131st Ohio Infantry

Item LTR-7909

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 4 pages, written in period ink.


August 2, 1864
Fort Federal Hill

Dear parents and friends all,

I received Mother’s letter dated 25th of July and was glad to hear from home but it is sad news to hear that Frank has been hurt the way he is and to hear of Cassy Carmany’s death and on the other hand, it is good news to hear of Jo Cahill being broke up, for he made his money by cheating the poor soldier out of it, and then he would squander it away playing cards and drinking whiskey. It is just good enough for him.

On last Saturday night about 9 o’clock, as I was on guard there came an order for the 131st Regiment to report at Fort Federal Hill on Monday where we are now. I was detailed to go and clean out the quarters together with Lieutenant Becker and Sergeant Weldner and 8 men which was a nice job for we have hidden power here and all that we had to do was to throw the boards out of the bunks and sweep out the house, put in the lye and throw water in the room for about five hours. We thought that every bed bug was dead, but when we lay down about one-half hour, they commenced feeding on the weary men so they could not stand it and had to desert the quarters and take the yard for it. I do not like this place as well as I did at Fort Marshall. But we can stand it for one or two weeks yet, as some of the companies have been here ever since we came to Baltimore. I think that we will start home about the 15th of this month and will be in Dayton sometime between the 22nd and the 25th.

Mother, you come down to Dayton between that time and I will be there. Fetch my citizen’s clothes down with you and my best shoes. If it is handy, come in a buggy for I have to go out in the country for some things sent home and to get the rest of my money that Prugh owes me. I have been feeling a little unwell for the last two days, but I took a big dose of salts this morning, and I feel very well now but have not missed a roll call, “dress parade”, company drill, police duty, nor a time standing guard and that is more than any other man in the company can say, so you see that I have been well all the time.

The guard duty is lighter here now than it was here before for there is more men by three companies here now than there was. This is the camp of distribution and there is 200 two hundred stragglers here now. Three out of our company have been sent to Harpers Ferry and there will be a lot go to Washington tomorrow with more.

It is getting late at night and I must close. believing me to be as ever, Your son and Brother

W. H. G.
Will H. Gray
Co. H. 131st Regiment O. N. G.
Fort Federal Hill
Baltimore, Md.

To follow Reg. Care Capt. Holl
Send me no more postage stamps