Bond & Edwards Civil War letters

BOND & EDWARDS Civil War Letters

Letter from Benjamin Bond to his girlfriend Cornelia Edwards.

[37]

Camp Murphy Ind.

Thursday,

   Yours was received this morning and has been passed, on I think it was just the thing for this gloomy day. But as I have often told you, there are many disadvantages in writing in camp I have no time to write at this time,. But must say that it is my desire to write and when I have time I shall do it, your letter was very Pleasing, and / I hope you will place enough confidence in, in me to write just as feel. I cannot blame you for feeling some [delialvy], in expressing your feelings, ..I would not have done it if I could have felt like going away without doing so, if there is any thing wrong in it, I am sorry - But since it is the case I hope you will allow me to be frank. I did say it was a Boyish passion. But I did to be generous with you altho I do not claim that this is a manly feeling, if you could have sent your miniature it would have been Pleasant
   But do not think that I am going to blame you. /I could have [ ] [ ] things. I might have given you the money But I [] did not think of it
   I [miders] I and we start tomorrow and I have no more time to write But as soon as I can it is most night and I want to go see Melissa,. write as often as you wish to. and believe that I shall be glad to hear from you I do not think this deserves a reply. But am wiling to let you be the judge. and am sure it would be a pleasure fore me to read it.

your friend Benjamin Bond.
direct to Capt. Carlands
Cavalry, Ind,Vol, Me.

Letter to the Bond Family telling of Benjamin's death

[19]
Washington D.C. Nov 28 (1861)

Dear friends it becomes my duty to
communicate a few of the incidents connected with the death of Benjamin Bond he was taken sick in camp Carter near Buds-ferry on the lower Potomac about fifty miles below Washington on the Maryland side his disease was Typhoid fever his sickness lasted only two weeks his physician told me frequently that he was not dangerous even when he was at the worst Benjamin did not think he was dangerously sick at any time two days before he died he walked from the hospital to his quarters a distance of one hundred yards and after resting returned to the hospital without apparently injuring him, he told me the day before he died that he was mending the physician said the same he sat up by the fire an hour on the evening before his death did not complain of being any worse when he went to bed his nurse says he slept as well as usual until midnight when he awoke and called for something to eat said he was very hungry after drinking some broth he again laid his head upon his pillow without any symptoms of a change for the worse he drew but one breath after and expired without a struggle or a groan. I was with him much in his sickness he at one time told me that he had a prentiment when he volunteered that he would not get home alive but he said he would get well this time he thought in this he was mistaken

I had several conversations with him on the subject of religion and I am fully satisfied he was prepared for death for I know he sought earnestly the forgiveness of his sins.

Now my dear friends Binjamin's fellow soldiers immediately after his death resolved to send his remains home to his friends they have contributed a sufficient amount for that purpose I brought his body up to Washington had it embalmed and put in an air-tight coffin on Monday the 25th which was one day after his death on the evening following I telegraphed to Capt. Ruben A. Riley at Greenfield to know where to send his body but up to this time I got no answer I also tried to get a dispatch to his brother in the first Wisconsin regiment but their camp is too far from any office I did not succeed Please write to me when his body arrives

Philip A. Leever Please divert your letter to me at Washington in care of Capt Carland 3 reg. Ind Cavalry Gen Hookers division
(?) wants to know where his parents live so that he can correspond with them

Letter from S.H. Heath to Cornelia Edwards

[18]
[has some damage to it]
Camp Bridgeland Dec 15th 61
Sunday night 10 o'clock
Miss. Edwards,
Dear Nellie I received [ ]kind and and affectionate letter [ ]do paid while reading your letter and () you speak of the schoolroom I almost immagened myself in your preseness in the in the schoolroom where we have spent so many happy hours in study, dear Nellie I would very glad to visit you and your school before we leave camp Bridgland but that is an imposable for we are going to start tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock, we drew 4 days rations tonight, and we have to do our cooking to night for to last us tomorrow, dear friend I am happy to inform you that we elected another Captain to night. I suppose you will be anctious to know who we we elected our Capt name is J. S. Edwards perhaps you are some what aquainted with him I think we have a Captain now that will do his duty under all sercumstances and one that will treat his men well dear friend please excuse my brevity as it is getting late and we have to be up at 4 o'clock in the morning and get ready to start. dear Nellie please excuse my short note for I have not time to write any at this time I will write again as soon as we get to Kentucky

please excuse all imperfections and hast dear Nellie I shall have to bid you a long and affectionate farewell please dont criticise, good night
S.H.Heath

Letters of Daniel Bond.

