The following letter was written by David Hayden Foster (1829-1871) of Beaver Dam, Allen county, Ohio, who enlisted in January 1862 in Co. H, 74th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He did not serve long. He was discharged for disability as a corporal on 5 November 1862 at Nashville, Tennessee.

David write the letter to his wife, Elizabeth (Emmons) Foster (1826-1902). They were married in Allen county, Ohio, in June 1847 and had at least five children by the time of the Civil War.

Transcription

March 22, 1862

Dear Wife,

It is with pleasure that I sit down to let you know that I am well at this time, hoping these few pencil marks may find you in the same state of health. I have had a good lot of work to do since I came into camp but I stand it all well & nice. Yesterday I superintended the dressing up of the company hospital for the sick. There is five or six that are on the sick list but not dangerous. It is from cold. The doctor says that these fellows [just] want to get rid of duty. This game is played off every day.

I want you to write to me for I have not received one word from home yet. Now I think it time that some of you would write to me. I have written 20 letters and not one answer yet. I wrote G. W. Young a few lines to see about your money that you are to draw. He has not answered me yet. I do not know what course to pursue until he answers my letter. I will most assuredly attend to it as soon as I learn what course to pursue. I want you to do a mother’s part in taking care of my beloved children. That I have no doubt you will do & do it right too.

Dear wife, there is some talk of us moving from here but we do not know when we will move. It may be in ten days & maybe not for twenty. There is all kinds if camp reports going every day but the Captain thinks that we will have to stay here till the war is over.

There was 90 prisoners came into our prison this morning. I have had a chance to talk with the secesh since I came back. Some of them are fine men. Others are mean as get out. Tell my boys to be good to their Mother & do everything they can for her comfort. So no more at preset but remain your husband, — D. H. Foster