How Rosina might have looked in 1862 (Dick Valentinetti Collection)
The following letter was written by 15 year-old Rosina Markland, the daughter of George Markland (1794-1863) and Mary Nancy Nelson (1808-1864) of Jacksonville, Indiana. In her letter, Rosina speaks of her older brother Thomas “Garah” Markland (1836-1863) who served as a private in Co. D, 93rd Indiana Infantry and contracted a fever and died in the service at Lagrange, Tennessee on 13 January 1863. Se also mentions her sister Esther (1840-1913) who never married and lived with Rosina’s family. Rosina married George Philip Muret (1844-1921) in 1866 and eventually moved to Cowley county, Kansas.
Rosina write the letter to her sister Cynthia (Markland) Aldrich’s family who lived in Indianapolis. Cynthia (1834-1910) married John D. Aldrich (1839-1903), a master carpenter, in 1858 and their childrens’ names were Albert (b. 1859), James, (b. 1861), and Rosa (b. 1869).
Rosina penned her letter from Jacksonville, a small village near Centre Square in Jefferson township in Switzerland county, several miles inland from the Ohio River town of Vevay. This correspondence, crafted in the wake of Lee’s invasion of Maryland, captures the palpable unease gripping the civilian populations just north of the Ohio River. Compounded by the unsettling news of Braxton Bragg’s army advancing into Kentucky with intentions set on Cincinnati or Louisville, her words seethe with the tension and apprehension of the time.
Transcription
Addressed to Mr. John D. Aldrich, Indianapolis, Indiana
[Jacksonville, Switzerland county, Indiana] September 29, 1862
Dear Brother and Sister,
I received your letter on last Friday and was glad that you answered my letter so soon. We are all well but Mother has had the toothache but is better now. I wish you could come and eat peaches for they are beginning to get ripe now. Garah has been home on furlough but has gone back again and we have got a letter from him. He is well and likes camp life first rate. I received a letter from [cousin] Della Nelson last Friday. They are all well. Uncle John is in the army. Mother has been spinning but she is half done spinning. She has sat down to rest now.
Map of Jefferson township in Switzerland county, Indiana, showing Jacksonville at top of map and Vevay on the Ohio river.
There was an awful alarm the other night. The boys had to go to Vevay two nights to guard it for fear the rebels coming over and the next night they camped out at Center by the meeting house. Mother belongs to the Soldiers’ Aid Society. They meet at Mr. Ransom’s every Thursday afternoon and make things for the soldiers. I will have to quit and read for Mother. I have wrote a letter to Aunt Margaret today and will have to write one tomorrow to Della besides this one. It keeps me writing letters all the time for we get one from Gid every week.
There is not much news to write. I thought I would write but one letter which will do both for I have not much news to write. Esther is not at home now. Jim came and got her 4 weeks ago and has kept her ever since. Today is Rose Stout’s birthday. She is 12 years old. Aunt Ether and Rose have gone up to Ira Stout’s. Their child is dead and is to be buried today.
I will close. No more. John, I was very glad to have you write some. No more. Write soon. Your affectionate sister, — Rosina Markland
To John, Cynthia, Albert & Frank Aldrich
I would like to see you all. Mother sends her love to all. Excuse y small letter paper. It is so very small.
This letter was probably written by Nicholas Sinnott, Jr. (1816-1889) of New Orleans, Louisiana. He was married to Arabella D. Kenaday (1826-1906). For most of his career, Nicholas worked as a coal dealer. He wrote the letter in 1858 to John Calhoun, President of the New Orleans, Jackson, and Great Northern Railroad to complain that his wife’s black nursemaid—a young slave—had been forced to get off the train because the ticket agent was told she was a free black, which prohibited her from entering the State of Mississippi. Apparently she really was a slave but she had been told she was free because it was the intent of her owners to award her manumission papers once the estate was settled.
The irony is that she would have been allowed to remain on the cars and enter Mississippi as a slave but not as a free black.
Transcription
Magnolia, Mississippi December 19, 1858
John Calhoun, Esq. President of N. O. J & G. N. Railroad
Sir—A quadroon girl who has resided in my family both in Mississippi & New Orleans for several years, was compelled to leave the cars by Mr. McGrath on Saturday, 18th inst., leaving my wife with the care of an infant, to come on alone to this place. The case is one of peculiar hardship. My wife was unaware of the regulation excluding free people from Mississippi. The ticket seller gave her a pass to Magnolia for a Colored servant without asking any questions nor did she become aware of the difficulty until called upon by Mr. McGrath for tickets some time after leaving New Orleans. The girl is the daughter of a wealthy planter of Rapides by a slave. The mother was manumitted after her birth, and by an oversight, the child’s name was omitted in the Act. The White family intend to perform this act as soon as the Estate is settled but she is a slave. She was placed in my wife’s charge by her father’s lawful heirs and having been raised respectably in consideration for her feelings, is represented as free. And although my wife explained this as far as was possible for a lady, Mr. McGrath refused to permit her to pass. As my wife feels that she is in a manner responsible for the girl, and moreover, she is my child’s nurse, I hope you will order her to be passed over the road as early as possible. Please notify me that I may order her to come what day. By so doing you will oblige. Yours respectably, — N. Sinnott
The following letter was written by Nathaniel Clayton Manson (1820-1894), the son of Nathaniel John Manson (1782-1859) and Sallie K. Alexander (1779-1861). Nathaniel wrote the letter to his wife, Polly Cary Wilson (1833-1912). From the letter we learn that Polly Cary was visiting her sister Francis or “Fannie” (Wilson) Price (1825-1891), the wife of Charles Allen Price (1822-1892) of Prince Edward Court House, Va. Charles served as a lieutenant in Co. D, 18th Virginia Infantry. Living near Fanny was her sister Ellen (Wilson) Berkeley (1839-1913) and Ellen’s husband, William (“Willie”) Randolph Berkeley (1838-1877) of Farmville. Willie served in the 21st Virginia Infantry.
Lynchburg, Virginia,, ca. 1850. James River and Kanawha Canal at left. Valentine Richmond History Center
Transcription
Lee Wood September 11th 1861
My dear Polly Cary,
I received your very welcome letter Monday and would have answered it yesterday but I was employed the whole day assisting in the assessment of Mr. Steen’s property and did not get back home until sometime after dark. I am very glad to hear that you and the children are so well and am afraid that you and they will be very sorry when the time comes for you to return home. I wish very much I could be with you. I should like so well to spend a few days with sister Fanny and Ellen that I have almost concluded to leave everything up here and meet you there when you return.
