The following letters were written by David Harrison Thomas (1838-1863), the son of Welsh emigrants Owen Thomas (1800-1868) and Mary Thomas (1813-1893) of Radnor, Delaware county, Ohio. David enlisted on 2 October 1861 to serve three years in Co. D, 20th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was reorganized at Columbus, Ohio, from August 19 through September 21, 1861, and mustered in for three years service on October 21, 1861, under the command of Colonel Charles Whittlesey.

According to a “Graves Registration Card,” David died of wounds received 25 May 1863 at Vicksburg—a gunshot wound to the spine. He was mustered out of the regiment on the day he died, 10 June 1863, and his body lies buried at the National Cemetery in Vicksburg.

Letter 1

October 13, [1861]

Dear Father,

I will pen a few lines to you hoping that you are all well. I am well and all of the boys. Henry Wood and Mother was here yesterday to see us. They went back to Columbus. Mother was on her way to Charleston.

We don’t know when we will leave here. We drill about 4 to 6 hours a day. There is about 225 secessionist prisoners here. They came here ragged and dirty.

Tell Joseph to be contented at home. There is more there than he can do. Give my best word to all of the friends.

No more at present. — David Harrison Thomas

Direct letter to 20th Regiment OVM in care of Capt. [Charles H.] McElroy [Co. D]

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Letter 2

Camp King, Kentucky
November the 1st 1862

Dear Father and Mother and All,

I take the pleasure of writing a few lines to you to let you know that I am well and hoping that these few lines will find you the same. I am well and all of the boys. We have been here in Camp King, Kentucky, over a week. There is batteries planted all around the camp. There is about 800 hundred here. It is very hilly around here. Our company was on picket guard last night. We did not come across any secessionists. [Charles] Whittlesey is our Colonel. [Manning Ferguson] Force is our Lieutenant-Colonel. They are brave men.

The measles is breaking out in our camp. There is a good many sick. I have gained 12 pounds since I have been in camp. Price Peny is very hearty and the rest of the boys. I got a letter from Granville last week. Joseph and the family is well. We have plenty to eat here so far. We do not know where we will go next. Perhaps we will go to the Tennessee line near Cumberland Gap, Kentucky. We don’t know when we will start until we swing knapsack.

We drill about 6 hours a day here. I would like to hear whether Mother arrived safe or not. No more at present. Write soon. — David Harrison Thomas

Direct to Camp King, Ky., 20th [Ohio] Regiment, Co. D, in care of Capt. [Charles H.] McElroy