26th Indiana Infantry

Item LTR-5170

Description

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

Tipton, MO

November 21st 1861

Dear friend,

I take my pen in hand to let you know I am well. Hoping these lines will reach and find you undergoing the same feelings. We have done some hard marching in the last month past. We marched from here to Springfield and back over hills and rocks as we went. We marched part of the time day and night on half rations at that it is 150 miles from here to Springfield. We expected a big fight when we got there but Price was too sharp. He found out we were coming he left and fled into the woods.

There is a good deal of sickness in camp here now. There was six of our boys come back here last night form Jefferson City. They say there is four deaths there every day of the typhoid fever. There was several that died on the road while on the march from here to Springfield and back. But as for me part I feel better than I have since I enlisted. Although we have had a good deal of sickness. We had no tents with us what little sleeping we have done. We just lay down on the ground and sleep like boys we will take the cars in a few days for Syracuse [MO]. We will remain until spring unless we go down the river. I will bring my letter to a close as it is time to go on battalion drill. Answer this letter as soon as you get it and tell me how you are getting along. So no more at present. Only I remain your friend until death,

M. A. Nixon

To S. L. Dunn