The following letter was written by Jesse Smith of Co. B, 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI) who enlisted for three years in September 1861 but who died of dysentery at Nashville on 12 July 1863. He was buried in the Nashville National Cemetery in Grave E 763.

I can’t be absolutely certain but I believe Jesse was the 16 year-old son of Harvey B. Smith (1805-1873) and Paulina A. Brooks (1813-1854) of Bristol, Trumbull county, Ohio.

To read letters by other members of the 19th OVI I have transcribed and published on Spared & Shared, see:

Henry Raubenstine, Co. A, 19th Ohio (1 Letter)
Marcellus Ovando Messer, Co. C, 19th Ohio (2 Letters)
Jacob Ruch, Co. F, 19th Ohio (1 Letter)
Henry Clay Elson, Co. H, 19th Ohio (1 Letter)

Transcription

Camp Andrew Jackson
Nashville, Tennessee
March 15th 1862

Sir,

I embrace the present as a favorable opportunity of informing you that I am well and hope you are too. We have crossed the river and are about 8 miles south of town, close to Gen. Jackson’s Hermitage. We have had a skirmish here since we came here. About one hundred of the Texas Rangers came in on a by road and took 80 wagons and teamsters. Immediately some 90 of us followed them double quick and recaptured the wagons and took about 30 prisoners with a Colonel, all cavalry. There is about one hundred and 70 thousand this side of the Cumberland. There is between thirty and forty thousand guerrillas close here in the swamps. We are going to clean them out as soon as the rain permits.

We are going to get paid tomorrow. I would have liked very well to sent about $50 home but I cannot now for I had to go in debt for some things that I couldn’t do without and had to pay ten prices for it because I had no money. I went barefooted for about two weeks waiting on you to send me some money but it did not come so I had to give $8.50 for a pair of shoes and everything else in proportion, all on account of the meanness of our quartermaster. He cheats us out of half of our rations and puts the money in his pocket. But we will soon be away from him. I have a notion to go as a regular in the navy.

I saw one man pay 75 cents for one onion and everything else is as high here. A man can get a pretty good pair of stoga boots for $20 and $25. I think secessionism is about played out. They have no place now to go to. But I must stop. I received a letter from Samantha, William, and answered it. Write soon and direct to camp Andrew Jackson, Nashville, Tennessee, Co. B, 19th Regt. Ohio Vols., USA, care of Col. [Samuel] Beatty

What house in town did Hannah move into? What did Davy Culbertson die with. When did you hear from Henry and what is his address? What kind of weather is it there? Tis very warm here. The peach trees are all in blossom here. No more. Write soon. My respects to all. — Jesse Smith