is ready to receive him and we would be thankful to see him coming. We will give him pepper instead of salt.

You wish to know how many letters I have wrote to you. This makes 5 that I have wrote to you and I have received three from you. Write as soon as this letter comes to hand and give me all particulars. I must now conclude, wishing you and the children every blessing. I remain your affectionate and loving husband until death, — George Snodgrass