This letter was written by Smith Goodin (1819-1896), the son of Asa Goodin (1788-1857) and Margaret Sellars (1792-1870) of Perry county, Ohio. Asa was married to Sarah Salisbury (1817-1853) and after her death in 1853 he remarried with Sarah Maria Connett (1823-1901). The family was living in Wells county, Indiana, in July 1863. Smith was a Baptist minister and volunteered to serve as the chaplain of the 153rd Indiana Infantry when it was organized at Indianapolis, Indiana, in March 1865. The regiment was mustered out of the service on 4 September 1865 at Louisville, Kentucky. Goodin later served as the Superintendent of the Wells county public schools. Three of Goodin’s daughter are mentioned in the letter—Rebecca (“Beck”), Jennie, and Lydia (“Lyd”).

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[Taylor Barracks]
Louisville, Kentucky
Aug 2nd 1865

Dear Sarah and Douglas,

I received Jennie’s letter of the 30 ult. today. Glad you remain well. I have been having one of the hardest colds I ever had in my life, but I am some better. I feared very much that I would be unable for duty but I have still kept up. Last night I was at prayer meeting but I could take no part except to say a few words in a very low tone. A Brother Meech, Hospital Chaplain from Bowling Green, preached for me last Sunday. A week ago last Sunday, a Hospital Chaplain from Cincinnati preached for me by the name of [William F.] Nelson. These men are both Baptists.

I have spent 7 Sundays in Taylor Barracks and I have not had to preach but three times, and yet we had preaching every Sabbath. We have but 5 companies in camp here now. Co. A is in Barracks no. one and is on duty in the city. Cos. F, D, I, & C have been ordered down the Ohio River. Co. I is at Brandenburg some 40 miles below here, and the other 3 companies are at Owensboro, about 140 miles below here. There is to be an important election in this State next Monday and our boys have gone down there to guard the polls. I understand the Governor of this State has issued a proclamation prohibiting all persons from voting who have aided the rebellion in any way.

My duties are increasing in addition to all I have heretofore done. I will now have to teach the colored people in the barracks. There is probably not less than 40 of them in all, but I will get extra pay. There has been an appropriation of 50 dollars for the purpose of buying some books and paying me for my labor. This is one of the warmest days we have had in a long time.

I got another quilt given to me—better than the first. I have bought two blankets [and] I can now sleep comfortably. There was a while after I came here I could not. I send Lyd and Beck each another book, “The Captain and his Orderly.” The other girls will get some before long. Pray that I may do my whole duty. Your affectionate husband, — Smith Goodin

Do the best you can with everything. Don’t be uneasy about me. I must close. Write often and tell me everything of interest. Excuse all imperfections as I have written in a great hurry. Beck asked in a letter some time ago how Mr. Smith was. I would just say he died more than a month ago. I had a letter from his wife a few days ago. She talks of going to Illinois this fall. — S. Goodin