This letter was written by 45 year-old William Witman Otto (1815-1882) from his home in Port Providence, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, after he was discharged for disability from Co. F, 88th Pennsylvania Infantry. William enlisted in the regiment on 16 September 1861 and received his discharge papers on 12 August 1862. Following his discharge, Otto returned to Port Providence to his wife Charlotte (Wise) Otto and their five children where he recovered sufficiently to resume employment as a boatman on the Schuylkill Canal.

William does not say much about his disability but I suspect he was not recovering from any wounds for the 88th Pennsylvania did not see any real action in the war until the Battle of 2nd Bull Run in late August 1862 and then again in the Miller Cornfield at Antietam in mid-September. Given his advanced age, it’s likely that William was simply unable to withstand the rigors of marching and camp life.

The recipient of this letter is not identified but he was most certainly also a member of Co. F, 88th Pennsylvania who yet remained with the regiment and was also from the Port Providence area.

According to Genealogical records, William was the son of Daniel Hitner Otto and Sarah Whitman of Berks county, Pennsylvania.

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

Port Providence [Montgomery county, Pa.]
September 29, 1862

Dear Friend,

I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am still in the land of the living. I feel pretty well at this time but at certain times I am scarcely able to move about. There is one thing certain, I receive an honorable discharge from the United States for disability. Oh how glad I would be to have you all once more to be your own masters. I know you must of had a hard time in your last engagement according to all accounts. The 88th Regiment must be very much reduced. At the same time I felt very sorry for the killed & wounded. The poor soldiers must of had a terrible time. But you may perhaps return again to enjoy the pleasures which those as that live in the North. Oh happy I wanted [ ] to meet you all again. But I am afraid that won’t happen.

The times are dull here. Our business has been very good this summer. Once I return home after being under Doctor Yerges hand for ten days, he cured me so that I was able to go to work. Up to this time I have earned over forty-seven dollars. The business is on the [Schuylkill] Canal. It’s very good this summer owing to the scarcity of boats. Nearly all the boatmen have gone into the army. I am in hopes if this war ever gets settled there will be a great time. Everything will brighten up. But I am thinking it will be some time before it will be. This is all at this time.

John Smallwood and all the villagers of port join with me [sending] their love to all the Boys. John Smallwood joins with me [send] our best respects to Sergeant Forbes and all the corporals and officers of the broken Company F. I felt very sorry to hear of the capture of Capt. F. W. Dunbar. And believe me to be your sincere friend, — Wm. W. Otto

Please write soon and let me know your situation and how you are all a getting along for we feel anxious to hear of the Port Boys.

Lewis Rolen and Johnny Hays got their discharges the next day after I received mine. There were over six hundred discharged in one week. J. P. A. has been here a week ago but has since left for the regiment. I suppose he is in company with you at this time.

N. B. Success to you all my friends.