I sent the box to Charles today by express. I would have sent it sooner but Mr. Bassot expected to go today and kindly offered to take charge of it and as he is an officer he thought he could probably have it forwarded to him from Manassa at once. This would have been very desirable for I am afraid the potatoes will be damaged if they are detained long on the road. It is now quite uncertain when Mr. B. & Mr. Rassom will leave. Mr. R. rode over to Dr. Armistead’s Monday and returned the next morning completely broken down. He is now a good deal better and is about as well as when you left. I do not think he will be well enough though to join his regiment again this winter. I think his lungs are seriously threatened. Any little walk seems to put him almost as much out of breath as it would William Hopper. All of the other members of his company in the country and Lynchburg are improving very fast except Mr. McSarin who has almost despaired of returning again.
Louisa has just received quite a number of letters from the boys. They write in very fine spirits and seem to enjoy themselves very much in spite of the hard service they have been through. Frank sent a Yankee cartridge box and contents amongst which were a lady’s braid which he says he sometimes wore but as he had some difficulty in making it stay on. He wants it made into a plume for his hat. Frank mentions having been to Munson’s Hill on furlough and witnessing a skirmish between the pickets, and saw the Yankee balloon when it was fired on by our artillery and it came suddenly down. 1
He sends Matty fifty kisses which he say you must deliver and that you must not let Clayton forget him. Lucy is very much interested in the sewing society. She has attended both of the meetings since you left. I believe they are doing very well. Mrs. McDaniel makes an energetic president. The Bolleny’s are doing much better now than at first. I saw the Doctor today and he told me he had htirteen sick soldiers staying with him. This is doing his duty bravely as all should whether in the army or out of it. I should like very much to send you some of Frank’s letters. He gives a very interesting and graphic description of camp life, but [sister] Charlotte I reckon would start down after it even if she could be prevailed on to part with it for a short time. She has been reading them aloud for the second time and commenting on them ever since I have been writing which must be my apology for this badly written and unconnected epistle.
I came here today and as I could not get through all of my business today, I concluded to stay all night and start early in the morning and try and finis tomorrow time enough to get home. I have not yet finished the arrangements for the next year. I have been engaged on it ever since you left with the exception of one day. I will write to you again and give all of the particulars so soon as it is perfected.
We have not heard a word from Willie since he left here. Frank said in his last letter than an order had been issued to prevent their writing again from Manassa for fifteen days. It may be that that Gen. Lee’s Division is under similar orders. I have been trying to sell the crop of wheat but find that there are no persons disposed to buy in Lynchburg. I will have either to keep it longer—which I do not wish to do—or have it ground into flour and sell it in that shape as I can. Charlotte says she would write to you all the news from the boys as she promised but she expects me to do so. She is as restless as ever and has a strange way of doing things as ever. When she found out that Mr. Rassam was not as well as when she left, she wanted very much to send immediately to Gen. Clags 7 miles off for a horse to go home on in the morning to get him some blackberry wine. She has now almost concluded to toast Louisa with her wine and to write to her in regard to it. Lila promised to write to you when I did but her letter was not finished when I left home. But you will get it in a few days.
I called at E’s today and found Sally and Miss Hope from home. They are at Dr. Lemmon’s and for the first time I allowed myself to be provoked by my relation. I do not think she means anything by it but it was disagreeable so I left the house at once in no very good humor. I will give you the particulars when I see you.
Give my best love to Ellen, Patty, and sister Fanny. Tell sister Fanny she must keep the honey until I can come down. All here and at home send their love. Yours truly, — N. C. Manson
I send a map of Manassa drawn by Frank. Be sure and take care of it. Charlotte does not know it.
1 “I had the pleasure of seeing Prof. Lowe’s balloon, and am sure his observations were of little account to him. The Yankee experiment of ballooning came near receiving a great ‘”pull back,”’ by the firing upon the balloon spy by the Washington Artillery. Several shots were fired at it, when it immediately ‘”went down.”’ Don’t suppose, however, ‘”anybody was hurt.”’ But, nevertheless. somebody was scared, for the balloon suddenly disappeared and did not come up again.” Correspondent for the Richmond Daily Dispatch dated September 6, 1861.
The following letters were written by William Wallace Andrews [Andrus] (1845-1907) who enlisted on 30 November 1863 at Malone, New York, to serve in Co. M, 11th New York Cavalry. William’s enlistment records inform us that he was born in Malone, New York; that he was a farmer by occupation; and that he stood 5 feet 8.5 inches tall, with blue eyes, brown hair, and a light complexion. For William, this was his second tour of duty. He first enlisted as a private in Co. G, 92nd New York Infantry, on 30 December 1861 but was discharged for disability less than four months later. When he enlisted that time he claimed to be 19 years old but his birth record tells us he had really only just turned 16.
I couldn’t find a picture of William but here is one of James Jones of Co. K.
While serving in the 11th New York Cavalry, William was taken prisoner at New Orleans by guerrillas in August 1864 and he was held for 17 days before he was exchanged and returned to his regiment. He was then taken prisoner a second time near Memphis on 19 April 1865 and soon after exchanged.
William was the son of Winant Andrus (1812-Bef1850) and Eliza A. Vaum (or Vaughan) (1823-1898). By the time of the Civil War, Eliza had taken John C. Butler (1812-1864) as her second husband and had three or four children with him. John Butler also served in the war, volunteering in December 1863 as a private in Co. M, 6th New York Heavy Artillery. Unfortunately he did not survive the war. He died of disease on 26 December 1864 at the Judiciary Square Hospital in Washington D. C. when he was 52 years old. John Butler is referred to as the “Old Man” in these letters.
William died in 1907 and was buried in Hillcrest Cemetery, Parishville, St. Lawrence county, New York.
Letter 1
Addressed to Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Butler, Parishville, St. Lawrence Co., New York
Camp Relief Washington D. C. December 26, 1863
Dear Father & Mother.
I now seat myself for the purpose of answering your letter which I had the pleasure of receiving this afternoon and I answer you. I was very glad to hear from you. The present time finds me at Camp Relief, the headquarters of the regiment to which I belong. I am well and enjoying god health and hope this will find you in the enjoyment of the same blessing. I have been down to the city on a pass today and had a pretty good time.
I wrote to Parker to draw my money for me before I received your letter and if he has not got it, I want you to get it for me and buy that piece of land you spoke about for me. I am about out of money down here and if you get that 300, please send me 5 or $10 and some postage stamps. If Parker has drawn the money, you take the line to him that I have wrote on the other side of this sheet and get the money.
