This letter was written by William Almon Wilmarth (1838-1914) of Co. H, 58th Pennsylvania Infantry. William enlisted in December 1861 and mustered out of the service in December 1864. An obituary informs us that during “the winter of 1863 at Little Washington, N.C., he was detailed as guard on a government transport about three months and in the spring of 1863 he was attached to Co. M, 4th US Art., about two months. On June 4, 1864, at Cold Water, Va., he received a gunshot wound in right leg and was in a hospital at Point Lookout, Md., about four weeks with fever and ague. He took part in the battles of Norfolk, Gum Swamp, Sandy Ridge, Drewry’s Bluff, Cold Harbor and Fort Harrison, Va.”

William was the son of Nelson Wilmarth (1812-1847) and Matilda Morris (1816-1838) of McKean county, Pennsylvania. When William’s mother died in childbirth, William was raised by William Lamphier and Calista Hazen.

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

Portsmouth, Va.
August 25th 1862

Friends John and Mother,

I received your letter last night and was glad to hear from you. We are all well except Emory Skiver. Your father is well. Fill is still in the hospital. I was up to see him just before I commenced writing. He was sitting up. He is gaining some. Mother, Toney said that you bothered him all the time he was writing his letter and I hope to God he will bother you when you write yours. You spoke of Toney’s going. I say keep Toney to home. Please to tell the names of those that I am acquainted with that is going with Pence.

Well, Mother, I wish that I cuold send you a big water melon tat we have got in the tent. We can spare it just as well as not. I am tired and sleepy. I was on guard last night. No more for this time. So goodbye. — Wm. A. Willmarth