131st Ohio Infantry

Item LTR-10957

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 2 pages, written in period ink.
Fort McHenry
Baltimore, Maryland
 
Wednesday evening
June 1^st 1864
 
Dearest Wife and Children,
 
I again write you a letter to let you know that I am still well and having good times, considering the business I am at.  I still carry mail and act as postmaster for our company.  The other company of our regiment left here this morning and are stationed in the City doing patrol duty.  The men are stationed in squads of 5, 10, 15 and 20, at a place guarding public property and arresting deserters and butternuts, etc..  I do not know how long we will be kept here at Fort McHenry.  But I am satisfied we will not be likely to leave this neighborhood soon, as it requires all the men hereabouts to do guard duty and man the forts.
 
I am extraordinary well pleased to get your letter this morning of Sunday the 29^th.  Also, one from Mother of the same date.  I also made about one half the company glad by getting them letters. It was about the first letters we had got.  It was funny to see the boys run to me when they saw I had a good mail and of 40 letters, I delivered all in about 3 minutes.
 
I am sorry our pickle meat has spoiled as I expected to live on fat pork when I quit soldiering.  We have plenty to eat and good. I get things every day in the City and four of us have an extra cook.  I do the marketing.  We had fresh shad for supper and breakfast.  We have eels and all kinds of fish, oysters, and other water products.  I saw plenty of cherries in market this morning.  Also, strawberries in abundance at 10 cents per quart.  I am glad to hear the children are well and good and I hope they will not neglect their studies, although it is vacation.  Anna, you must learn Charley and Charley you will learn Mary, and Mary will have to try and learn the little pigs to talk.
 
The health of our company is very good. Although it is very hot through the day.  We have pleasant nights.  The air is pure and generally a good breeze so we get along first rate.  I generally get back by noon from the city and have nothing to do in the afternoon except Dress Parade, which is at 6 p.m. and it lasts but half hour.
 
We have two of our company in the Post Hospital.  But they are not dangerously sick. One is Ream Anderson.  The other is a substitute from Dayton named Jackson.  The hospital here is very well arranged and as clean as a new pin.  But I have about filled my half sheet and will close by sending my respects to all my friends and my love to you and the little dears. 
 
Your husband and father,
 
J. E. Kinder
 
I have received four letters since I left home as follows.  Two from you, one from mother and one from George.  Direct to J. E. Kinder, Company D, 131^st Regiment Ohio National Guard, Baltimore, Maryland.