Father, if you enlist, come down here in this regiment. It is one of the best regiments there is. We have plenty to eat and nothing to do. I have had no duty to do yet. I will close now hoping to hear from you soon. So goodbye. From your son, — William A. [W.] Andrus
To my Father and Mother
Direct your letter the same as before and write as soon as you get this.
Letter 2
[Camp Relief, Washington D. C.] January 29, 1864
Dear Mother,
I will write a few lines in answer to your kind letter. I received it the 28th. I am well and enjoy good health and I hope this letter will find you all well and enjoying the same blessing. I am glad to hear that three of them are a getting well or better. Poor Charley. I feel sorry for you. I hope you will get well again.
I was on patrol to Georgetown. I helped take two prisoners and helped put them in the guard house.
The weather is warm as summer here now. I see the officers pull down a house where a family lived because they sold whiskey. I have got new horse equipments today.
Dear sister, I am thankful to you for the few lines you wrote to me. I hope you will write more next time. The talk is now that we shall have to leave here before long. Have you all got one of my pictures? If not, I will send some to you. I will close my letter by saying goodbye to you all. — W. W. Andrus
Letter 3
[Camp Relief, Washington D. C.] February 18, 1864
My dearly mother and friends,
I take this opportunity to write a few lines to you. I am well and hearty as I ever was in my life and I hope this letter will find you enjoying the same blessing. This regiment is here yet and I do not know how long it will remain here. It was talked for a while that we should leave here this week on Wednesday. Perhaps we shall stay here all this spring and summer. At any rate, I hope we stay here until I get my pay before we leave this place.
Mother, I wish you could send me eighteen or twenty dollars and I will get a furlough and come home. All of the old soldiers got their pay but the new recruits did not get paid this time. If you ever want to see me again, now is your only chance for if I have to go to Texas, I think it will be a chance if we ever see each other’s faces again on earth. You cannot imagine how I want to see all of you.
I have written to the Old Man and have not got any answer from him yet. Now I want you should answer this letter as soon as you can without delay. From — William W. Andrus
Letter 4
[New Orleans, Louisiana] March 11th 1864
Dear affectionate mother,
I take this opportunity to answer your kind letter. I got it today. I was glad to hear from you once more and you were all well again. It found me in rather poorly. I am sick with the fever ague and one of my legs is swollen very bad. I am in the city of New Orleans. We came all the way by water on the Atlantic Ocean and I was seasick as a horse. We lost eleven horses on the water and since. Some of the way it was rough. It was fine weather most of the time on our journey from Washington.
I want some money now but we have not got our pay yet. Mother, as soon as we get our pay I will send most of it home. We have been mustered in for our pay. Possibly we may get paid in a week or two. We have had to move three times in this city. We are in an old cotton press—a very comfortable place. The weather is fair and warm as summer time. The fruit trees are in blossom. It is a nice place here. We are stationed close to the Mississippi river where the ships are a passing all the time but there is so many guards all through the city that we shall not have a chance to go out much without we run the guards.
Our food is hard tack, pork, sometimes beef and potatoes. There is a good chance to spend money [on] pies, cakes, oranges, apples, and all such nice things that anyone could wish to eat. I do not think of much news to write. I have sent letters to the Old Man but I have not had any answer so I will close by saying farewell to you all.
Mother, the [doctor] says I have got the inflammatory rheumatism. My legs is swollen very bad and they are very painful. I am not able to walk a step. Direct your letters to New Orleans, Louisiana.
— W. W. Andrus
Letter 5
Headquarters Detachment “Scott’s 900” Doyles Plantation, Louisiana April 26th, 1864
Dear Mother,
I embrace the present opportunity of penning you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along down here. The present time finds me enjoying good health and hope this will find you also well.
There has nothing of any importance transpired here since I wrote to you before. We still occupy the same place that we did and probably will stay here for some time as we commenced cutting posts to build a stockade around our quarters yesterday. Sunday morning some guerrillas came within a mile of our camp and fired upon one of the pickets. There was parts of our company went out after them but they did not catch any of them.
Sunday night about ten o’clock the news came into camp that the rebs had come in on the next plantation and every man had to saddle up his horse. A scouting party was sent out after them but did not catch any of them. Yesterday I had to help chop posts for the stockade. It seems more like the middle of summer here than it does like April. Peaches are as large as hen eggs and plums are large enough to cook and corn and sugar cane is from 6 to 10 inches high. All you have to do here to bake a cake is to put it out on a board in the sun a little while and the sun will bake it.
We don’t get hardly any news about the war here and don’t know whether they are fighting anywhere or whether peace has been declared or whether Abe Lincoln has resigned or Jeff Davis hung. All we know here about the war is what we do down here in the shape of hunting bushwhackers and taking mules or confiscating molasses or sugar from some old fellow’s sugar house.
When you write, tell me all the news if there is any, and whether they are going to drafting again up there and if there is any more enlisting around there, all about everything and everybody, if there is any of the girls around there going to get married, and if they are, who they are going to get married to. I would like to hear from some of them around there as I have not had a letter from any of them since I have been down here. Tell the Old Man where I am and that I am well and tell him where to direct a letter to me and when he writes to me, I will write to him. I have written 3 or 4 to him and don’t think I shall write again until I get a letter from him. Tell him I like soldiering first rate down here.
Has the old man got any of his pay yet? I have got no pay yet. When you write, send me soe stamps as we cannot get them down here for love no money. Have you heard anything more about my town bounty? or wrote to Uncle William to see about it at Moline? Tell the girls that I ain’t seen a white woman in three months and would give five dollars for a lock of hair from some of them. It is the most inhuman, forsaken place here you ever saw. Nothing but niggers, guerrillas and mules.
I get milk here twice a day all the time which helps was down my salt horse and hard tack. I can’t think of anything more to write so hoping to hear from you soon, I will close. From your son, — W. W. Andrus
Direct to Co. M, Scott’s 900, NYS Vol. Cavalry, New Orleans, La., Department of the Gulf
Letter 6
Memphis, Tennessee March 14th 1865
Dear Mother,
I now take my pen in hand to write these few lines to you in answer to yours of the 18th which was duly received this morning. I can assure you it gave me great pleasure to hear that you was well and enjoying good health as this leave me at present.
Your letter brings good news to me [illegible]. I wonder who got [ ] the most—her or Mary? I should judge the former. I should like to know if you sold that land to the McClure’s. If you did and they have not yet paid you, I want you should [ ] the bargain and I will buy it from you before I will let them have. I will give $290 for it. I don’t want they should have it anyhow.
