I have not yet identified the author of this letter whose signature appears to read, W. I. Smith. The content of the letter gives me no clues as to how he was related to or became a correspondent with Jacob Miller (1811-1890) and his wife Ruth (1827-1880) who received their mail at Liberty Post Office, in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where they were longtime residents.

The letter speaks of peace negotiations underway while armies remained in the field in both the Eastern and Western theaters.

Transcription

U. S. A. General Hospital
Point Lookout, Maryland
February 5, 1865

Mr. and Mrs. Miller,

There is much talk here upon the peace question. The newspapers contain little else but speculations upon peace. President Lincoln and Secretary Seward are down at Fortress Monroe where they are having an interview with the Vice President of the Rebels and one Rebel Senator and one judge. Mr. Blair has been twice to Richmond during the last month but nobody knows exactly what he went for. I hope the Rebels will come to their senses and secure peace by negotiation instead of fighting it out. If we have to fight it out, it will not take us long.

Sherman is on his war horse and in South Carolina. He is marching his army through South Carolina in three columns, spreading ruin and desolation through the state. When he entered on the present expedition, he said he should eat all he could as he passed through and appropriate all he could and the remainder he should destroy. I think it likely that he use South Carolina as hardly as possible, he looking upon them as chief traitors. I see in the paper received this morning that General Thomas will soon have 40,000 sent to march through the State of Mississippi which I think will not be a very tough job. From a source which is considered reliable, we have information that the Rebel General Taylor’s army (late Hood’s army) is disbanding as rapidly as possible, and hundreds are coming into our lines daily. A week or two ago, a few of our troops made a raid on some rebel saltworks in the State of Florida and destroyed them, capturing a few prisoners.

The pickets of both armies around Richmond have ceased all firing since the Rebel Commissioners came into our lines. When they came over to our lines, the troops on both sides yelled, cheered and shouted like mad. The breastworks were crowded with soldiers on both sides. I hope this time they will come a little nearer gaining their points. It would be rather curious if peace was to come by negotiations, before Richmond was taken, after being trying to take it for so long a time. But I would rather have peace without taking Richmond and that would save a great many lives. If nothing comes of this expedition of Stephens & Co., I shall not be very much surprised.

A number of blockade runners were brought to this point last week from Wilmington. They were mostly Englishmen—stout and hearty looking, with plenty of gold. One of them had 900 dollars in gold besides bank notes. Some prisoners were also brought here from Wilmington, captured about 12 miles from that place. They were well clad and had plenty of clothing with them. We had a whole lot come here last week—prisoners; must have been over a thousand. A great many of them were wounded, several of whom have died. We have seven wards in the circle filled with Rebels and Ward D out of the circle. We have four forts at this place and I think they have six guns each.

I have not received any word from the State Agent and I do not think I shall do anything more at present toward getting a discharge. I am very well in health and have plenty to eat. Rather incommoded for want of clothing but I shall get some of the other boys to draw me some when we draw again. Last month, I got a man to draw me a uniform coat, a pair of pantaloons, and a pair of shoes. The coat cost me $8.75, the pants $3.10, the shoes, $2.20. I went up to sign for some clothing but was told that I could not sign for any and it was too late to get anyone else to draw any for me. And I had to go and buy a pair of drawers and a shirt for four dollars. Eighteen dollars gone for clothing since I came down here. Tell Charlie to send me the balance of my money as I do not think we shall get any pay for the next months.

The Secretary of War, in reply to a resolution of the Senate, transmits a report of Assistant Adjutant General Townsend showing that we had on the first of January, 66 major generals and 267 brigadiers in the service. Making a total of 333 generals. Of these 200 brigadiers are in actual service and 45 major generals. Eight major generals and twelve brigadier generals are waiting orders. One major general and 14 brigadier generals are off duty in consequence of wounds or sickness. Two are prisoners of war, two are before the Committee on the Conduct of the War, three are on trial before court martials. The number of cannon taken at and around Fort Fisher was 162.

Yours respectfully, — W. I. Smith