The following letter was only signed “Andrew” and addressed to an unnamed brother, but the content reveals that it was written by a member of the 77th Pennsylvania Infantry. This regiment was organized at Pittsburgh on October 15, 1861 and left for Louisville, Kentucky, three days later. They were attached to Negley’s 4th Brigade, McCook’s Command, in General Don C. Buell’s Army of the Ohio. In December, 1861 they transferred to the 5th Brigade, led by Colonel Edward Kirk—events that are mentioned in the following letter. It’s seems probable that Andrew had a brother named Frank who served with him in the same company. The writer had distinctive, beautiful handwriting, which was similar to that of William Andrew Robinson, Captain of Co. E, but he signed his letters, “Will.”

Transcription

Camp Wood, Kentucky
Sunday, 15 [December] 1861

Dear Brother,

I wrote to Mother this forenoon and as I had a little more leisure time this afternoon, I thought I would write a few lines to you. Since I wrote you last, we have advanced a little farther towards Ole Buckner. Our regiment was detached from Negley’s Brigade on the 9th and we were ordered to join an Indiana Brigade commanded by Gen. Wood, which were encamped about two miles distant. We remained there until the 11th when we received orders to march (the whole Brigade). All things being ready, we got started about 9 o’clock and arrived to where we now are about sundown which is 14 miles from Nevin and 9 miles from Green river I believe. We were considerably wearied carrying our knapsacks, it being the first long march that we have had.

Our camp is near Bacon Creek. The railroad bridge that crosses it at this place has been burned twice by the Rebels. It has just been rebuilt. It was burned the second time the next night after it was finished which was about ten days ago. There were no Union troops here then. There are now about 10,000 encamped within sight of us.

It is probable that we will march on as far as Green river next week. I suppose we will have to give Ole Buckner a sweep before long. I think the 77th can hoe her row with any of them. We are getting right among the sesau-singers [secessionists] now. Frank went out to get his boots mended the other day and he seen Buckner’s Uncle and he had quite a talk with him. He pretended to be a good Union man of course, but whether he is or not is a question. Buckner owns a farm only 5 or 6 miles from here.

Don’t tell Mother that we are advancing. I did not say anything about it in my letter to her. I seen some of the shabbiest looking houses on our march down here that I ever saw. The natives don’t seem to take any pride in having anything nice around them. The curse of slavery can be seen even here.

I received the Harper’s Weekly you sent me day before yesterday and it was gladly received too, I tell you. You don’t know how glad a soldier is to get letters or papers from home. The sketch of Camp Nevin is not where we were encamped. There were three or four camps included in Camp Nevin. McCook’s Headquarters were about a mile from Negley’s. The weather here for the past week or two has been beautiful—about like September weather at home, no snow. Excuse this short letter. I will write more some future time. My love to all. Your brother, — Andrew

N. B. It agrees with me Bully down here. I weight 155 lbs. in my shirt sleeves.