I don’t think that you had better go to Potsdam for there you would have to buy your wood and everything for family use. The weather here is very fine indeed. Rather warm sometimes and other times quite cold.
The boys have just come in off a ten days raid through Mississippi. They did not do much of any account. Well, I can’t think of any importance to write so I think that I shall have to close. I remain your son, — W. W. Andrus
The following letters were written by Albert “James” Andrews [Andrus] (1841-1862) who enlisted at the age of 21 on 12 September 1861 at Potsdam, New York, to serve as a private in Co. B, 16th New York Volunteers—the “First St. Lawrence County Regiment.” James served in the Peninsula Campaign and remained with the regiment until 1 December 1862 when he was taken sick and carried to the camp hospital where he died on 13 December. He was buried at Belle Plain Landing, Va.
James was the son of Winant Andrus (1812-Bef1850) and Eliza A. Vaum (or Vaughan) (1823-1898). By the time of the Civil War, Eliza had taken John C. Butler (1812-1864) as her second husband and had three or four children with him. John Butler also served in the war, volunteering in December 1863 as a private in Co. M, 6th New York Heavy Artillery. Unfortunately he did not survive the war. He died of disease on 26 December 1864 at the Judiciary Square Hospital in Washington D. C. when he was 52 years old. John Butler is referred to as the “Old Man” in these letters.
Letter 1
[Five miles from Richmond] May 25th [?] 1862
Dear Mother,
It is with much pleasure that I take my pen to let you know that I am well and hope these few lines will find you all the same. We are five miles from Richmond. We had a little fight yesterday. We drove the enemy. We had none hurt. I heard Wm. has gone home. The corn is fit to hoe. The old man is tough as a bear. He is gone into the artillery.
Write as soon as you get this. Tell all the particulars. Try to plant something this spring. I can’t think of anything more to write. Goodbye for this time. — James A. Andrus [Andrews]
Direct your letters to Co. B, 16th Regt. New York
Letter 2
June 26, 1862
Dear Mother,
I now take my pen to let you know what I am a doing and [how] I am a doing. I am well and hope this will find you all the same. We are very near Richmond. We have a good time here and I think that we will be home this fall—perhaps sooner. They are a fighting today. The cannon roars like thunder. They will not find fun as I am sitting by candle light in my tent. I saw the old man today. He is well and tough as a bear. He is camped close to me. I see him every day. He told me to tell you that he would send you some money as soon as he could draw some pay. He did not draw any pay this pay day. I did not get any money but I will have fifty dollars due me when I draw pay next time. But I want to keep my money until I get there. I want to buy that farm when I get home.
Tell William to be a good boy and try to do well as he can this summer. I have a good time here but I would like to be home now.
They are fighting yet. It is after dark now. I will have to stop for tonight. My fingers are getting tired but I will [write] a little more. I want you to tell all the news and what all the folks is a doing up in the woods. I want to tell John that I say that when I get land, that we have a dance and have a good time a hunting. I just stole a large cherrie [pie] from the sutler today, sold it for a little money, and I sent 1 dollar to Edward and George to get them some books so that they can go to school and when I can get some more I will send some more. I want them to learn to read.
Well, I wish you would tell to me more than you do. I have wrote four letters to you and have not had any answers. I want you to write as soon as you get this. So goodbye for this time. From your absent son, — James Andrus
Co. B, 16th Regt. N. Y. S. V.
Ten minutes later. We have just received news from the fight. Our boys have beat the enemy roundly and are within two miles of Richmond. The city of Richmond is ours, or a part of the same.
Letter 3
Camp of the 16th Regt. July 20th 1862
Dear Mother,
I now take my pen to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and hope these few lines will find all of the folks enjoying the same. I received your letter last week but did not have time to answer it until now. I was over to the ninety-second today. I saw George C___ and Collier. I think that we will get our discharge this fall.
We had a hard fight the other day but I did not get hurt at all. I sent one dollar to George and Edward to get their [ ] books and will send some more in here if I can get it. I did not send any last pay day. I want to send enough to pay the land when I get home. Tell N__ to pile up the lumber so that it will keep. I want you to tell me all the particulars when you write and what all of the folks are a doing up in the woods. I have wrote many letters and one got one. Write soon as you get this and write often. I gave the old man the letter that you sent him. He is well. He has wrote to you two letters. He will send you some money as soon as he can get. I wrote to [ ] but have not got any answer yet.
Write as soon as you get this and tell all of the particulars. I cannot think of any more now so goodbye for this time. — James A. Andrus
The following letter was written by William Jasper Andrews (1840-1909) of Vermillion county, Indiana, who enlisted on 11 August 1862 as a private in Co. D, 85th Indiana Infantry. He mustered out three years later at Washington D. C. on 12 June 1865.
Jasper was the son of William Andrews (1807-1879) and Jane Wellman (1811-1879) of St. Bernice, Vermillion county, Indiana. Jasper’s father was a tanner & currier from Ohio. His mother was born in Kentucky. In 1870, Jasper married Amanda Minerva Davis (1846-1918) and lived out his days in Vermillion county as a farmer.
Transcription
Nashville, Tennessee February 24th 1863
Dear Cousin,
I received your letter the other day with the greatest of pleasure. I was glad to hear from you. We have had a general movement since I wrote the other letter when we was at Danville, Kentucky, and I will try to answer your letter. I am well at present and I hope you are enjoying the same blessing. We are camped 7 miles south of Nashville and we are looking for an attack every day but I don’t think there is any such good luck [for] the Rebels to attack us here.
I was glad when we left Kentucky but we are now in Tennessee which is not any better than Kentucky—only we are advancing on the Rebels. The governor has called us to hold a meeting here to get the opinion of the soldiers and to make a proposition whether we shall settle this war or the people at home. I think if those Democrats don’t carry themselves straight and quit kicking up a disturbance, we will be apt to send a regiment or two back there to take charge of them. But I hope we won’t have to send any troops back there in old Indiana. Long as they keep cutting up in the North, it will make the South stand in arms some many months longer against us. There has been several back there at home writing to the soldiers here for them to desert and come home for this is nothing but a abolitionists’ war and they are fighting for the negroes. I think the man who would write such stuff back to the army is not right in his heart and is not true to his country. There was a great many men scared before they heard about the President’s last proclamation. I think it is the best thing that ever was put in force towards helping to put this rebellion down. Any way to put it down. I think this proclamation will weaken the South considerable.
Well, you was saying something about Edward Andrews. I have not had any letter from him for some time. the last time I heard from him he was at Indianapolis. He was taken prisoner. Well, I must close. I would like to know where Uncle Ethan is. I have not heard from him for some time. Write soon. So no more at present.
