153rd Indiana Infantry

Item LTR-444

Description

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

Taylor Barracks
Louisville, KY
June 21, 1865

Dear Niece,
Yours of the 14th has been received. I was very glad to hear from you. My apology for my negligence in writing is this, that I have been so much crowded with business since my return from the army that I have given little attention to anything else. I do not however wish you for an instant to think that my negligence is on account of my lack of esteem for my relatives. I do not think you would do me so much injustice. As far as talent is concerned I should think the superiority was on the other side.
I have been very ill since I came to Indiana. For nearly two months my friends despaired of my life. But in consequence of having a strong constitution and firm resolution I am again on my feet but not well. I never shall be well again and I do not know that I ever want to be.
I was doing finely in Indiana and making money. But when the last call was made, I felt like I wanted to go and I went although I had a splendid practice. I felt that I had fought through three years of the war when the dark shades of gloom rested on every feature and now that it was nearly over and the rebellion on the roll down ward into destruction I could not help feeling a strong desire to have a last kick at it and I have had it. I now feel satisfied. I came out as a private but now promoted to captain in about a month afterward. I have been acting inspector general ever since quite recently when my company was moved and desired me to come and take command which I did and am now in command of my company. My time will be out before a great while but I do not expect to return to Indiana or Ohio. I expect to either go to Oregon or Northern Alabama. I want to get as far as I can from the scenes of my early youth and try to forget them. They are painful to me. But I must now close. Please let me hear from you again soon. My love to all.
Most respectfully yours,
Uncle J. H. S. Ford
Captain Co. B 153rd Ind Vols
Louisville, KY