The following letter was written by a soldier named “Charley” who I believe served in the 18th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This regiment was formed in September 1861 and was brigaded with the 19th and 24th Illinois and 37th Indiana Regiments in Turchin’s Brigade, Mitchell’s (Third) Division of the Army of the Ohio. The letter was sent to Daniel Beard of Ross county, from which many members of the 18th Ohio enlisted, particularly those in Co. A. Searching the roster for soldiers named “Charles” in the 18th OVI, I was able to find only one who initially served in Co. A, but was later transferred to Co. I (as stated in his letter). His name was Charles Leaverton. According to the 1863 Draft Registration Records, Charles was born in Maryland and he was 24 years old in 1863.

Searching Spared & Shared archives, I discovered that I had transcribed one of Charley’s letters ten years ago. See—1862: Charles Leaverton to Daniel M. Beard.

Charles wrote the letter to his friend, Daniel M. Beard (1838-1907) of Ross County, Ohio. Daniel was the son of William Beard (18xx-1868) and Amanda Rodgers (1806-1887). He married Arvilla Jane Augustus (1844-1926), the daughter of Springer and Lucretia Jane (Jenkins) Augustus in 1863.

Transcription

Friend Daniel,

The above verso Daniel is my heart toward you and your patriotic family. I think I know your zeal. I think I can comprehend yours and your noble Sire’s and mother & sister’s motives. You think they are good. I acknowledge they are. I acknowledge were it not for a deeper consciousness, I could adopt your principles and think myself happy. But Daniel, I must be a Christian. I must learn a more humble, though I better, far better know that I would be better than other people simply to be better. But that I must endeavor to obey God and have a hope understanding for the better world.

The experimental lessons of obedience of first dissolving and suffering is a very deal out to me as anyone else.” But I unfortunately have been subject of such experience all my life. I hope I may yet learn. I hope I may finally conclude and submit. I have now come to the end of another lesson. When I enlisted, you know how I did it. You know how I was conscious I were risking all. I tried to be a soldier as others and made a tolerable soldier until the 1st of last June when I were transferred to Company I. Since then we were dissolved as a Division under Mitchell and brigade under Turchin. Under this dishonorable calamity, and some other things, I were led to review things. We were doomed to guard railroads. I thought with my companion that the game was up with us. I had and I was led on until I began to moralize things. Then I began to be myself again. I became unhappy and gradually lost my ambition to soldiering. Now I am no more a soldier, I do not know what I shall do but I know what is my duty. I must return to where I started. I purposely & willingly took upon me an oath to do an evil. I must now as an imperative duty cast that oath off, even at hte expense of my life perhaps. It will cost all of this. But I am fast making up my mind to do it. You may see me some day for a few hours and you may hear of me being taken up as a deserter and shot.

You know something of the condition of my feelings when I left. Daniel, I loved your family. I loved you. You know I did love my country, my government, and the American people. But I must do what will secure for me a better home—what will make me fit for a better government. Had it not been for one member of your family, I would likely been with you yet or at least out of the service. But David, I despised redeemer in my heart and could not bear to be called on. I know you know yourself from what I have written you in different letters since I am a soldier how I went in persecution against the secessionists. I even showed them as hard I dare not shoot. But now I am done. I must take it all back. You understand my principle. I told you often I am now more htan ever of those same principles. I think I will see you some day a short time and I will tell you more than I can now though I do not think I can live a soldier much longer. Look out for me, humbly [?] good friend, – Charley