These letters were written by Julius Shelley (1840-1923), the son of Andrew J. Shelley (1811-1897) and Louisa Way (1818-1899) of Moscow, Clermont county, Ohio. Julius first enlisted in Co. D, 2nd Ohio Infantry on 19 August 1861 and served three years, mustering out on 10 October 1864. He then enlisted again as a private in Co. A, 13th Ohio Cavalry.
Letter 1
October 14, 1861
Dear Sister,
I have for the first time since I received your letter seated myself to answer it for the want of an opportunity to do it sooner. Since I received your letter at Camp King, I have not had time to answer your letter. The regiment left there immediately after I got it and has been moving nearly every day since but I have now time to answer it briefly and to make a summary review of our march to our present destination. We left Camp King on Sunday evening October 6th and landed at Paris about 12 o’clock that night and camped on a fair ground close by. The next day on the morning of the 7th, we were formed in line and started on our march as there was no other way of conveyance. As we marched through Paris, we were greeted with hearty cheers and the Stars and Stripes were displayed in different parts of the town but the rebid secessionists turned up their noses and looked sour but did not dare to say anything. We traveled until night when we stopped at a place called Middletown and camped in a meadow close by.
The next morning we again took up out march and traveled on. At noon we were marched up to a man’s house where he had prepared dinner for the whole regiment but on account of sickness, I was not able to eat anything that day, After dinner we again started and night brought us up as far as Mt. Sterling where we remained during the night. The next morning we started and at night the regiment arrived at Mud Lick Springs where all of it is now camped but two companies. Capt. Smith’s and Capt. Maxwell’s companies are now in the mountains defending a pass to keep the Rebels from conveying troops from Virginia to Kentucky. The Rebels are threatening us all the time but have done nothing. We were called up three times last night by the guard who thought the Rebels were close by but nothing of serious importance has occurred yet.
Fifteen of our company went out this morning and brought in three prisoners, One man out of four escaped after being fired at four times. I think we will march soon again. If you want any more letters, you will have to send me some postage stamps. They can not be bought here.
Letter 2
Monday, October 21st 1861
Dear Sister,
I received your letter yesterday evening and was truly glad to hear from home. I sent you a note in answer to your letter which I received while I was at Camp King. The regiment has left the camp at the springs and is now camped fifteen miles farther up in the mountains in the woods at a road where the Rebels have to pass through to Breckinridge’s army. They have threatened to attack us but have not done it yet. I heard yesterday evening that the 1st Ohio Regiment would join us in a day or two with a battery of artillery. We would be glad to see them come. Our regiment left Olympian Springs yesterday morning and marched to the place where we are now camped. I do not know how long we will stay here.
We have taken about twenty prisoners in this neighborhood. Capt. Smith’s company has taken nearly all of them. One man when seeing a squad of men from our company took leg bail but while he was running, one of the boys fired at him and broke his arm. Four other shots were discharged but none took effect. Two men that were with him were taken prisoners and brought into camp. A spy from Breckinridge’s army was taken prisoner. The secessionists are all badly scared. Where we are camped now there are both bears and deers. Two bears were seen yesterday morning and one the morning before close to the camp. I guess they are not quite so numerous as the rebels.
I received a letter from Edwin Myers the evening we got to the Springs. He said that he had enlisted in a cavalry company. A few days before we left Camp King, Capt. Smith’s wife made a present to the whole company of a work book like the one you made me—only much nicer. It is now raining and all the boys have come in the tent except Thede. He is standing guard in the rain. When you write again, tell me where Framber’s Company is and where it is going to. I was very glad to get the postage stamps which you sent. I have neither paper nor envelopes is one reason why I did not write oftener.
P. S. I heard a few minutes ago that a bear came inside of the guard lines last night and two lieutenants followed it out. There is a cave here which they inhabit. The boys are all well. — Julius Shelley
Letter 3
Camp Jefferson
December 28th, 1861
Dear Father,
I received your letter yesterday evening and was truly glad to hear from you. I am well at present and hope these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. I spoke of my cold in my last letter. I had a very bad cold for two weeks but it is getting better. I never had better health in my life than I have at present.
Since I wrote the other letter to you, our regiment has made another move. Our regiment is within 9 miles of Green river. The whole of our force is between our regiment and Green river waiting until the bridge over the river is finished. None of our force has crossed the river except the pickets. Two regiments is kept over the river all the time in line of battle. As soon as the bridge is finished, I suppose our whole force will cross the river. Our regiment is camped close to the railroad and one mile from a regular station.
Our regiment was paid off last week. Ted Hughes and Marcus Brown and me expressed our money home all in one envelope. I sent 20 dollars. It was expressed to Cincinnati and then to be delivered to Capt. Lew Morris to take to Moscow. We was only paid for two months. The officers say we will be paid off again in a short time. If we are, I will send it home. Let me know in your next letter whether it went safe or not. If it did, take it and use it, and if I ever get home to need it, I can get it then. Marcus Brown sent his money home and I don’t suppose there will be any chance to get what he owes you now.
We heard here that some of Buckner’s men had raised the black flag. I think when we meet them, they will be glad to haul it down.
I will send in this letter the two dollars which you sent me and a dollar to buy postage stamps with. Get me a dollar’s worth and send them at your earliest convenience as I am entirely out. I must bring my letter to a close. Write and direct your letter to Camp Jefferson, Kentucky, 2nd Ohio Regiment, in care of Capt. [William A.] Smith. — Julius Shelley
P. S. There is skirmishing everyday between us our pickets and the Rebels. Camp Jefferson, Hart Co., Ky.
Spared & Shared 23 