73rd Indiana Infantry

Item LTR-8038

Description

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


Lavergne, Tennessee

May 29th 1864

Dear Parents,

I am happy to again enjoy the privilege of writing a few lines to you. Hoping that you may be in good health when you receive them.

As far as I am concerned, I am in good health and spirits and feel myself at least physically able to do the duty devolving upon me each day. I have been to Nashville the other day and while walking along one of the streets, I was call by someone and on looking around, I saw William Hellid. I found him at Hospital No. 8 wounded in the neck. The ball had passed through from one side to the other. And just missed any fatal parts. He was walking around in the Hospital yard and looked well as usual otherwise. He will be entirely well soon. The rest of our boys are all well and unhurt so far. I hope they may be lucky enough to escape without getting hurt. We received marching orders a few days ago and I expect will go out soon. Perhaps be stationed on some other rail road or in some town.

I have been mustered into the United States service as a 2nd Lieutenant a few days ago. And have command of Company C in our regiment. The same company that John Slick is in. He has been made orderly sergeant of the company.

Enclosed you will please find two photographs of two sergeants of my old company. They are good comrades and I wish you would put the pictures away until I come home. And do not have them handled much, so they won’t get soiled.

Write to me soon as you can and give me some news of brother John. As I have received no letters from him for a long time.

My love to you all,

Otto