116th Ohio Infantry - Killed at Fort Gregg, VA - NEW

Item LTR-10858

Description

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


Romney, WV
February 15, 1863
 
Sunday Morning
 
My Dear wife I will try and pen a few lines for your perusal.  I don’t feel much in humor for writing this morning, however in order not to neglect my duty that I owe to my beloved wife and children.  I will try and write some I expect you have received the letter that I sent by Mr. Sibley also the other that spoke of in the same that was written I think the 7^th and I suppose you have heard all the news here. 
 
This time now I will tell you about that box you sent.  I didn’t hear from it after writing and sending word and our brigade quartermaster went to the different stations and I sent word by him but all appeared in vain of hearing from it.  Walter Reynolds and Joseph Roler’s box came the first of this week.  Colonel Washburn had dispatched to New Creek and Green Springs to send all that belonged to the 116^th and 123^rd Regiments some two weeks ago but that did not bring it by the promises of our brigade quartermaster Williams that it would come on every train.  So I waited patiently thinking that it be so, but it didn’t come.  I had tried to go to see about it some two weeks ago but failed in the chance.  So last Friday, I tried again and got to go.  I started in the morning with four men of my squad: James Stewart, Joseph Fisher, Timothy Gillmore and myself and six men from Company I, as guards, the teamsters making in all eleven men.
 
We got to Green Springs in the evening so I set out to hunt for that box not expecting to find it but I was happily disappointed, I found it.  It has been there since the 27^th of last month.  We stayed there all night, next morning we got ready to start about nine a.m.. Our load consisted of one box for me and twelve boxes and four knapsacks for Company I. Two boxes for the 123^rd Regiment, two boxes for Colonel Washburn of official matter from Washington City, making in all seventeen boxes and four knapsacks being a pretty good load.  We arrived at camp about 4 P. M. and opened my box.
 
Now I will give you what was in the box and what was good.  The bread, two loaves was split.  I did not count the pies.  They were all split.   The two cakes was very good.  Apples, some damaged and the dried beef, I have not examined.  The pork is good.  Paper and envelops is good.  Butter is good.  Molasses good, peaches, I have not opened, but I think they are good.  Pickles is good.  The blank book I did not get or at least was not in the box.  
 
My boots fit well.  I would like to know who made them and what they cost.  My undershirts and drawers, I have not tried on yet.  I have to wash them, the juice of the pies and apples and molasses ran over them, the molasses can leaked some at the top.  My socks and handkerchief I washed last night.  I believe I have given a correct statement of all the articles in the box and got all but the blank book as far as I can think.  But the book, I suppose you forgot to put in.
 
Now do you think that I can ever repay you for your trouble and labor in preparing for me.  In the first place have my acts and manners of life merited.  These kindnesses and ever mindful of your unworthy husband.  These kindnesses must and do come from a Christian heart.  I can’t express my gratitude to you my Dear wife but I hope you will accept my hearty and sincere thanks.  Whenever I think of myself it appears that there is not any good about me.  I can’t boast of any merit or goodness of my own.  When I think of my goodness then I am nothing, but I thank God at all times for his manifold blessings for the evidence of his love and sustaining grace.
 
My enjoyment is not so great as they have been at other times in the love of God but still I try to live as near to Christ as I can.  My fervent desire is not abated in the least for the cause of my blessed master.  It appears that it moved not do for me to have one continual feast of the love of our savior.  I would get careless, I would not dare trust myself the good lord knows best what I need.  He knows my wants better than I do and I believe he bestows blessings and supplies my wants such as I need.
 
I will tell you what came under my observations while I was gone to Green Springs and in return from that place.  I don’t care about its going any further than you.  I will come at the first so you will understand it.   When we was below Gallipolis, one soldier belonging to Company E, got married while the regiment was at that place to a girl from Virginia.  By her statement, she started from home some eight or ten days ago, went to Winchester where General Milroy was and stayed a while and got Milroy to promise to give or sign a furlough for her husband overnight and came to Green Springs Friday evening and stayed with some whores there.  I can’t say at any rate she was at an early hour caught in a captain’s bedroom by one of the boys that was with me that I sent to the captain on business.  Our sutler was with us, so she got him to bring her out.  I will take the liberty to say if she was my wife I could not look anybody in the face.  I put no construction on it so it lays to you. 
 
You can do as you please knowing your pure heart, I feel assured you will do her justice.  I did not give you this statement to condemn her but to give you an idea of the wickedness in our army by officers (when they have a chance.)
 
We have just got done eating our dinner or rather our feast upon the contents of that box.  I had my friend Humphrey G. K. Campbell from Coolville, he is assistant quartermaster.   
 
You see I must close as my letter is long already.
 
Remain your affectionate husband until death,
 
W. H. Bush