44th Ohio Infantry

Item LTR-10012

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 7 pages, written in period ink.


Camp Meadow Bluff, [West Virginia]

July 24th 1862

My Dear Wife,

You letter of the 13th instant I received through the kindness of Jacob Jones, Esquire (Captain Cummings Colonel’s Gent) night before last. It was the first word I had from you since your letter of the 4th inst., received on the 10th, twelve days previous. You can imagine it was received and read with interest. If I had not heard from home soon, I should have been soon sick with the blues. Your letter of the 7th inst., sent by Mrs. Samuel Rhodes, I only received last evening. This letter accounts for my not hearing from you for so long a time. Hereafter, do not send any letters only by mail. They come through much sooner and are as certain to be received. I received a letter from sister Anna and one from our friend, Jno. V. Sykes, the same evening I read yours of the 13th. They were written two days after yours and arrived as soon. The reason of this is persons coming here have to walk from Camp Piatt while the mail is brought through by couriers on horses. If your letters are plainly directed and are not overweight, they will come through without delay and safe. In directing your letter, you always write Cox Division, instead of Cox’s. You should add the s and apostrophe as cox is in the possessive case, governed by the noun division. According to rule, a noun in the possessive case is governed by the noun it possesses. I recollect that much of grammar, but that is pretty near the extent of it.

I received the P.O. stamps sent by Houston. I thought I had acknowledged the receipt of them. I am very much obliged to you for them. I should like to have some more sent as I have only got four of them left. I had to pay out two in return for some I borrowed, one on the letter that was stopped in Charlestown for overweight and I have written several letters taking the balance all but four. When I send this, I will only have three left. Then I owe a letter to Anna and one to Jno. Sykes. That will only leave one for my next letter to you. Send them by mail putting 35 cents worth in at a time. Then if one letter should fail to come through, I will not be so apt to lose them. As if they were all in one letter. But I must stop for the present, as I have to go out to practice. Got a new tune to learn today.

Back from practice and have eaten dinner and fee very much refreshed. Had bean soup and stewed dew berries with hard crackers. I gathered the berries and stewed them myself. There is, or has been, a great many berries. But they are getting pretty well picked off. Hez and I took a walk on Sabbath and came across a patch of them. We picked enough for a good stew for supper. On Monday, Jerry and I went to the same place and got three quarters. We were out again yesterday and go near two gallons of them. I have had them nearly every meal this week. We make what we call cobbler. Put in a layer of berries, then crumb some of the hard crackers in and then some more berries and continue that way until the can is about three fourths full. Fill up with water and stew to suit. It goes first rate. They crumbed crackers answers pretty well for a crust. It is a favorite dish among the band. Blackberries will soon be ripe and there are many amounts of the finest kind in this region. The boys will make it pay then.

I like our new camp very much. It is the most pleasant one we have been in since we left Camp Piatt and I think it is much healthier than the one we moved from. I was through the old one the other day and the stench was awful. No wonder the men got sick there. It is the intention, I understand, to change the camp once every month. I think it is a good idea and will add to the health of the regiment.

A scouting party consisting of six companies from the brigade went out a few days ago under command of Major Mitchell of the 44th. They returned yesterday. They did not meet any of the enemy and heard of none so far as I know. What the object of the scout was or whether it was accomplished, I cannot tell not knowing.

The darning needle arrived safe. I am much obliged for it.

Anna in her letter complains because you do not pay them a visit and stay a short time with them. Why can’t you do it? I know they would be glad to have you and I would like to have you do so. I do not think it right that you should live off of your father all the time. I would feel much better satisfied if you would stay some of the time with my father and family.

How is Arn succeeding in recruiting? Is he getting many recruits? I heard that Will Vinal had joined his company and Jno. Sykes talked very strongly in my letter about going with him. I do not think Jno. would be doing right to give up his situation on the railroad and go to war. For I do not think Jno. would stand it, though I may be mistaken. At any rate, he is the person to determine whether or not he should go. I shall not say a word one way or the other. If I was out of the band, I think I would try my hand for a situation of more importance and better pay – a commission.

There is nothing new to write about. I am in excellent health and in much better spirits than when I last wrote. I have not heard from you for so long that I was very much cast down in spirits. I was afraid you or some of the folks were sick. I will write to Anna and Jno. this week if nothing prevents.

Love to all and much for yourself and boy.

From your affectionate husband,

Charlie