77th Illinois Infantry

Item LTR-8244

Description

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


Camp Near Falmouth, Kentucky
October 21st 1862

Dear Mary,

I seat myself once more to write to you. I received your second letter this morning and your likeness and Hattie’s and Emma’s and it was almost as much satisfaction as if I had seen you all. Williams’ letter stated that your folks had sent Ella’s picture but it did not come.

We received orders this evening to be ready to march tomorrow morning at five o’clock. But I don’t think we will go until the day after. We don’t know where we are going. But I don’t think we will go very far.

We are well. Only colds. We have very good fare when we are in camp. But when we are on a march, we have it hard. But not so hard. But that we can stand it very well. We are on the Kentucky Central Railroad, twenty-six miles from Covington. But the way we came, it was about fifty miles and over the very poorest country in the world, except Indiana. One night we had to drink out of a pond where geese, hogs, cows, sheep and everything else run to and you can guess what kind of water it was. We have had some very cold nights here. But when we have our tents up, we can stand it. There is a good many troops here. And most of them from Illinois. But I must close. For the drums are beating tattoo for roll call and I must call the boys out and call the roll. Nothing more.

I remain your affectionate husband,

Direct to:

William Dawson
Company E
77th Regiment Illinois Volunteers
Falmouth, Pendleton County, Kentucky