The signature on this letter is baffling. It seems clear that he belonged to Co. B, 1st Virginia [later designated West Virginia] Cavalry. His name looks like John H. Gullon but there is no one on the roster by that name. There is a John Gibbon, however, and there is also a letter I transcribed some time ago by John P. Allen who wrote to Rebecca Jane Carroll. He was also in the same company and his handwriting is very similar. There are sketches in both letters as well, but the signatures appear different.

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

Fort Good Hope ¹
December 25, 1861

Dear Jane,

It is with pleasure I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well at present, sincerely hoping these few lines may find you enjoying the same health.

Jane, it is Christmas and it is passing away very dry. Nothing going n. I would like to be at your house today. This day one year ago I was there but never thought that I would spend my next Christmas standing to fight for my country. We can’t tell what time will bring.

There is a sham [battle] to be fought between this regiment and a Rhode Island regiment. That will be some fun but that is all the good it will do me. I can’t [walk] one mile to save me. If I was at home two or three weeks, I could cure my leg but here I can’t take any care of myself. But I think I will come home in a month or two and then I will have a big time. I would like to be there now if I could get there.

Jane, here is the city as plain as it can be seen where I have roamed through. Jane you must keep all the letters you get from me and be sure to keep this one for it is the nicest one I could [get] in camp.

Jane, I could not get out to get my likeness but I will send you some soldiers money as a gift though it is small but you can see what kind of money we have here. Jane, you must write to me whenever you get a chance. Nothing more at present but remain yours, Dick Jane

— John H. Gibbon [?]

The taller the tree, the tighter the bark
The fairer the Lady, the harder to spark

Cumberland Moreland
Co. B, 1st Va. Regt of Cavalry
In care of Capt. Farabee

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¹ Fort Wagner also known as “Fort Good Hope” ( 1861-1865) was a Union fort established in 1861 in Southeast Washington DC. It was an earthen fort with a perimeter of 166 yards and emplacements for five guns. The gun placements were intended to sweep the valley through which the road leads up the heights.

This letter was written by Oliver Burchfield (b. 1845), the son of Reuben Milton Burchfield (1808-1896) of Salem, Jefferson county, Ohio who enlisted on 1 November 1861 in Co. L, 1st West Virginia Cavalry. Oliver died of disease on 10 May 1862 near McDowell, Virginia.

Transcription

Clarksburg [Virginia]
February 19, 1862

Dear Father,

I take my pen in hand to write to you a few lines for to let you know that I am well at present and hope that these few lines may reach you and all the rest enjoy the same state of health, We still remain in Clarksburg but we do not know how long we may remain here for we do not know when we may get a call to go somewhere else but I am enjoying myself very well at present and in all probability the longer we stay the better I like it. We drill every few days which I like very well. We have not done any scouting for some time but we are getting our horses in good plite [?]. We are lookin’ with patience for our pay but do not know at what time we will get it but news at present that this bill that was before the House for one hundred and fifty millions of Treasury Notes has passed Congress and I am in hopes that we will get our pay soon.

Our men has been successful in Kentucky. It appears they have been successful in all points. It appears that the secesh have left Romney and retreated to Winchester where we expect a big fight there some time soon. I think the fighting is pretty well over in Western Virginia. Nothing more at present but remain your affectionate son until death. Yours truly, –Oliver Burchfield

[to] Reuben Burchfield

Write soon. Direct your letter as usual. Give the news in general.

Camp Chase, Ohio

Miss Burchfield,

Yours of September 28, [1861] is at hand though I must apologize for not replying sooner. I should have written long ere this had I been permitted. You will have to take the will for the deed. I will have to promise to do better the next time. Don’t know that I need make any apologies as it seems that I was about as prompt as yourself. However, we will not quarrel about that. I have been on detached service for some time nor do I know when I will get back…[end of letter missing]