This letter was written by Francis (“Frank”) Markoe (1801-1872), the son of Francis and Sally (Caldwell) Markoe. Following his graduation from Middlebury College in 1823, Markoe studied law in the law office of John Sergeant in Philadelphia and practiced for two years. He then entered government service (1832-1861) serving as Chief, U.S. Consular Bureau and then in the Diplomatic Bureau. He married Mary Galloway Maxey in 1834. He died in Baltimore, Maryland.
An interesting vignette concerning Markoe involves his candidacy for the position as Secretary of the new Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. in 1846. The following was said of Markoe:
In his mid-forties, Markoe was a clerk in the Diplomatic Bureau of the State Department, as well as the corresponding secretary of the National Institute for the Promotion of Science, an organization based in Washington and founded with the hope of receiving the Smithson bequest to establish a national museum. Markoe had a botanical collection and was recognized as a mineralogist of some ability. But his most important qualification for the position of secretary was his extensive political connections. He claimed President James K. Polk, as well as current and former members of Congress and cabinet members, among his supporters. His selection would be a sign that the secretaryship was a post to be awarded on the basis of political patronage.
Markoe didn’t get the selection, however. He was passed over for Joseph Henry, a professor of natural philosophy & physics at the College of New Jersey.
Frank wrote the letter to James McHenry Boyd. He was the first husband of Anna Eliza Boyd Barnard (nee Hall). He is mentioned by Fanny Adeline Seward in her 1862-1863 diary as “the groom” when she recounts the unfortunate story of his brief marriage: “the very day of her [Anna Barnard’s] wedding day, while on their tour, the couple stopped at a hotel, in Philadelphia, I believe. Both were preparing for dinner when the groom was stooping over his open trunk and a loaded pistol there went off and killed him!” Boyd died in December 1847.
Transcription
Washington [D. C.] 21 May 1847
Mary & my father got here last night. They propose to go to W. River next Tuesday by railroad to Annapolis.
[George W.] Hughes 1 reached Washington Monday night last, stayed Tuesday & started for W. K. Wednesday morning. He will be back most likely next week, middle or end. My chief object in writing to you now is to impart a kind of secret which you may revolve in your own mind in connection with any remaining ambition you may have on the subject of going to Mexico. The President & [Secretary] Marcy have expressed a wish that he would take command of the Battalion that C. L. Jones expected to command but which was never intended to be given him. Hughes is willing to take it as Lt. Col., drill the body severely here for some time, & then proceed with them by [ ]. I spoke to him of you and he will be charmed if you will go with him. So you must see him as soon as you can. I let you know when he arrives here unless you choose to go down to W. River.
I was aware that something of the sort was in prospect before Hughes returned. When he returned he told me of it & desired me to say nothing about it because he meant to leave it to the President & Marcy to fix it their own way, but I spoke to him in reference to you immediately. Now, however, I think the matter will be generally known because this morning Major Scott, the Navy Agent, told me all about it as a thing known at the Department among many officers and I thought it well to drop you a line.
Hughes was carried to the field of battle Cerro Gordo in an ambulance & lifted into the saddle so he saw all & had a fair chance of being shot, as he was talking to General Scott when a ball knocked off a mule’s head close by them.
Henry, this letter writing is so unsatisfactory compared with talking. So find your way here somehow or other soon. I hope your knee is better. What do you hear from James & how is he? I got a letter two days ago from Ramsey in answer to the papers, &c. I sent him some time ago. He repeats your monstrous notion about the [ ] being Principles.
In haste. Affectionately yours, — Francis Markoe, Jr.
P. S. If you have any Revolutionary autographs, or such as you may have got in Europe & England [ ] may bring or send me some.
I. McH Boyd, Esq.
I have opened this letter to say that Mr. [Richard] Pakenham has just called in at my office to pay his final adieu. He goes to Baltimore tomorrow and says he will make it a point to see you & will inquire of your whereabouts from W. McLane whom he will see. He takes with him all our best feeling & wishes & hopes for a return to this country. Has leave of absence for two years & expects to return & will no doubt, unless promoted to some higher post.
1 George Wurtz Hughes (1806-1870) attended the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1823 to 1827, having been appointed by Caleb Baker, but was not commissioned and instead became a civil engineer in New York City. In 1829, Hughes began to work for the New York State Canal Commission. Hughes was appointed to the United States Army on July 7, 1838, as captain of Topographical Engineers. In 1840, he was sent to Europe by the War Department on an inspection tour of mines, public works and military fortifications. Hughes subsequently served in the Mexican–American War, acting as chief engineer on the staff of General John E. Wool in 1846 and General William J. Worth in 1847. He was brevetted major of Topographical Engineers on April 18, 1847 for gallant and meritorious conduct during the Battle of Cerro Gordo. Hughes was promoted to lieutenant colonel of a regiment of Maryland and District of Columbia Volunteers on August 4, 1847, and to colonel on October 1, 1847. In December 1847, he was appointed civil and military governor of the Department of Jalapa and Perote in Veracruz. Hughes was later brevetted lieutenant colonel of Topographical Engineers on May 30, 1848 for meritorious conduct while in Mexico. He was honorably mustered out of the volunteer service on July 24, 1848. From 1849 to 1850, he served as chief engineer of the Panama Railroad, resigning from the regular army on August 4, 1851.
The following letter was written by Albert Sheldon Wood (1844-1923), the son of Silas R. Wood (1811-1857) and Lucy Barber (1816-1904) of Wyoming, Washington county, Rhode Island. Seventeen year-old Albert was working at the Hope Valley Mill when he enlisted in Battery F, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery. He served three years and then returned to Hope Valley to work in the machinist’s trade.
In his letter, Albert asks his mother to give his regards to his sister Sarah Wood (1838-1918) who married Benjamin Franklin (“Frank”) Crandall (1833-1896), and also to his sister Angelina (“Lena”) Wood (1847-1940).
Transcription
Addressed to Mrs. Silas R. Wood, Wyoming Post Office, Rhode Island
At Newbern, North Carolina 1st Regiment, Co. F, USA Artillery January 4th 1863
Dear Mother,
I received my gloves tonight and was very glad to get them and to hear from you. I like them very much. I am well. I wrote you a letter since I returned from our march and wrote all the particulars and if you don’t get it I will write another and write all about the battery. You say you are sorry you couldn’t send any things but never mind. I guess I can get along without them at present. You wrote that you heard that I sent Abby Bates my daguerreotype. Well, I did, and as soon as can get a pass, I will go down town and have one taken for you and send it. You say you wish this war was ended and so do I and I don’t much care how it ends for there is so many traitors in our army that it never will be settled by fighting. I want to see you and the rest of my folks but I don’t know as I ever shall for it seems like a long look. I think of home and of you all the time and wonder if I shall ever see you again. When I look around and see how the officers of this army is going on to make money, I wish that they had to come down to $13 a month and see if they would prolong the war as they do now. But let them go on and see where they will fetch up.
