The following letters were written by Jacob H. Fellows (1834-1863) of Co. D, 100th Illinois Infantry. He enlisted in the regiment on 30 August 1862 and died of disease (small pox) at Louisville, Kentucky on 13 December 1863. His brother John Fellows (1838-1906) also served in the same company and was wounded in the Battle of Stones River and later discharged for disability. The letter was written to Jacob’s sister, Margaret Elizabeth Fellows (1840-1905) of Plainfield, Will county, Illinois.

Jacob Fellows was described in the muster rolls as a 27 year-old farmer with light hair and blue eyes when he enlisted in 1862. He was married just one week prior to his enlistment to Esther Phillips.

[Note: These letters are from the personal collection of Ryan Martin and were made available for transcription ad publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

Letter 1

18 miles east of Nashville, Tennessee
November 15, 1862

Dear Sister,

I take this opportunity to write a few lines to you to let you know how we are. [Brother] John and I are well at the present and hope that this will find you all the same. We are now in camp and have been for five days and we cannot tell when we will leave. We have not been in a fight yet but there is some talk of one now. The army are all marched off to a place where the report is that Morgan has his headquarters. Perhaps they will rout him. I did not go with the boys this time but stayed inn camp.

As to the health of the boys, there is a great many sick in camp. I received your letter and was glad to hear from you. As to our mail being taken, it was, but the sutler had it and there was not one of our boys taken. The mail does not run very steady. It is liable to be taken anytime for the country is full of the guerrilla parties. There is a great many reports of such things that there is no truth in them.

There is a great report in camp about peace being declared but we can’t tell how true it is. If you see any such thing in the papers, write and let us know so we can see what is a going on. We have rather hard times some of the time. We expect to go into winter quarters at Nashville. That is the report.

I have sent several letters and have had no answers from them. I must close for the present. Give my respects to all. Write as soon as you get this and I will answer it. No more. This from your brother till death. Goodbye from J. Fellows

to M. Fellows

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Letter 2

Hospital Number 8, Ward No. 4
Nashville, Tennessee
January 28, 1863

Dear sister,

I got your letter today and was glad to hear from you and that you was well. I have got a very bad earache tonight or I would feel good. [Brother] John is a getting well very fast. He was shot in the thigh. Ed F. Hyland was shot in the left breast. Him and John is together. I was up there today and showed him your letter. John is a coming down to my house tomorrow. He said you must direct his letter to me and then I will carry them to him.

Maybe you want me to write all about the Battle [of Stones river] but I can’t. It is too bad to write about. I want you to write all about the folks and what they are a doing.

Peter Countryman is here. He was down here the other day. I have no news to write to you tonight. It is twelve o’clock and I must stop. So good night. Write as soon as you get this. — Jacob Fellows

To Margaret Fellows

Direct your letters to Nashville, Hospital Number 8, Ward Number 4.