58th Ohio Infantry

Item LTR-6069

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 2 pages written in period ink.

Germantown Tennessee
July the 11th 1862
Dear Father,

I take this opportunity to let you know that I am well. I received A.J. Gorden’s letter wrote on the 26 of June and was glad to hear that his health is still improving.

Everything is quiet here. The rebels say they will have Memphis yet. There is considerable fear for the safety of our soldiers at Richmond.

There has been very little rain here for the last month and very warm. I suspect you are cutting your wheat by this time. If everything was right, I would like to be helping but as it is, I would rather be where I am. We have had no tents since we left Corinth. Is is so warm that we can lay down any place and sleep without any cover. There is some talk of this division staying at Memphis this Summer. The corn looks tolerable well. It is a great place for sweet potatoes.

Almost every family from one to [two] acres. The negroes think that they are going to be freed. We go to (Wolf) River to swim twice a week. We stopped at a house to get a drink. I got a tin (off) a negro woman. Yes, she said I could have a tin. She said we suffered so much for the poor black people.

I believe I have more today but remain your obedient son.

Daniel Gorden
William Gorden