The following letter was written by Augustus (“Gus”) Dilley (1835-1906) of Hubbard, Trumbull county, Ohio. Gus was raised in the same community as Lyman and Festus Tylee, two brothers roughly the same age as himself. In 1860, Gus married their younger sister, Martha Tylee (1840-1887). When the Civil War began, Gus joined with Lyman in Co. B, 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). Lyman was killed at the Battle of Stones River in January 1863. Not long after, Festus enlisted in Co. C, 125th OVI. Gus states in his letter that he never had the opportunity to meet Festus’ wife who, when he married Harriet M. Downing in 1858, lived in another community in Trumbull county.

Gus wrote the letter from the camp of the 19th OVI on 6 September, less than a week after the fighting before Atlanta that resulted in its capture. Both the 19th OVI and the 125th OVI served in the 3rd Division of the IV Corps during the Atlanta Campaign.

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

Camp 19th Regt. O. V. I.
September 6th 1864

Dear Sister,

It is with a sad heart that I try for the first time to write to you. I presume you have heard ere this of the death of your husband. I did not hear the sad news till this afternoon on the march. I saw one of the boys from his company [Co. C, 125th OVI] and as soon as we halted, I went to learn the particulars but could learn nothing—only his officers had received a notice of his death on the 25th and an inventory of his effects. I also got three letters of his, one of them which I opened and found yours and Hattie’s and Jennie’s pictures in. The others was dated on July 20th and August 16th. The pictures I would like very much to keep with your consent but if you want sent, write me and I will send them.

I saw him a few days before he was sent back and he was in good spirits and seemed to think he would be able to stand the service after he got used to it. He looked fleshy but did not look healthy and as much as I wanted to see him, was very sorry he came to the regiment at the time he did. He seemed like a brother to me indeed. And when he came up we did not have the privilege of visiting each other but a few times until the Lord seen fit to take him away.

His company mourns his loss. They all seemed to be very much attached to him. It is getting dark and we have to move tonight and I will be obliged to make my letter short. What can I say to cheer the heart of one that has lost as dear a husband as he must have been. My acquaintance with him was short but I am confident that he put his trust in Him that was able to save and doeth all things well. May we be enabled to profit by his example and not mourn as those that have no hope.

It is so dark that I will have to close for this time. I would like to hear from you often although I have never had the pleasure of seeing you. You seem like a sister to me. Please excuse this poor letter and I will try and do better next time. Your in haste, — Gus

P. S. He was at Murfreesboro hospital when he died. — Gus