The following letter was signed, “J. P. M.” (I think) and I believe it was written by Joseph Penn Marriott (1840-1863), the son of Henry Thomas Marriott (1807-1875) and Rebecca Penn (1807-1884) of Claibourne, Union county, Ohio. Joseph enlisted as a corporal in Co. B, 32nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI) and was with the regiment until his death of typhoid fever at Vicksburg, Mississippi, on 20 August 1863.

At the time that Joseph wrote this letter in mid-July 1862, the 32nd OVI was in Piatt’s Brigade, White’s Division, with provost and fatigue duty at Winchester, Va. where they were regularly abused by the women citizens whom he referred to as “she devils.”

Joseph’s parents.

Transcription

Winchester, Virginia
July 11, 1862

Friend Will,

As we have at last go so near a civilized place as to get a sheet of paper, and in a place where we can send and receive letters from the United States. I have concluded to send a short epistle to you.

We had not seen a train of cars since last September until we came here. And the first day we were here, a long train came into town.

A few days ago we were with Banks and Sigel’s army at Strasburg. They have the largest army that ever I saw when they are together. They have gone on but where to, I know not, but suppose they are bound for Richmond. For some cause or other, Gen. [Abram S.] Piatt’s Brigade composed of the 32nd, 60th Ohio, and 39th New York Regiments were sent back to this place. Don’t know whether we will remain here long or not. But the way we have been digging rifle pits and throwing up breastworks looks as though some person was destined to hold this valley. No doubt they will keep us here without reinforcements until Old Jackson will come back and run us out like he did Banks.

Our Lieut. Col. [Ebenezer H. Swinney] is Provost Marshal of Winchester and four companies of the [32nd OVI] regiment are provost guard. Our camp was there a day or two but they concluded to send us back to the country to work in the fortifications. It is not quite as pleasant working as it is living in the city but as I am very well aware, it is not pleasure that we are working for. If any rebel force ever some down to run us out of the valley, we will send a few shell from some thirty-two pounders before leaving down into the town and see what effect that will have on the she devils permitted this far to remain unmolested.

Am in a hurry and will have to close for this time. Write soon. Excuse this and write soon. From J. P. M.