The following letter was written by David Van Fossan, Jr. (1843-1912), the son of David Van Fossan (1808-1862) and Melinda Fishel (1809-1881) of Wayne City, Wayne county, Illinois. David enlisted as a private on 13 August 1862 to serve three years in Co. D, 87th Illinois Infantry. He mustered out of the service on 16 June 1865 at Helena, Arkansas.

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Helena, Arkansas
April 23, 1865

Dear Mother and Brother,

I seat myself to let you know that I am well and hearty and I hope that these few lines may find you enjoying the same good spirits. Well, Mother, I han’t got much to write at the present but I will do the best I can. I han’t had no letters from you for a long time. I han’t got no letter from you since Mr. William Camp came back to the regiment and I would like to hear from you and Alexander. I don’t know what the reason that I don’t get letters. I have wrote a good many letters and han’t got one yet. Well Mother, I want you to write more than you do and Alexander, I want you to write to me and let me know what you are a doing.

Well, I must tell you that the water is all over the town and we see good times here. We are staying in a good house and we are provost guard and we have to patrol the town in skiffs. The water is about three feet deep all over the town.

Well, Henry Wells is a going home on a furlough and I thought I would write and I hope that the war will soon be over so I can come home but the time ain’t long any more till I can come home. Well, Mother, I must quit writing and go on patrol. It is five minutes till nine o’clock and I have to go on patrol at nine o’clock so I will have to go and see that they is no men quarreling or doing no harm.

So no more at present but remain your son. — D. Van Fossan

to Mother and brother. Write soon.