The following letter was written by Gilbert (“Gib”) Keene (1841-1888), the son of Joseph Keene (1815-1894) and Hannah Gray (1824-1899) of Rockland, Sullivan county, New York. Gilbert’s military records informs us that he enlisted on 15 August 1862 as a private in Co. A, 143rd New York Infantry. He served nearly three years, mustering out on 6 July 1865. Following his discharge he married Emma L. Rose (1844-1922) and the couple had at least five children before his death in 1888.

The 143rd New York served in the Eastern Theater of the Civil War until the fall of 1863 when they were transported to the Western Theater to serve in the Army of the Cumberland. They participated on Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign and the March to the Sea but Gilbert was apparently on detached duty at Moccasin Point, Tennessee, serving on the cracker line in the quartermaster’s office.

Gibert wrote the letter to Sophie Adorah Wheeler (1847-1887), the daughter of Leroy Moore Wheeler (1806-1880) and Martha Reed (1817-1887) of Rockland.

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Moccasin Point [Tennessee]
October 9th [1864]

Esteemed Friend,

Finding myself unemployed this morning & thinking that I will have to write again if I ever get a letter from you, I seat myself to write or at least to try the second time. There was a paper came to hand yesterday which I am very much (I am) indebted to you for. It brought me the news of the town with the Union State Ticket, & with all of the rest it said don’t vote for Little Mac which you may be sure I will not (no, not I). Old Abe is the man for me with the Governor of this State [Andy Johnson] to assist him. But by the way, I think I had better let politics go as I have a good mens questing [?] (as the Rev. Mr. Davies says) to ask & to compliment you on minding me so good when you hung out your sign for Lott. Oh, I can hear from you if you won’t write yourself, but Gib is not as well now as he was when he wrote before although he is better than he has been. I am sure he should not grumble much for he does just as he has a mind but coming home, & if he had his Descriptive Roll, you would see him. But perhaps you do not know who Gib is so I will have to tell you. He is my best friend & with all the rest, he has a way of resting the lamb.

Said I to him one day, “Gib, do you think Miss W. intends to send her photograph in return for yours?” Said I, “How should I know. I am sure I should dun her if it was me.” Said He, “I will do it if I live.” But by the by, you will see a Chattanooga paper up there which I think you should like to have—not for the news but for the keepsake that will be in it. And I think there will be some flower seed in it called Prince’s Feather. They are very nice. I do not know as I ever saw any up there though they may be.

People is having fine luck up there getting married I hear but I do not know as they can go ahead of folks here. There is no end to the weddings here. The Tennessee girls is mighty fond of the Yankees (as they say). But I must tell you of the dance I was at the other evening that beat me where an old woman one hundred and eleven years old beat them all. What do you think of that? But Soph, Oh, I meant Miss Wheeler, I think it is time I closed for fear I will not get an answer to this. You will please write as soon as received. Give my regards to Lott & Mrs. Choeran, your Father & Mother my best wishes, & as for Soph, tell her I remain — G. Keene

Direct to Gilbert Keene, Chattanooga, Tenn. In care of Capt. Kirk, A. Q. M.