The following letter was written by 16 year-old Caroline Lewis who was enumerated in the 1860 US Census as a “servant” in the household of Robert Bateman, a gunsmith in Waverly, Pike county, Ohio. Ten years earlier she was enumerated in the household of James Hughes in Jackson, Pike county. She may have been the same Caroline Lewis who married James R. Rhinehart in Pike county on 15 March 1863.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Waverly, Pike county, Ohio
December 18, 1861

Dear friend,

I seat myself this afternoon to let you know how I am getting along these hard times. I have been sick. I have had the bilious fever and am just able to sit up now. But Maggie, I do hope this will find you well and hearty.

I would like to see you and have a good talk with you. You know we use to have some good times. I want you to write to me and tell me all the news. Tell Lib Grimes I sent my love to her. Tell her to write to me. Tell me how you and Ike gets along these hard times. You must not let him go to war. Tell me who has gone to war. Tell Lib to hold tight to Davis and not let him go to war. But I don’t believe he will go—he is afraid he will get shot. Don’t you believe he is? Tell Lib I said so. Tell Ike and Sam Adams that I would like to see them a little bit. And tell Ike I ain’t forgot the night the Wide Awakes marched at Holland—the [same] night I got throwed off of the Black.

Tell Frank and Henrietta I send my love to them. Tell your mother I send my love to her. Well, I will bring my letter to a close. Give my love to all enquiring friends and keep a good share of it yourself. No more at present. But I remain as ever your friend, — Caroline Lewis

to Maggie Kerney

A Song [to the] Tune [of] Dixie

Listen my friends unto my song
I’m for the Union right or wrong
Hurray, Hurrah—Hurrah, Hurrah
If I was a man to the wars I’d go
When duty calls, I’d never say no
Hurrah, Hurrah—Hurrah, Hurrah

Chorus

Hurrah for the Union
Hurrah, Hurah
On Union’s land I’ll take my stand
I’ll live and die in Union’s land
Hurrah, Hurrah—Hurrah for the Union

The Union must and shall be saved
There is no use of being afraid
Hurrah
Let freedom’s banner o’er us wave
And be a shield for the true and brave
Hurrah!

Chorus

Ye sons of freedom hark the call
Defend your country one and all
Hurrah
Although no active part I’d take
of each young man a soldier I’d make
Hurrah

Chorus

You must remember danger nigh
for hark unto disunion’s cry
Hurrah
With a ‘God bless all’ and a safe return
to all that fight for the Union
Hurrah, Hurrah

Chorus

No more. January 26, 1862