The following letter was written by Francis Marion Jeffrey (1832-1918) who served in Co. F, 38th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War. A biographical sketch informs us that he was the eldest of several children born to William Oliver Jeffrey and Harriet DeCamp of Fayette county, Indiana. He worked with his father at the tanning business, and on the farm until 1856, then went to carpentering, and continued at the trade until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted for three years in the 38th Illinois. The regiment became part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps. He participated with his regiment in the hard fought battles of Fredericktown, Champion Hills, Stone River, Liberty Gap, the first and second battles of Corinth, then in the Atlanta Campaign, Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, and Jonesboro, where the time of service of the regiment expired. He was wounded at the battle of Perryville, where the command was repulsed in their attempt to capture a battery. He received two wounds at Stone River. At the battle of Liberty Gap he was one of the sixty men who volunteered to capture a battery. They succeeded, but it cost them one-fourth of the men in killed and wounded. In that desperate undertaking Mr. Jeffrey was wounded in the head. After he was mustered out he returned home and resumed his trade of carpentering. He was married in 1850 to Sarah McEntire but she died in 1857 and both of their children died very young.

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Pilot Knob, Missouri
Fenruary 18th 1862

Dear Uncle,

I have just received your letter and hasten to reply while the opportunity present itself for opportunities to write will soon be scarce. We are on the point of moving south and will start as soon as transportation arrives which will be here this week. Part has already come. There is no telling where we will land as that is kept a secret but I rather suppose it be Columbus. There will be four regiments of infantry, two cavalry, and four sections of artillery—quite a favorable squad.

I have been sick for some time with lung fever, sore throat, and rheumatics but I am getting well again. I have got a good situation in the regiment. I have been appointed clerk in the Commissary Department. I have nothing to do but write. I am relieved of all exposure and have an easy berth.

You spoke in your letter that you wanted me to make you a visit when the war is over. It has been my calculation for a “long time” to do so and if I live through this struggle, I intend to come to see you. There is no use to give you any war news—only what happens close to us. Everything has been quiet for some time until this last move. Everything is in a state of excitement since the last battle at Ft. Donelson. The Union and Constitution is safe. The backbone of the rebellion is broken, thank God.

There has been considerable of sickness amongst the troops this winter but we have lost but few men. Mother’s eyes are getting well which has given great relief to me. I want you to write as often as convenient and if anything happens, you will hear from me. Direct your letters to Pilot Knob, 38th Regt., Co. F, Illinois Volunteers. It makes no difference where I am, it will follow.

Give my love to Grandfather and tell him that I hope that he may live until I see him again. I believe that I have written all of the particulars so no more but remain your affectionate nephew, — F. M. Jeffrey