These letters were written by Daniel Markham (1837-1910), the son of Uriah Markham (1803-1848) and Elizabeth Adams (1803-18xx) of Brown county, Ohio. Daniel and his brother, Archibald (“Archie”) H. Markham (1835-1911), both served in Co. H, 2nd Illinois Cavalry.

Daniel wrote all of these letters to his cousin, Sarah Annette Markham (b. 1840), the daughter of Horace Marcum (b. 1791) of Knox county, Illinois.

Transcription

Hickman , Kentucky
June 6, 1862

Highly Esteemed Friend,

I received your letter today and was truly glad to hear from you and [you have] my word for it, all letters received from you will be read by me with pleasure. My health is very good here and the boys are all in good spirits, anxious to engage the enemy in the battlefield. We are under marching orders at present. I have not been able to learn where we will go to yet. We will go out in Tennessee I expect. I was very sorry to hear of the death of George Chappel. But such is the fortune of many.

I have nothing of interest to write. Hickman is a very pleasant place to camp at. There is a great deal of fruit in this country. The peaches are as large as walnuts and very plenty. The people are mostly tinctured with seceshism. I am sorry to say that some of the citizens have left their homes to bushwhack our soldiers. One of our men went out in the country to hunt a stolen horse. When he had gone some six miles from town, he was shot dead by a man in the brush. But they have gained nothing for we got several heads for the one.

Tomorrow is Sunday and I must go to church. Johnson has not been well since he came back. He is better now than he has been for some time. I have told you all the news. I would like to come home and see you all but that is impossible as long as I am well. Write often and give me all the news. Farewell, — D. Markham