12th Illinois Infantry

Item LTR-7920

Description

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


Paducah, KY
December 22nd 1861

Friend Charles,

I take this present opportunity to inform you that I am well at present and hope these few lines will find you the same. I have been thinking of writing to you for a long time. But I have never got at it till now. I will try to write a few lines to you now, if you can read this letter. I shall think you are a pretty good scholar.

We have had no fighting yet and I am afraid we never shall have as long as we are in the 12th Regiment. We have very good times here now. It has been pretty cold here for a day or two. But it is warmer today and is raining all day.

We took a southern Colonel a few days ago.

Let me know where John Hackett is now.

You will please excuse this short letter and give my best respect to all inquiring friends.

Write soon.

From your friend,

David B. Hildreth

To Charles Witheral