The following letter was written by Eliza (Simpson) Russell to her younger brother, Lewis Edward Russell (1846-1924). Eliza was married in 1858 to Willis Russell (18xx-1870). Lewis and Eliza were two of at least 11 children born to Edward Simpson (1799-1887) and Hatta Maria Ward (1810-1899) of Magnolia, Putnam county, Illinois. Lewis had three brothers who died relatively young, leaving him the only surviving son at the time of his enlistment, when only 16 years old, in Co. B, 77th Illinois Infantry on 22 August 1862.

From this letter we learn that Lewis was in the Battle of Arkansas Post on 11 January 1863. The 77th Illinois was in the thick of the fight and later claimed they were the first to scale the fort’s parapets. The 77th suffered six men killed in the battle, with another 39 wounded. Lewis was one of those wounded and was subsequently treated at Lawson Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. He was discharged from the service on 12 August 1863. Lewis lived near Henry, Illinois, until 1916 when he moved to Hollywood, California.

Transcription

February 7, 1863

Dear Brother,

This evening finds us still alive but not all well. Emma has got the sore throat. This is a very cold evening and I am thankful that you are in a warm house and well care for but we would be glad if you was with us. But you don’t know how glad we was to hear that you was not killed nor wounded any worse. I am very sorry that you are wounded but it may have saved your life from some other battle.

Lewis, my dear brother, be of good cheer and try and get able to come home and stay with us. You must excuse me for not answering your letters sooner but it was not because I did not think of you for indeed, after I heard about the battle of Arkansas Post, I dreamt about you every night and thought of you through the day, wondering if you was among the dead or the living, hoping that you was among the living. You don’t know how glad I was to get your letter and to hear that you was well cared for. I bet you was glad to see father come in and I was glad that he went.

He says that he is is going to kill the rest of his hogs next week and then he is going to go down and stay with you until you are able to come home if that is next March. Lewis, you have a father that loves and cares for you and nothing would make him more happy than to have his only boy back with him once more and that to stay. And your dear mother has often wept that you was gone—not only her, but your sisters also. Lewis, our home would almost be a paradise if you was with us. Sarah would gladly go and take care of you but father says that they don’t allow ladies for nurses.

Many weary days and nights have I spent thinking of my absent brother, wondering where he was and if he was well fed while we had plenty at home. Father has said that he would give anything if he could only get you back satisfied to stay at home with him and he has said that he never expects to see you again. But I am glad to say that he has been disappointed in that and I know that he is also. Lewis, would you like to come home and stay and never go to war again?

[My husband,] Willis is glad now that I did not let him go. Lewis, answer that question that I asked you in particular. We will all be so glad to have you come home once more. Don’t get tired reading my letter. Excuse this pencil as I have no good ink. I will write to you often. Write me a few lines if you are able. From your sister that loves you, good night for this time.

— Eliza Russell