The following letter was written by Elvira Cole (1805-1886), the 57 year-old unwed daughter of Alva Cole (1774-1846) and Rosemond Freeman (1787-1847) of Cattaraugus county, New York. Elvira lived for twenty-five years or so in Avon, Fulton County, Illinois. She died and was buried there in 1886.

Elvira wrote these letters to her younger sister, Ruba Eloise (Cole) Merrill (1816-1887) who later lost both her husband, Barzilla Merrill and her son, Alva Merrill, in the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863 when they were serving in Co. K, 154th New York Infantry.

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Avon, [Fulton county, Illinois]
August 14, 1862

My dear sister and brother,

My health is very good but somehow I feel dull and bad this morning. I have been out two evenings to war meetings and last night went to the depot to see the volunteers start off. Quite a number went from this place and among them the most prominent members of the church. The recruiting officer had been down the road gathering up his men to go to Chicago on the night train and be sworn in today. There were three or four cars full. This we were told is the winding up of volunteering. Next comes the draft. Rev. Richard Haney, our former presiding Elder is to be Chaplain of the regiment and his son James Haney is expected to be Captain of the company. These men go in so it is believed the moral and spiritual interests of the soldiers will be care for.

When we started to come home last night, a friend told me that he saw brother Samuel ¹ in the cars and spoke with him. He had enlisted and had not time to come to see but I think I shall see him yet before they move from Camp Douglas. Those that have left home suddenly without settling up their business have encouragement of coming home on a furlough of eight or ten days soon after being organized into companies and regiments.

I am going to send Uncle Stephen’s letter to you. He has been unfortunate again in losing his wife for I think he had a very good one. I believe he did not live with her quite two years. I suppose the Ophelia he speaks of to be a niece of his last wife but am not sure. The grandson is Melissa’s son by her first husband.

The prospects here are dubious—war so near and maybe much nearer. Guerrilla parties have done some mischief in Missouri within five hours ride from us. We have martial law throughout the State I suppose to prevent men from running away from being drafted. I don’t know what will be next but enough of this. You will think I am getting the blues but there is no such thing. When I think I am in danger of that, I get the Book and read the 91st Psalm and claim the protection there promised though I don’t know as I have a right to.

Our friends were all well when last heard from. I have not seen Samuel since January nor many of the rest of them. Peter called often during the spring and forepart of the summer but has not for the last month. I thought of filling out the sheet but I can’t see and it is almost train time so I must stop. My love to all. Goodbye, — E. Cole

Do write. I want to hear if I don’t very often. You can both see better than I.

Ebenezer Sanford’s second son was killed in the Pittsburgh [Landing] battle [Shiloh].

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¹ Samuel Dill Cole enlisted as a private in Co. I, 72nd Illinois Infantry in mid-August 1862. See 1864: Samuel Dill Cole To Ruby (Cole (Merrill.