Tell Lina I received three papers last night and found a good lot of news that was interesting to me. You need not write again until you get another letter from me for I expect within forty-eight hours to leave here. We expect to go by water and see some very hard fighting before we return. I hope I shall get back as safe as I did before. I don’t know as we shall come back to New Bern again but as soon as we do stop at any place, I will write and let you know. Give my love to Sarah and Frank and Oscar and Lina and to all inquiring friends. As I can think of no more at present, I will close.
These letters were written by Frank Ashley (1834-1926) of Co. H, 64th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). Frank enlisted on 4 November 1861 to serve three years. He was appointed corporal on 1 May 1864 and mustered out with the company on 3 December 1865 in Victoria, Texas. Frank wrote the letters to his future wife, Celesta Ewing (1845-1868) at Plymouth, Richland county, Ohio. His parents were Jonah Ashley (1797-1862) and Sarah Hawks (1799-1875).
These letter were among the 125 letters written by Ashley sold by Heritage Auctions some time ago. I transcribed one other letter of Frank’s from a separate private collection back in 2018 that described the losses experienced by the regiment and, in particular, of his company at the Battle of Rocky Face Ridge where the 64th OVI participated in a charge on the enemy’s breastworks that was over in minutes and “gained nothing.” See—1864: Frank Ashley to Celesta (Ewing) Ashley on Spared & Shared 7.
Letter 1
Mrs. C. A. Ashley, Shelby P. O., Richland county, Ohio (Envelope bears a New Orleans, La., December 1865 postmark so is not accurately paired with this letter)
Camp near Savannah, Tennessee Co. H, 64th OVI April 14, 1862
Dear Love,
It is with much pleasure that I address you these few lines. May you the same.
We have left our former camp at Nashville. Have been on the road for 16 days. Some days we only move 100 rods. The roads are awful and full of teams. There are four divisions here. There is between 7 and 8 hundred teams so you can give some kind of a guess what kind of a road we have here as it rained for a week. But we have got within half mile of the river but cannot tell when we can get on the boat.
The battle [at Pittsburg Landing] went off the fore part of last week. The rebels were drove bad with a heavy loss and out troops have them surrounded now, I believe. Our boys did not get close enough to kill any of them but close enough to hear the cannon balls whistle over their heads.
I have not heard from you for three or four weeks. Our mail has come now but it is with the regiment and account of not having time, I have not written. But you must excuse me for this time and will do better in time to come. We are in hopes that this battle will be the last. The whole force of the South is here. They fought well but they have to give up now. The particulars I will not give you at present but probably you have the news now. I have not been on the battlefield yet but our boys have been there for most a week.
I am driving the Hospital team now and therefore am not with the rest of them. But though far away, I do not forget my love. I often think of her and times past and to come. But I began to think that you would think I had if I did not write soon. I had two letters wrote to send with William Hoos but was on picket guard when he left and did not have a chance to send them by mail as the regiment was ready to start when we came in so you see I did not send them and have not had a chance since. I have it in knapsack at present.
I had to stop writing to move our wagons to a different place. We were in a young orchard and the old chap complained of us and we had to move but now we are all right again and part of the boys that are with me are in bad [shape] so you see I will have full [sweep?] and probably you will think so too when you see this letter. But you know who wrote it and you know what kind of a chap I am. But I tell you [the] truth, I may be reclaimed yet if I fall into the right kind of hands. But you know I always was a bad boy from my youth up. But that will do.
Tell Sarah that I made that choice for her. I shall have to describe him. In the first place, he has a nice little nose—about something like a hawk’s nose, turns down a little, and big pair of bussers [?] and pretty eyes and curly hair, and very small around the waist. Only 4 feet and about 5 feet high. He is a handsome little fellow and I think if she could see him, she would have nothing to say to that other chap. You must excuse this foolishness and burn this letter or not let any see it for I know would not care what I wrote but that is just as I feel and you cannot blame me for it. But this is about full and here is some more. But as I said before, you must excuse this. You would repent. You would relent. You would consent, to marry me…
Letter 2
Camp near Pittsburg Landing Co. H, 64th OVI April 17th 1862
Dear love,
It is with pleasure that I embrace the present opportunity of writing to you but would do me more good to talk to you where I get sight of yourrosy lips and cheeks. It would be a great pleasure to me and to you also, I guess, but as we we have not that chance, I will take this way of talking to you. It does me some good but which I was down to your camp to get some sugar to eat and a wet kiss from you.
I am well at present and the rest are also in our company. I saw Hart Wood today. He is in camp near us. He is in tyhe 57th [Ohio] Regiment. He is well and some 8 or 10 more Auburn boys in the same company. Their regiment was in the fight here last week but the boys come out right and are well satisfied. The 15th [Ohio] Regiment was in the fight also—the one that Trago is in. Their camp is three-quarters of a mile from us. So you see we are all together. But I did not expect to find Hart Wood here. I was astonished when I heard he was here.
We are camped on the battleground. There is camps for miles each way from us. But we expect to move off the battle ground in a day or two for it is a disagreeable place to stay on account of dead horses and so on. This was the heaviest battle that has been yet. More men engaged in it and more killed and wounded. But probably this will be the last. I hope so. I hope that this can be settled without another fight. But if not, we are ready to fight it out. We have men enough for it, I think. We have more than the opposing party have. But may God speed the day when this thing will be settled and all return home to their families and homes once more. And to their sweethearts, for I have one that I think a good deal of, you well know, and one that I can place confidence in adn love dearly.
I got a letter from you today dated March 28th and was glad to hear from you. I also wrote last week to you but that makes no difference. And there is one more in here which I wrote at Nashville and did not get a chance to send it. I will send it also with the rest, or this one. But I must close soon.
