The following letter was written by Pvt. Aaron Kirt Ellenwood (1842-1872) of Co. H, 19th Indiana Infantry. Aaron was the son of Adolphus Ellenwood (1796-1858) and Fanny Hendrix (1802-Aft1850) of Jennings county, Indiana. Aaron’s muster in date is given as 29 July 1861 but there are no other remarks in his military record. The 19th Indiana Brigade website states that Aaron was discharged early in the war because of disability but does not provide the date.

Most history buffs will recognize the 19th Indiana as part of the famed Iron Brigade who saw action in many of the Army of Potomac’s largest battles—Gainesville, Antietam, Gettysburg, and Petersburg. It isn’t known whether Aaron participated in any of these, however.

After the war, in 1866, Aaron married Mary Kiger (1846-1913) in Shelby county, Indiana. Aaron was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in 1872; reinterred from Greenlawn Cemetery. No headstone marks in gravesite.

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

Camp Advance,
September 22nd 1861

Dear friend Hattie,

As I have been writing letters to nearly everybody today, I thought that I would write to you. I am tolerable well & hope you are the same. We have had tolerable hard times since we came over on this side of the Potomac. One night when I was on guard, the long roll beat and we did not know where we had to go so we did not bring any clothes with us here. We had to lay on the cold ground some two weeks without tents. All we had was our oil cloth and blanket for bed and cover. It was on a side hill and it rained nearly every night and the water running under us. But now we have our tents which is better for us. Tomorrow I understand that we go back on the other side of the river. That will suit me the best kind.

Capt. Johnson was here today. He looks fine. All of his boys are well. I think that we will be in the same brigade that he is in so there will be a good many of us boys from Edinburgh here now and all together. I suppose that [you] heard all the news from here by someone else. We have been in one little fight already. ¹ Did not lose many of our men. I believe they killed five of our men and wounded two out of our regiment. Most of the Edinburgh boys are all well. Dude Gray is sick in the hospital.

I have received several letters since I have been here. Mag has written to me several times. She said in her last letter that you was well. Gave me your respects also. This is the first time that I ever wrote to you and likely I have taxed your patience already. I will stop by giving you my best respects. Give them to all the family and friends. — A. K. Elenwood

Co. H, 19th Regt. Indiana Volunteers, Washington City, D. C.

You would laugh to hear the boys singing this evening. This is Sunday here, I believe, judging by not having to work today. Our preacher preached a good sermon today. His name is Rev. [Lewis] Dale

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¹ Aaron is probably referring to the minot skirmish at Lewinsville that took place on 11 September, 1861.