72nd Ohio Infantry - Killed at Vicksburg

Item LTR-8476

Description

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


Fort Pickering
Memphis, Tennessee

February the 7th 1862

Dear Friend,

It is with pleasure that I embrace the present opportunity to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present. I received your kind letter the 25th and was glad to hear from you. It is the first letter out of twelve. I received it just as we were going to town on patrol guard. And we just came in. So I thought I would answer it today while I have got time. We have marched forty miles since I wrote to you and we have got in a better place. We are where the sesesh can not get us. For we are inside our breastworks. We have fifteen hundred durries building our breastworks. So we do not have to do such work. And I am glad on it. For the sun would melt us down.

We had fine times on patrol guard. For we had lots of men to take to the guard house. Some of them was tight and contrary. But we made them go or pick them with the bayonet. They keep them in the guard house one day and then they send them to camp and put them to work on the breastworks. That cools them. But they don’t bitch there duty there.

We’re on the Mississippi River and I saw some of the work that our gunboats done to the rebel boats. There is one rebel boat sank in front of our camp. There is ninety men went down with it. And I wish that all of the officers in the southern army was there with them. I think the war would soon be over. But if wishing would do any good, they would have been through long ago. But if they want to smell powder, let them try us and a whack we will give them.

Write if you please. If we are no better than black dogs. Bully for Bill Brown. But I do not know him. Tell him to go ahead for I do not hold any claims. But just suppose that it would do Ma no good. For I guess that she feels I love me best.

But I am a going to get some new clothes and money to you. Write that you had a surprise party at J. Plantses. I would like to have been there. Charles is well now. No more.

Your little friend,

E. C. Owens

Direct to Memphis, Tennessee
Company D, 72nd Regiment Ohio

Write soon. Mr. E. Colwell