143rd Ohio Infantry

Item LTR-8584

Description

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


Wilson’s Landing
August 4th 1864

Respected Son,

I this morning seat myself for the purpose of sending you a few lines in answer to a letter I received from you yesterday, the 3rd of August, written the 25th of July. And dear son, I was glad to hear that you was well and likewise your mother and all the children.

Carvosso, I believe I am getting all the letters you send me. Some of them is a long time a coming but still they come. And I think I have received everything you have sent me. In the last, I received a postage stamp.

Well, Carvosso, I will tell you a little about a game of ball the rebs and our men had yesterday in sight of the fort. The rebs came in and planted a cannon on the river bank and commenced to fire into our boats as they passed. Two of our gunboats went down and then the game begun. They fired for about two hours and then the Johnnies had to run and they say this morning that a party of our cavalry went after them and captured all of them.

I must now tell you of our fun last night. After seeing the fight in the evening up the river, our pickets got scared and commenced to fire all along the line and that alarmed our camp. And all hands to arms twice last night and I don’t believe the pickets seen a man.

Carvosso, I have taken up too much room for foolishness. A word more and I must stop. Carvosso, I think from what I can learn that we will start for home on tomorrow week. So I add no more but remain your affectionate father and well-wisher.

Henry Barcus

Dear Wife,

I will now address a few lines to you in answer to your letter at the bottom of Carvosso’s. Dear wife, the first thing you requested me was to give you a correct account of my health. That I will do. Wife, I can’t say I am any better. But still I ain’t any sick, just weak and I expect I will be till I leave here and that won’t be long. I have told you different times that they could hold us till the 19th of August. But I think we will be home by that time.

The next thing you wanted me to tell you about John Goddard. Dear wife, that I have written you in two letters and I deem it unnecessary. The next thing is how many of the company is sick. Well, I will tell you but say nothing about it. There is thirteen in the General Hospital and eighteen reports in camp. Now wife, if you see my room is scarce and I must close now. Don’t you believe anything you hear. For I will soon be home now if they keep us till the last minute. Don’t sent me anything now but letters, and if I don’t get them, it is only three cents.

But remain your husband. My love to you and all the children.