I cannot tell you all the mischief that we done while on the road as I was with the teams and did not get to the regiment for a week. We had plenty of fresh meat while on the road. There was a large train of teams. We had to go 5 miles for feed and had to pack it on mules and horses which was nice work for us and I mind one day that we got a bag full of ducks which was very good for sick. But that did not satisfy some of them for they were wishing that [they could] see there old duck at home. But I would be satisfied if I could see my young duck. Probably you never saw here but I think you have. But must close with excusing myself for something I wrote in that other letter. No more at present. From one that loves you dearly. Yours with love. Your lover. Give my love to all. So goodbye. — F
Direct to Nashville, Tenn. Co. H, 64th OVI Care Capt. C. R. Lord
Letter 3
Camp near Mooresville, Alabama July 3rd 1862 Co. H, 64th Regt. OV, 20th Brigade and 6th Division [Army of the Ohio]
Dear Love,
I find a little more time to write to you. We have moved 8 miles east of Decatur in a very nice place. This probably where we will [have] our 4th [of July]—a little different from last year, but hoping you will enjoy yourself contrary to expectation which I made when I left home. But it is different from expectation of all of us. But we are good for it any they take us. the 64th is all right yet. But it is hopeful that this war will soon be over and we can return home to our homes and to our loved ones whom we love dearly. But God only knows when that will be, but hope it will be soon.
But I am looking for us to be stationed at some place. If so, we cannot leave till we are relieved by regular troops along the railroad running from Memphis to Chattanooga. We are going to Chattanooga but the citizens say will [never] get there for this war will be ended before we reach that point. That is near Virginia and North Carolina line. If this war does not close for some time, we will be in Virginia—at least I think so. But I may [ ] wrong, but time will tell all these things.
But to my health, it is better than when I last wrote to you. That [was] five or six days ago. But I am gaining slowly. I have been out twice since I got better after forage. I have to see to getting that but have not tended to it for some time on the account of being [sick]. I was comfortable sick for three days and on the move too. I had some kind of a fever but now I am better.
James is well. He was on picket at Mooresville. They said that the town was full of girls but all secesh. But they would not marry till we stopped fighting. Then I think we can make union, but I would rather have one that’s already Union—the one that lives in Ohio near Old George Bloom’s across the woods. Dear, I remain the same to you as ever and remember [me] as your lover.
Love to all from the one that loves you, — F. Ashley to C. A. E.
Letter 4
Camp near Mooresville, Alabama Sunday, July 13, 1862 Co. H, 64th Regt. OVI, direct to Huntsville, Alabama
Dear Lest,
It is with pleasure that I address you these few lines. I am enjoying good health at present—better than usual—better than [when] I last wrote. We are still at Mooresville or near there. Do not know how long we will stay here. The batteries are leaving now. Do not know where they are going to. Our regiment is at Decatur guarding the town. I do not know how long they will stay there. It is 6 miles from our camp. They are running ferry boat across the Tennessee river. Mitchell’s men have left there.
The boys are all well. James is well and in fine spirits. I received your letter mailed the 16th and have answered it but that makes no difference. I will answer it again. I am always glad to hear from those that I love. I got one from Leanora also and have answered it but have not sent it yet. Will send them all at once.
Love, I cannot write a large letter this time and therefore you must excuse me but I remain the same to you as ever—your lover and friend—one that is true to you. I heard some things by way of a friend of mine how things are going about home, but Love, never mind what folks say about you or me. Tell them to mind their own business and let others alone. Love, I have not forgot you nor the pleasant times we spent together nor never will.
It is hard to tell when we will come home. It is highly probable that we will serve our time out as near—it is most one year now, but it is hopeful that this war will soon be over and the weary and lonely soldier can return to his peaceful home and friends—and enemies. If they were here, I would not mind them but they are there and I am here but who cares for them for I know that you are true to your promise and I know that you love me, I have no fears on that score. But Love, if my life is spared, I shall be with you some day. God knows all things but death is in the land and I do not know but that we are just as safe here as at home. I do not know as there is more deaths than at home according to the number of men. There is ten to one here to what there is at home. But enough of that for this time.
Love, it will be owing to how they get along in Virginia when we get home. The 21st Brigade left today or this afternoon. General Wood went to Hunstville. His headquarters will be there. I do not know when we will move but are looking for orders every day. But I must close. You must excuse this poor writing for my book is my desk when laid on my knee is complete but I have to write in a hurry and make mistakes. I have not had time to write Sarah but give her my best respects and your Father & Mother also.
I still remain you affectionate friend and lover, from one that loves you. Remaining yours as ever, — F. Ashley
To C. A. Ewing
Note: These letter were among the 125 letters written by Ashley sold by Heritage Auctions some time ago. I transcribed one other letter of Frank’s from a separate private collection back in 2018 that described the losses experienced by the regiment and, in particular, of his company at the Battle of Rocky Face Ridge where the 64th OVI participated in a charge on the enemy’s breastworks that was over in minutes and “gained nothing.” See—1864: Frank Ashley to Celesta (Ewing) Ashley on Spared & Shared 7.
Letter 5
In front of Atlanta, Georgia Camp of the 64th Ohio Volunteers August 21, 1864
Dear and affectionate wife,
I have the privilege of answering your letter of the 12th of August. It was read with pleasure. It came on the first train through. It found me well and enjoying very good times but not as good as if I were at home.
Well, Let, we have very quiet times with the occasional firing of canons of which the Rebs take a part but of no damage to us. On the morning of the 19th we were aroused by the firing of our cannons which lasted for about one hour but of what effect, am not able to say. The morning before, the Rebs done the same trick on the 17th Corps. It made warm times for them but they did not get the start of the 4th and 20th Corps for once at least.
The Rebs made a charge on the 16th Corps on the 18th and one of the 20th but were repulsed with heavy loss. At one time the Rebs drove one division from the works but Gen. Howard rallied them and charged back and gained the works back and held them. But I have not heard the strate [?] of the battle so I cannot give you the particulars of it. We have all kinds of reports here. One is from a reb prisoner. He says that they were called up into line and told that this war would end in 30 days and that Hood says that he a going to make his word good. Says that he is not a going to leave Atlanta but he will soon have to do something soon.
It is reported that Kill Patrick [Kilpatrick] has cut both roads but I remember that I wrote this in the former letter which will accompany this as I wrote previous so as to send it at the forst opportunity.
We have very pleasant weather here with frequent showers of rain. The health is good in general. James is well but we miss Marion very much.
Well, I suppose that these Hundred Day [men] will soon return home, probably never more to take part in this struggle. Hope we will not need them more but tey have been of service to us here in keeping the rear all right.
Well, Let, so you think by you marrying me was a benefit to the Army. I suppose Silas though that would relieve his mind by going to Dixie it might his, but not so with me for I am sure I could stay North very contentedly. I noticed in your last letter that Mary McGinnis was married on the 4th of August. I wish her all the joy possible.
