The following letters were written by 16 year-old George W. Fellows (1847-1890) who was recruited into Co. K of the 8th Illinois Cavalry on 29 February 1864. He remained with the regiment until 17 July 1865 when they were mustered out of the service at Benton Barracks, Missouri. George hailed from Plainfield, Illinois, where his parents, George Warren Fellows (1811-1901) and Phoebe Morenus (1818-1904) farmed the rich prairie of Will county. When he enlisted, George claimed to be 18 years old. He stood but 5′ 4″ tall and had sandy hair and blue eyes.

Both letters were sent to George’s older sister, Margaret (“Mag”) Elizabeth (Fellows) Cook who was married to Thomas Cook (1838-1917) in August 1863. In 1864, I believe the Cooks were residing in Will county but by 1870, Thomas was farming in Pilot township, Kankakee county, Illinois. They took their mail at Chebanse.

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

Letter 1

Washington D. C.
April 8, 1864

Dear friend,

I take my pen in my hand to write you a few [lines] to let you know that I am well and happy. I hope this will [find] you the same. I received your letter. I was glad to hear from you. It is fine weather here now.

I was in Washington the other day. It is a nice city. I was in the Capitol. This part of the country is hilly and woods.

I am on guard now but I am a guarding the horses and they are in the stalls so I thought I would answer your letter. You said that you went home on the cars. I wish that I could have been there so that I could have went home with you. We had a [hard] time [coming] here. We had a first class hog car to ride on.

We are a going to stay here this summer. I can’t think of anything more to write now. It is about time for [them] to relieve me so I will close for this time. So goodbye. — George W. Fellows

[to] Mr. [Thomas] Cook

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Letter 2

The 8th Illinois Cavalry, Co. K
Washington D. C.
July 20, 1864

I now take my pen in my hand to write a few lines. I am well and hope you are the same.

I was in the fight and come out all right. Me and some of the rest of the Boys was out from the company and we rode in the rear of the rebels for 40 miles as fast as our horses could go and if we had been 15 minutes later, we would all [be] marching South.

Mag, I want you to [write] to me. I hain’t heard from home for a month. Tell Tom to write to me. Mag, I want you to send me your likeness and tell [Tom] to send his to me. I must fetch my letter to a close so goodbye. I give my respects to all. — George W. Fellows

to [Mrs. May Cook]