The following letter was written by Josiah Van Fossan (1835-1889), the son of David Van Fossan (1808-1862) and Melinda Fishel (1809-1881) of Wayne City, Wayne county, Illinois. Josiah was earning a living as a carpenter in Mount Erie, Illinois, was married and with small children when he enlisted as a private on 13 August 1862 to serve three years in Co. D, 87th Illinois Infantry. At that time, muster rolls recorded his height at 5’8″, his hair brown, his eyes grey. The regiment primarily served in the Department of the Tennessee and the Department of the Gulf, with actions in Arkansas (Helena) and Louisiana (Vicksburg campaign, Brashear City, 1864 Red River Campaign). Josiah mustered out of the service on 16 June 1865 at Helena, Arkansas.

Also serving with him in the same company and mentioned in this letter was his younger brother, David Van Fossan, Jr. (1843-1912). They both survived the war. Both of them were born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and came with their parents to Wayne county, Illinois, in 1851.

See also—1865: David Van Fossan to his Mother on Spared & Shared 23 and 1863: David VanFustain to Alexander VanFustain on Spared & Shared 22.

[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Jennifer Wood who is the great-great-great granddaughter of David Van Fossan, brother of the author. She made it available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

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

Camp Logan
Shawneetown [Illinois]
October 31st 1862

Dear mother & brother,

I sit myself down to inform you that we are well except David. He is very sick now with the fever. He went to the hospital the 3rd day after he got here. He had to stop on the road when he was coming down about 12 miles from here. I got a buggy and went after him and I hope when this comes to hand, they will find you and Alexander enjoying good health for that is the greatest blessing that God can bestow on us.

Mother, I have not much to write you at this time. If you’ans can get any way to come after David or can send after him, you have best do it. The Captain says he will give him a furlough to go home and stay till he gets well again. He is getting very weak and falling off very fast. This is a very good place for a man as long as he keeps well but it is a hard place for a sick man. I have had my health the best kind except a chill about a week ago but I went and got some quinine and stopped it right straight and now I am as fat and sassy as a lawyer.

I will tell you we was mustered in this morning for the draw of our money. We will draw two months wages now and the money goes well with us so as we can send it to our families so they can live and get along. I believe I have give you all the particulars but I want you to send for David if you can any way at all.

So I must come to a close for this time and write more the next time. I have so many to write to, I can’t write very often but Mother, I will write to you as often as I can. I want to hear from you as soon as you get this. Tell all the friends that I am well, Tell Jacob I would like to hear from him.

So no more at present but still remains your son, — Josiah Vanfostain

To Melinda D. Alexander Van Fostain