Well, I must close as it is raining and it is bed time. Excuse mistakes as I wrote in a hurry and bothered a little by the boys running in their short tails and know I am very timid. Write soon. Gove my love to all. I remain your very faithful husband, — Frank
Letter 6
Camp in the Woods, South of Eastpoint, Ga. Monday, August 29, 1864
Dear Let,
Having a little time this afternoon, I thought I would write a few lines to you. I received a letter from you on the 24th but did not have an opportunity of answering it as we left our main line of works and moved to the right and have been moving for the last four days. The whole army has moved left, two Corps to guard our rear, and at present the remainder of the army are 15 miles south of Atlanta. I do not think that there ever was such a move known since Noah’s Ark was built. I do not know what the Johnny boys think of the move but no doubt they are going south as fast as their legs can move them. We have not met with any serious opposition as yet but don’t know when we may encounter them. But if they want to fight, they will make the attack.
Our Division made good works this forenoon and are in them but do not know how long we will stay here. Our line runs across the railroad running to Montgomery, Alabama. Do not know how much further it extends.
Well, dear wife, I will close for this time for we cannot send the mail out. I look for a mail soon—probably tonight. Then I will write more particulars about the move and the termination. We are laying in front of the rebs at present. Well, dear Let, goodbye. Love to all. Write soon. — Frank
Camp of the 64th OVI near Lovejoy Station, Ga. September 3, 1864
Dear Let,
Having an opportunity of corresponding with you, I gladly improve the opportunity of doing so. It has been some time since I could send letters back but at present our rear is cleared of Rebs and Atlanta is in our possession. It was occupied by the Feds on the 2nd of this month by the 20th Corps. The remainder of the army is here about 30 miles south of Atlanta. Sherman proved to be too much for Hood. We had their army cut in two and suppose it is yet. There has been three or four battles fought in the last three days in which the rebs were badly whipped. When the last of Hood’s army left Atlanta, they destroyed 80 carloads of artillery, ammunition, and all their magazines. It has been one of the grandest movements of the war. We had no communication after the first two days of starting. The taking of Atlanta was an easy job when Old Billy got started.
Well, Let, this leaves me well and as usual in good spirits. A few more such defeats will bring the rebs to their feelings. I should think that they would know it by this time.
Dear Let, I suppose you will be looking and wondering why Frank does not write. Well, I will tell you. It was because I could not send it to you and when we left, it was rather sudden. So you must excuse me for the present. You may rest assured you were not forgotten by me. I do not think you do. I am not afraid of that part. Well, I must hasten. Excuse poor writing for I am laboring under many difficulties. James is very well. Two of James Gruesbeck’s boys died about the 21st of August. Walter was wounded which was the cause of his death.
The following letters were written by Nathaniel Jacob Beachley (1831-1908), a native of Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia who was practicing medicine in Vernon, Jennings county, Indiana, when the Civil War began in 1861. In the first year of the war he organized Co. H, 26th Indiana Volunteers and served with that company until mustering out on 24 February 1863 to accept a commission as Assistant Surgeon of the 22nd Indiana Volunteers. In April 1864, he was commissioned Major Surgeon of the 69th Indiana Volunteers.
In his first letter, datelined from Vernon, Indiana, in late April 1861, he describes himself as an “old batch” though his biography states that he was married just three weeks later to Emily Vawter (1842-1866). After the war, Nathan moved to Bridgeport, Indiana, where he resided until 1877 at which time he relocated to Seward, Nebraska. In 1880 he moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he lived out his days.
Nathaniel wrote the letters to his boyhood friend, George Washington Shober (1826-1897) with whom he apparently carried on a correspondence throughout the Civil War. George was married in 1852 to Leah B. Berkley (1833-1916) in 1852. George was a farmer in Brothers Valley, Somerset county, Pennsylvania.
Letter 1
Vernon, Jennings county, Indiana April 27th 1861
I got this evening your answer to my letter which I was exceedingly glad to receive. I am much gratified at the exhibit of my affairs you make and feel under lasting obligations to you for the manner in which you have conducted my little matters, &c.
Well, George, things look dark in the future. We are looking for an outbreak among us almost daily. What has our land come to that brother has to take up arms against brother. But such is the fact and we must meet it as it becomes men patriots and good and loyal citizens to do, &c. I can freely say with you my country first and last, may she ever be in the right, but if she is not my country still—-
Everything looks like war. We have now in the little state of Indiana on regular drill and in the state service about ten thousand men besides all the militia over the state. Six thousand have been mustered into the United States Services. I expect likely I shall have to go in a short time. I am an officer of an independent company which is drilling nearly every day for service, &c.
I am still an old batch. What do you think will become of me, &c. Write me soon again and tell me all the news, &c. Give my love to all my friends and especially to Old Jacob Hauger. Good night. From your sincere friend, — N. J. Beachley
Letter 2
Chattanooga, Tennessee April 12th 1864
My esteemed friend, G. W. Shober, Esq.,
I will endeavor to drop you a few words tonight, &c. My dear friend, I have written to you long since but never got one word in reply from you, &c. The cause, I presume, is either the miscarriage of my letters or that of yours, &c. But hoping this may be more fortunate than former letters, I hasten to scratch another scroll to you, &c.
In the first place, my love to Mrs. Shober and the little Shobers; also to Mrs. and Mr. Berkley. Hoping you are all enjoying good health.
Please tell me how did you come out in the draft. Was you exempted or did you have to stand the draft, and if so, how did you come out, &c.? Had you to serve Uncle Sam with Greenbacks any or not, &c.? How did the Haugers and Peter come out? I suppose if they were drafted, they thought it was nearly Hell. ha! ha!! ha!!!
Well we have just been home on a thirty days furlough. The Regiment has reenlisted as Veterans for thre years or during the war, unless sooner discharged. I am still in the service you see, and the prospect of another three years is by no means flattering to contemplate. But we veterans have to make the best of it we can, &c.
George, what is the prospect of the Pittsburgh, Connellsville, and Cumberland Railroad being completed soon, &c. And what is our Milford Land worth now per acre? Be sure and answer these queries with as good an understanding as you can obtain because I may want to sell my interest in those lands. And I also wish to know how many acres of land the Estate owns in Somerset county, Pennsylvania.
Have you finally settled the Hauger claim or not? You know, George, I do not wish to perform these services for nothing, &c. You must make your changes and keep money enough to satisfy you, &c. Goodbye. From your sincere friend, — N. J. Beachley
To G. W. Shober
P. S. Direct to 22nd Regt., Indiana Veteran Volunteers, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Spared & Shared 23 