The following letter was written by Edwin Wight (1844-1863), the son of Benjamin Wight (1813-1891) and Jerusha Lyons (1815-1899) of Centerville, Allegany county, New York.

When 18 years old, Edwin enlisted in Co. F, 19th New York Cavalry. He was mustered into the service on 3 September 1862 for three years. However, he was killed at Manassas Junction on 17 October 1863.

According to muster rolls, Edwin stood 5′ 9.5″ tall, had brown eyes, and black hair. He was paid a bounty of $50 for his enlistment by the town of Centerville. His remains were initially buried at Manassas Junction but were later removed to Arlington Cemetery, Site 8499.

Edwin had an older brother named Daniel Wight (1841-1864) who also gave his life during the war. He served in Co. F, 5th New York Cavalry. He was taken a prisoner-of-war at Reams Station on 29 June 1864 and died while in captivity at Columbia, South Carolina.

Transcription

Camp Thorp near Suffolk, Va.
October 22nd 1862

Dear father,

I now take the opportunity to answer your letter which came duly to hand bearing October 7th stating that you were all well at home and I am happy to say iyt found me the same and the most of the rest of the boys from our parts. The exceptions are Jud[son] Stickle. He is sick and pretty sick too, and in the hospital. And Rob[ert] Valance is just sick enough to be unfit for duty and Dar[win] Ellis is the same and Joe Butterfield is quite sick but has not gone to the hospital yet. I have been in the hospital about a week a taking care of the boys and I found I could not stand it and so I left and I am in the ranks again.

Well, pa, everything is excitement in camp now-a-days. The boys are all talking about going to New York again for it is said that the United States muster roll is lost and that there is nothing to show or hold us in the United States service and the Colonel says that he has been requested to make out a new muster roll with the present pay roll but he says that he will not do it and so the Colonel is on our side and I don’t know how it will turn out yet. But I guess it will turn out about the same as the boys regiment did a disbanding but now I think of it.

I received your letter last night containing the money and post office stamps all right and glad I was to get it. Well, pa, Harvey and John have sent home for a box of provisions but Harvey has written home tonight to have them hold on and not forward it until they hear from him again and if they do, send something for me such as cheese and dried fruit. And you can send some butter by putting it into a stone jar or a tin can and fasten it as tight as you can. And I wish you would send some maple sugar and also, if you can get them, I would like a pair of good buckskin gloves with long wrists and a pair or two of socks and such small trash as you are a mind to. I only just speak of these things as being the principal things that I want and so I guess I will close this scrawl for the tattoo has beaten and we shall have to blow out the light pretty soon.

P. S. We had a grand brigade review today. About 16 regiments being present. General Peck being present. Nothing more at present.

So goodbye at present. Write soon as convenient. — E. Wight

Yours with respect.