This letter was written by Thomas M. Walker (1843-18xx), the son of Oliver Hazard Perry Walker (1814-1877) and Tabitha Burgess (1821-1906). In 1860, Thomas resided with his parents in Carrolton, Harrison County, Ohio, where his father made a living as a saddler. From that census record, we learn that Thomas’s mother was a native of Wales and that the rest of the family were all born in Pennsylvania.

Thomas enlisted at the age of 18 in September 1861 to serve three years in Co. B, 15th Ohio Infantry. He was a private for most of the war but received a promotion to corporal just before he was discharged in October 1865.

This letter is misleading because it is only a partial letter and a portion of what appears on this sheet was not written by Thomas but most likely his brother. The letter was probably written in 1862 when the 15th OVI was in Columbia, Tennessee, while Capt. McClenahan was still serving as captain. He was promoted to Major in mid-August 1862. The envelope celebrating Grant’s spring victories in Tennessee may not be original to the letter.

See also—1863: Thomas M. Walker to Oliver Hazard Perry on Spared & Shared 13.

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

[Note: The first part of this letter was written by an unknown hand]

Lawrenceville
4 April 1862

My dear wife,

I have just received this letter and will send it to you. I cannot get any work in the garrison. I am waiting to hear from Butler. There is a man wants a hand there and a letter was sent to him on Thursday and a letter will come back to Pittsburg tonight and to Lawrenceville Saturday morning. I will have to walk home I expect as I will have no money and must beg my way home. I will leave some of these days for home. There is nothing new. There was a soldier died on Wednesday and the funeral has just gone to the grave yard. The soldiers are all out. If I should go to Butler, I will send you some medicine before I leave and will write to you soon again. [signature obliterated by envelope]

[The following was written by Thomas and is likely only the last half of what was once a larger letter. The letter was written from Columbia, Maury county, Tennessee.]

I have just taken a good bath today. I have not seen Ben Evans since I left the City—that’s been a month since. We had to wade a large creek. The bridge had been burnt by the rebels and we had to ford it. It was only breast deep. We have good times here doing nothing but eat and lay around. We draw 12 crackers a day. They are the same as they have on the boats. I will send my money then to my Uncle. So no more at present. I have sent grandmother Burger. You can direct your letters to Columbia, Maury county, Tennessee, in care of Capt. McClenahan of the 15th Regiment O. V. M., USA.

I received those stamps. I was glad to get them. Our company has come off drill. We drilled two hours. Give my love to all the inquiring friends. Answer.

from Thomas Walker to my father and mother, O. P. Walker