Emanuel Cave was born in August 1838 in Ohio. In 1861, he married Susan Bender (1842-1922). Shortly after his marriage, he enlisted in the Union Army. He served as a private in Co. H of the 69th Ohio Infantry Regiment between 1861 and 1865. This regiment saw extensive action in Tennessee and Georgia, including the Middle Tennessee (or Tullahoma) Campaign and the Atlanta Campaign. After the war, Cave returned to his family in Ohio. He died in Pickaway County, Ohio on May 15, 1916.

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

Camp 69th Ohio Vols.

Near Atlanta, Georgia

August 24, 1864

My Dear Wife,

Your kind and affectionate letter of the 17th has just been received and I will not delay one moment in replying. My surprise can hardly be imagined when I read of the death of your sister. I could not think any better of my own sister than I did of her. She was good and kind, and I can hardly realize that she is no more. But we ought not to complain at the will of the great Dispenser of us all. We must submit to His decrees. Death is the destiny of us all, and sooner or later, it is sure to overtake us. It behooves us all, therefore, to be ever ready, for we know not the hour when we may be summoned to the bar of a just God.

I am pleased to learn that you are again well and trust that you may so continue. My own health was never better, and my courage has never faltered for I hope and firmly believe that we will soon be reunited and live to enjoy the society of each other for many years—that many years of unalloyed happiness will be ours, and that the brightness and joy of the future will more than repay us for the sad, long months we are now spending apart. Let us both hope and believe that the present trial is for our mutual benefit and so live that when they are all passed, we can point back to this time as the incentive that led us on to the enjoyment of such happiness as we never before experienced. I am satisfied that it will make me a wiser and a better man; and that will have taught me to appreciate the blessings of home, and the affection which you bestow upon me.

The photograph was duly received. I told you so in my last. We are still in the same position and are not doing much of anything. Both armies are at present pretty quiet—occasionally shelling each other. Atlanta is regularly shelled from two or three different points and occasionally we notice a fire in the city. Considerable quantity of hot shot have also been thrown into it.

Your letters are the source of much pleasure to me and are read with a feeling of joy that cannot be explained.

Write to me often—oftener if possible that you ever have, and again I must ask you to try and feel that after this “cruel war is over,” all will yet be well.

Don’t feel uneasy about me. Ii is unnecessary to “borrow trouble.” If it does come, it will be time enough to grieve then. I will write again in a few days. Respects to all friends and much love to you. Affectionately yours, — Emanuel Cave