86th Ohio Infantry

Item LTR-7559

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages, written in period ink.


Clarksbury Harrison Co, Va
July 20, 1862

Dear Brother Samuel,

Sir,
I received your letter dated the 6th on the 11 and was glad to hear from you. I wrote you a letter some time ago and have no answer yet. I am well and have better health then I had when I was at home. All the boys from Knot Township are well and in good Spirit. I will give the names of the boys from Knot that have offices first Lieutenant Brad Miller, 2 Sergeant F Zurbrugg 3 Corporal J. A. Miller, 5 Corporal E T (J) Biery 4 Corporal Peter Schwartz.

We all get along pretty well and like the service. But when my time is up, I shall go home again and stay at my happy home forever. Some of the boys talk of enlisting again but I won’t; I have enough. You say in your letter that Father wants you to come home and wants us boys to buy the Colenberger farm. I for my part would be very glad if we could do that. For there is nothing nicer for brothers in God’s world then to live together if they have a home as we have. It pains my heart to be separated from you. I think that Father will do what is right. I want you to think over the matted and then let me know. As far as paying for the farm, I think we would be alright. You know Father has a good pocketbook.

We are still at Clarksburg. How soon we will move I can not say. We have some very good boys in our company and regiment and I have some good friends. But the best friend I have is my enfield rifle. There is a great call made for more soldiers. But I think there is no danger of drafting any. McCellan was defeated at Richmond but not badly. I think the time will soon come that all rebellion will be crushed and peace restored forever once more in our country.
I must close for this time. Excuse me for writing so poor. Answer soon.

I remain your affectionate brother,

Frederick Zurbrugg