The following letter was written by 30 year-old John Thompson (1833-1916) of North Colebrook, Ashtabula county, Ohio. He wrote the letter to his wife, Harriet (Knowles) Thompson, while servicing in Co. I, 105th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). He served from August 1862 until June 1865. Frequently mentioned in his letter is his young first-born son, Elmer Adelbert Thompson, born in April 1862.

John’s letter was datelined from the Union entrenchments at Chattanooga in the days following the setback at Chickamauga. He informs his wife that, “if it was not for the officers, this war would soon be over. The Rebel privates is tired enough of the war.” He speaks of the exchange of newspapers between pickets—apparently acceptable between enlisted men but as soon as a lieutenant tried it, he was nabbed. He mentions the accidental death of a soldier who threw a shell into a fire, a rumor of fighting between Longstreet’s and Bragg’s men over disagreements in command, and of his longing for home. He also encourages her to write. “I want you should let me know all the particulars about everything you can think of and some more.”

This letter is from the personal collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published by Spared & Shared by express consent.

Transcription

Chattanooga, Tennessee
October 11, 1863

Dear Companion,

I thought I would spend a few moments in writing to let you know that I am well and enjoy myself well considering everything—not as well as I would if I was to home, and I hope these few lines will find you well and Elmer [too].

I have been on inspection and ate my dinner. You would like to know what we had for dinner? We had beans and hard tack and coffee and now I am sitting on my bunk with my bunk mates on each side of me. One of them is [ ]. Ball and N[ewton] Knolton. We have still times gear today as for cannonading.

There was one man killed and one or two wounded this morning. They was playing with a shell and the shell bursted. They supposed that they had got the powder out of the shell and then threw it in the fire and throwing it in the fire bursted.

Our boys in my [company] is well and enjoying themselves well. We have been pretty busy since we came here in fortifying our camp. Our regiment was on picket yesterday and day before we lost one man—or the 15th Wisconsin Regiment lost one. The boys have been in the habit of exchanging newspapers with the rebs. One of the lieutenants ¹ thought he would try it and he went over to the Rebs’ lines and they took him in and kept him. The Rebs and our lines is from 40 to 50 rods (250 yards) apart. We can talk with each other. The Rebs as a general thing is very talkative. If it was not for the officers, this war would soon be over. The Rebel privates is tired enough of the war.

I see Dr. L. Chapel yesterday. I did not have much time to visit with him. He told me that I must call on him if I got wounded. I see John Carmichael yesterday. He is fat as a bear. I have seen a number of the Quincy boys since we came here to hold the right or left wing. We hold the center now. We are getting good news occasionally. It is a flying report that Longstreet’s men and Bragg’s men have had a fight between themselves and killed quite a number and wounded a good many. I don’t know how true it may be. If we have a battle here with them and whip them, I think it will be the last big battle that we will have.

Harriet, I wish you would see Elder Washburn the first chance you have and have him see to my place and crops if he will. Tell him that I will pay him for his trouble. If there is any crops on the place, I want he should divide them. I hain’t heard anything from Thomas yet and shan’t until it is too late to do anything about them.

Harriet, do the best you can for me and yourself and when I get home, I will tend to such things myself. If you can sell my harnesses, you may do so for the money or some good man’s note. I would rather have the two-thirds of what they are worth than have them laying around at loose ends. If I could get home only for one week, I could see to such things myself but I can’t at present at any rate, and if the war should close by spring, I would rather stay than get a furlough if the Elder should see to my place.

I should like to have the grass get a good start in the meadow and then you can keep the colt in the meadow this winter. I want you should let me know whether Lonny is a going to keep the cows this winter or not. I want you should let me know all the particulars about everything you can think of and some more.

Harriet, keep the things as straight as you can and as snug for it is for your interest and Elmer’s so that I never should return, you will have what little we have. You and Elmer can have it for your own. Keep up good courage and good spirits. I know how lonesome you feel—if you feel as I do—but I hope that my life will be spared and return home to my little family once more to enjoy ourselves once more. I think that time is not far off. Our army has had good luck this season. That you can see for yourself.

I hain’t had any letter from you for some time. Harriet you must excuse my scribbling for I wrote in a hurry and am knocked on one side and then on the other. Harriet, if there is anyone that you would rather see to our place, you can get them. This is from your most beloved husband, — J Thompson

to H. E. A. Thompson

I want a pair of gloves and two pairs of socks. You can send me a pair of gloves in a newspaper and socks in the same way, one at a time. Goodbye.

I have had a letter from K. Thompson. He is well. He has been in a hard battle.

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¹ The lieutenant was Andrew Clement of Co. K, 15th Wisconsin Infantry. He enlisted in October 1861 at Waupon when he was 22. He was appointed to the rank of sergeant. He was reduced in ranks to Musician in May 1862 and then in October was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant and transferred to Co. K, In October 1863, he was “taken prisoner” while on picket duty near Chattanooga and was paroled and returned to service in December. He was sent home on leave where he died of chronic diarrhea in September 1864.