This letter was written by Mary A. Hanna (1836-1864), the daughter of James Hanna (1803-1859) and Margaret Fulton (1793-1859) of Short Creek Township, Harrison county, Ohio. Both of Mary’s parents died of typhoid fever with 15 days of each other in the late summer of 1859. We know little about Mary except that she was enrolled in 1856 at Oberlin College and she died in 1864, unmarried.

In her letter of October 1863, she mentions three brothers, two of whom were in the Federal service. The oldest, Alexander Fulton Hanna (1830-1863) was married to Ellen Thompson in 1853 and died of typhoid fever on 9 April 1863. He attended Franklin College at New Athens, Ohio, and was a teacher in Cadiz when he died—a devastating blow to the family as he served as the patriarch after the death of the parents. The second was James “Johnston” Hanna (1839-1890), who also graduated from Franklin College and was commissioned a Major in the 69th Ohio Vol. Infantry (OVI). He led the regiment in their charge up Missionary Ridge. The third was Archibald (“Archie”) Nelson Hanna (1841-1900) of Co. H, 126th OVI. She also mentions her younger sister Amanda Margaret Hanna (1843-1891) who was attending a Seminary (possibly the Steubenville Female Seminary) at the time. She married in 1865 to Dr. James Emmet Finley (1837-1911), a physician from Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson county, Ohio.

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

Old Homestead [Short Creek township, Harrison county, Ohio]

October 7th 1863

My dear friend,

Do not censure me too hard for not replying sooner. My reasons for not doing so is this—that I have not been at home for several weeks. Have been visiting my friends in Guernsey [?]. Since my return our County Fair has come off and consequently have not devoted much of my time to writing. This I trust may answer for apologies and I’ll venture on.

We are all well at this time. Have had no sickness in our family since in April last. ‘Twas then my eldest brother Alexander died of typhoid fever. How much we miss him. None but the members of our broken family can tell. To him we went for counsel & advice and in everything his willing hand was ready. Our loss is an irreparable one and although we feel it deeply, yet our loss is not to be compared with his widow. Poor woman! I feel sorry for her. She seems so lonely & sad. She has returned to her Father’s and although she is now an inmate of her childhood home, yet it has not the endearments it once had for her. But we must learn to be content and submit to the providence of an all wise Creator. This world was never meant for a Paradise. What trying times we have! Death seems to stare us on all sides.

Yesterday’s mail brought us word from brother Johnston who was again engaged in this last battle. Oh how uneasy we were until we heard that he was safe. Many, very many, of my acquaintances were wounded & killed in the conflict. This is the second heavy battle that brother has been in and escaped unhurt. I trust that same good Being that has thus far preserved his life, may still watch over & bring him back safely again.

My youngest brother, Archie, who has been in the service over one year tis now at Washington D. C. He was sick last April whilst in Martinsburg, Va. I was with him nearly three weeks. I was there at the time the Rebels destroyed a portion of the B&O Railroad [which] stopped the Eastern train from running so that I was compelled to return via Hagerstown, Maryland, Harrisburg, Pittsburg, Steubenville, & Cadiz which was quite a long way round and traveling alone too. I got along very well and have never regretted my trip.

I was so glad to hear from you all. How I would like to see you. Why it is that cousin Rachel & Lizzie never write me? I would love to hear from them although I wrote last & never received a reply. Think it rather discouraging to make the attempt again. And I never hear from Phillips’s anymore. When you see them, remind them of me please.

Sister Amanda is home now. She returns to the Seminary the first of next month. This will be her last session there. Suppose we look into the future as far as next spring & say we meet there & hear sister’s graduating performance & then you come home with me? That I think would be nice. At any rate, let me hear from you soon. With my love—yes, my best love to all my relations & say to them, “Mary Hanna wants a long visit from them.” Excuse this scrawl as I am ready to start to Cadiz with sister to do shopping. Ever & ever your friend, — Mary