The following letter was written by Wilbur B. Case (1831-1912) of Milan, Dutchess county, New York. Wilbur was married to Mary Elizabeth Allendorf (1835-1911) in 1860 and the couple had their first child Herman Husted Case in 1866. As required, Wilbur enrolled for the draft in 1863, identifying himself as a 30 year-old farmer, but he was apparently never drafted or, if he was, paid for a substitute to go in his place.

In the 1860 US Census record, John Killmer (b. 1803) was enumerated at a residence next door to Wilbur Case. I did not find him in the 156th New York Infantry so I can’t be certain whom Case is referring to in his note.

Though not named, Case wrote the note to Major Matthias S. Euen of the 156th New York Volunteers. The $400 was undoubtedly a bounty payment for a recruit that had just joined the regiment but the recruit is also not named. We only know that he was a “fatherless boy” who resided with the Case family for a few years before he enlisted in 1865. Most likely Major Euen retained the receipt as proof that he had delivered the bounty to the recruit’s guardian.

Transcription

Lafayetteville [Dutchess county, New York]
March 17th 1865

Sir,

With pleasure I acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 11th and must say that I am obliged to you for your punctuality and kindness in preserving the check which is worth the face of it to a fatherless boy who has gone to the field to take up arms in defense of our National flag and hope he may live to enjoy the above sum in time to come. He has been with me for several years and I have a interest in his welfare. If he is in your command, please inform him that it’s all right now. His money is safe. If you see Killmer, tell him I would like to have his address. He can get some friend to send it to me [if] he can’t write himself. Again, I thank you for your kindness and sign myself your friend and well wisher, — Wilbur Case

[docketed on reverse, “Acknowledges the receipt of the $400 check and returns thanks.”]