7th Illinois Infantry - KIA at Corinth

Item LTR-301

Description

3 page original Civil War soldier's letter, written in period ink and war dated.

HQ Quartermaster Department
7th Illinois Volunteers
Fort Holt Kentucky
December 10, 1861

Dear Parents,

Your letter was received in due or rather over due time as it was 9 days in reaching me. But I have not had any chance to reply till now and even now I can spend a few moments as I am in Cairo getting lumber for Barracks and 100 men to look after and if I am out of sight for a half hour at a time they will be off. The fact of the matter is I am driven almost to death. I leave Camp at daylight and do not get back till late and then have to issue what I have provided. Yesterday, I got 4000 feet and after getting it home I had to measure it out among the captains, hospital and band. The lumber is 16 feet in boards and I measure altogether with tape line. The Q.M. of the 28th (whose camp joins ours) came to me the other day to learn to measure lumber, which I did and laughed in my sleeve. It leaked out and made some fun for our boys which is one of numbers of illustrations I could mention showing the lamentable ignorance of common matters among our high officers. We are expecting an armored movement soon. But all are in the dark. But from all we can see it is not far distant. We all expect to spend Christmas some where else. Time will tell. Our Regiment is in fine condition and would be better if we could get done with the fatigue work which causes a detail of from 200 to 300 daily building barracks. All of the staff are still in tents but it is quite warm now. So that we get along very well. I shall probably order the building of the staff to be commenced tomorrow. I have to order the whole thing of location and dimensions, architecture too and say how many men I need. I have not been to church in two weeks for this reason. Was obliged to go to Cairo both days or lose four or five carloads of lumber and the regiment would stand that loss of time. Our Chaplain is more than useless all he seems to think of is his pay, food and has not a friend in the Regiment. He is the same one who was in the three months service. I do not like to hear him. I wrote to Cogdon and am expecting a reply daily. He might be here soon now I expect. Till then I shall make no decision as to what we can do. Not a word from Frank and I do not yet know when the 13th Regiment is located as for some time past the papers have not said a word of the 13th. As soon as I can find out I will write to him and you of him. Nellie will be with you soon. I received a letter today from her. All well. Uncle Harvey was making quite a turn over my (as he said) noble course and promotion. Send the Commission to Nellie as soon as you can. Be sure and direct my letters to Box 383, Cairo P. O. As by that means I get them a day earlier. Cannot stop longer now. Love to all. Tell Alice I will write as soon as I can get a letter time.
Affectionately yours,
LT. William Brown Jr.
Quarter Master 7th Regiment
Illinois Volunteers