This letter was written by David Dempsey Kreps (1844-1920) who enlisted on 8/18/64 as a private in Co. B, 77th PA Infantry. He was discharged on 6/16/65.  He was a Member of GAR Post # 433 (Sergeant John C. Dickey) in Greenville, PA. Kreps died on 11/7/1920 in Indianapolis, IN and is buried there in Crown Hill Cemetery.

David wrote the letter to his brother, Frank A. Kreps who was one of the officers that escaped from Libby by tunneling out of the Confederate Prison in Richmond. He was one that was recaptured as well as the following article in the Richmond Enquirer on 13 February 1864 relates: “Three more of the Yankee officers who recently took the underground route out of the Libby Prison, were recaptured on Thursday, near Fort Clifton, on the Appomattox. It seems that after their escape from the Libby they succeeded in reaching Port Walthall, where they secured a boat and started for Old Point. In going down the James river they mistook their way and turned into the Appomattox. In the darkness they ran the boat upon the obstructions in the river, near the fort, and upset it, when, utterly exhausted and almost frozen to death, they went ashore and surrendered themselves to a party of men belonging to Martin’s Battery. They were conveyed to Petersburg and confined in the provost marshal’s guard house. Their names are Frank M. Kreps, 1st Lieutenant, 77th Pennsylvania; Freeman C. Gay, 2d Lieutenant, 11th Pennsylvania; Henry B. Freeman, 1st Lieutenant, United States Infantry.”

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

Camp near Huntsville, Alabama
January 29 [1865]

Dear Brother,

I received your letter some days ago and I put it iff and ought of answered it before this time. But being as it is Sunday and not having much to do, I thought I would answer your letter.

Will Lavern said that Col. [Thomas E.] Rose said that you was to be Capt. of Co. B and that he was going to try to go home to recruit and get you to help him. I don’t know how true it is but that is what Will [ ] heard at headquarters. Lieut. Shroth and Lieut. Johnson and Lieut. [George] Conrad and Lieut. [Silas L.] Vera are all going home.

Lieut. Vera told me to tell you that he had got a letter from you and that he would answer it in a few days. He said he was kept busy making out pay rolls. They got a notice at headquarters a day or so ago that you was mustered out of the service. If you haven’t sent those shirts I sent for, send me a hat with the shirts. The government hats are such poor things that they won’t last no time at all and it cost between 7.8 and 9 dollars for a hat.

Lieut. [Alex T.] Baldwin [of Co. C] is the only one that was killed [at Nashville on 16 December 1864] that I know. There was several others killed and some wounded but I don’t know their names. Acer of our company was wounded but not very bad.

I guess we will be paid off in a few days but don’t know how soon. They are busy making out the pay rolls.

I think you had better stay at home for I think you have done enough. Our family has done enough towards putting down this rebellion. Let some others come that has not soldiered any. We are all well, getting along first rate. We have nothing to do except eat, drink, and drill a little. The grub we get is not quite as good as that we get at home [but they] give me plenty of it. I can live. I have gained just twenty pounds. I weigh 137 pounds and a half. Whenever we are paid off, I want to get my picture taken and send it home.

I must bring my letter to a close. Frank, I would like to see you. Well, I will close hoping to see you in about seven months. Give my love to all the family and friends. Your affectionate brother, — David D. Kreps