131st Ohio Infantry

Item LTR-7911

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 4 pages, written in period ink.


Fort Marshall Baltimore
July 28, 1864

Home and friends all,

It has been some time since I last wrote to you. I received Mother’s letter written on the 17th and was sorry to hear that John was sick, for it is not very pleasant to be in the hospital. But it may be all for the best. If he had not been there, he would have been in another battle which might have proved fatal to him. As it is, he is safe yet and I hope will be until his time is out.

The boys are all talking about going home and what nice times they will have when they get there. I will not say when I will be home for I know not, but when I get there, then I will tell you that I am there, but our time will be out on the 22nd of August. As to the bundle I sent home, if it is lost will not break me up for it is only worth $16.45 - sixteen dollars and forty-five cents. That is count the things as government prices although it cost me but $6.00 and some cents. But I will make them pay full price for it as I have a receipt for it.

I hope Father will be done with his bridge when I get home and ready to go to Illinois on the farm for I do not like Piqua for a home and it is the opinion of the most of us. It is the best thing that we can do to move on the farm and be with the land and see that it is tended to properly for it will make us a nice living just by having it tended to properly. It is as Father says, it is nicer to be a king among beggars than a beggar among kings. But Father and Mother knows best as they are the oldest and the wisest of us all that subject.

I was over to Fort Federal Hill on last Sunday. It is not near as strong nor as nice as Fort Marshall is. It is the camp of distribution. The troops that are there have more to do than we do as they have to take prisoners to their camps and regiment besides patrolling and doing guard duty every other day which is hard work.

General Lockwood was here yesterday inspecting the fort and taking notes on the surrounding hills and valleys, preparing for a fight in case we should be attacked, as the Rebels seem to like Maryland for to rove in better than in their own country but they make nothing by the operation. Some talk about the one hundred days’ men not fighting, but it is all humbug for they will fight and keep off their number if not more of the enemy as they know not when they are whipped and they keep on fighting as did the 149th Regiment Ohio National Guard at Harpers Ferry. What regiment is the Piqua company in and letter does it represent? Also find out what regiment Clay Worley is in and what company and where both regiments are. The general health of the regiment is good and we have lost but one man, young King of Company G died while calling the roll one morning. I just came off guard this morning and will be off three days. All at present as my paper is full.

Will H. Gray
Co. H
131st Regiment, O.N. G.

There is a great deal of stealing done in the fort every night. Last night there was a $25 revolver stole and most every day somebody is robbed of his money.
If John has but a very small office, it is the nicest thing in the business. He has better times as far as guard duty is concerned. He has a better thing than a captain or lieutenant.
The militia are all ordered out. That is in Baltimore.