143rd Ohio Infantry

Item LTR-9605

Description

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


Wilsons Landing, VA
July 20th 1864

Miss Lizzie Lockard

Dear Friend,

Received letter day before yesterday. I was glad to hear from you all. I think you do not write half the letters you might if you knew how much it revives one to get letters. You would all write more than what you do. I have not had a letter from Annie since the 9th of this month and that was written on the 3rd of the month. So you see it has been some time since I have had any word from home. My health is good at this time. I was on picket last night and it rained in torments all night. When we lay down to take our round at sleep we were half buried in the water. That was not quite as pleasant as laying on a good featherbed but we can stand it for the balance of our time. We expect to leave here the first week in August. That is what our Colonel told us yesterday. So you may expect to see us home by the 15th of next month if no bad luck. The boys are all in good spirits at this time. I am longing to get a pitch in at that honey you are saving for us. I can tell you I have not seen much honey since I came here. I can’t get enough of them. The Colonel will not allow us to go out any more for fear that there might be a rebel around that would take the advantage of us and take us to Richmond. There was considerable firing in the direction of Petersburg yesterday. But we have no news this morning yet from there. There is a considerable amount of Sherman’s men going to Grant at this time. The report in camp is now that Grant says he will be in Richmond before this month is up. I hope it may be so he has the men to do it now if he ever will have them.

I tell you our Camp we have it nicely fixed up. Trimmed up with pine. Our walks are as nice as any walk you ever seen in town or any place you ever would wish to see. I wish you could see us as we are here. You would think it a strange way of living. I do most of the cooking for our mess. I can make as good tea as ever I drank in my life. The way we fry our pork when we are on picket is by sticking a piece on a stick and hold it in the fire until it is toasted. Sometimes it gets smoked a little but still we can eat it. I have but little news to write this morning. I hope your Pa is getting along well with his harvest. I am sorry I can’t be there to help him. This leave the boys all well and myself also. Write soon and often. My compliments to your Pa and Mother and all who may chance to inquire for me.

Your friend,

Milton McQuilkin