[15]
[Possibly Peninsula Campaign at Fair Oaks]Fair Oak Station
Six Miles from Richmond
June 8th 1862 (?)
Dear Brother

One week ago yesterday we were called out , hurried into the ranks and pushed forward across the Chicahominy where a battle was raging in all its fury. We were hurried forward almost at double quick until we reached the scene of action. On the way we met the usual amount of stragglers returning from the field with the common tale of regiments all cut to pieces. It was quite plain that we were needed ahead. We were in the advance of the whole division, and we marched so rapidly that we arrived on the field nearly half an hour before the rest of the brigade. We were immediately directed to the right of General Abercrombie. The enemy were trying to flank us and most opportunely did we arrive . Our Regiment was drawn up in a large wheat field or rather on the right of such a field; The enemy were fast emerging from the woods in front when our Colonel drew his sword, waved it above his head and shouted "orward double quick " we obeyed. The rebbels "Skedaddled" back into the woods. "Halt" shouted the Colonel, we did it. "lay down" we did that also. The enemy could now be seen in the woods passing to the left. I suppose it was their intention to cut us off from the main army , as there was a wide gap open for them, but the rest of the brigade had now arrived and with two Regts of General Conah (?) division filled the vacancy. They were yet marching by the right flank when the enemy fired a volley into them , immediately coming to a front they returned it with a heavy interest. Rickets ?ctran battery was also posted a little to our left and "From rank to rank the rollied thunder flew!". Orders were given by the rebel leaders to "CHARGE" that battery and take it at whatever cost.

They charged but retired without the battery albeit they got the cost; during this time the four left companies of this regiment were pouring in a murderous fire; while the N York Second and Thirty Fourth were fighting like "Hungry tigers" with an empty craw. for two hours those boys never moved from their tracks pouring an incessant leaden hail into the ranks of treason. The enemy fired and charged and charged and fired . But all did avail to drive these heroes from the field. Meantime the left of this regt. Companies D, H and K did pretty well. Taking a Colonel, a lieutenant Colonel, a Captain and several privates. The joke however of this capture lies in the fact that the Colonel taken was a lieutenant in Captain Sully's company , when they were in the regular army, now the lieutenant had to hand his sword to the Captain, the Secesh Colonel to the Union Colonel, meantime right (of which we are the extreme) of the regiment was ordered to crawl back so as to form an oblong line across the wheat fields, thus preventing the enemy from ascertaining where our right really was. About this time the bullets were flying quite rapidly over our heads. A Dane by the name of Hammer was struck in the forehead and died about daylight the next morn. He was a veteran soldier having seventeen battles prior to this . Two others were wounded, but slightly however and belonged H and D. this was all the loss in this Regt. Sable night put an end to the conflict which was not renewed again until the sun was some hours advanced on the next morn which was Sunday. The traitors again made their appearance further to the left while we held the position, we were first ordered to. the rest of the brigade, I might say division, were hurried to the scene of conflict, and there again the enemy were compelled to fall back before this tremendous volleys. It now became their turn to Charge --They did it but with more success than their Southern brethren obtained on the previous evening driving them from the field which they had gained from Casey¹s division the day before "The Red field was won." Our young commander rode along the lines while cheers louder if possible than the roar of the awful conflict that had just ended greeted him on every side. General Hammer, Sedwick, Richardson, Gorman, Dana and Burns were simiarly recieved by their respective commands, and well did they merit it. Our Dana, so highly respected by this Regiment had his horse shot under him. And I think there will never be another word said by the boys of this regt. about the cowardince of Gorman. Some of the newspapers have been attempting to cast disgrace on General Sumner (?) But if the opinions of the men under his command could have any weight we believe he¹s as good a general and man as there is in the service , nor do we like to see this grey haired veteran abused. But I believe justice will be done to him hencforward. Our Colonel was all that we could desire, how fortunate we have always been in our regimental commanders. The first, (General Forman) although the boys had some dislike for him, yet when he was promoted they hated to part with him. They said: "We will never get another Colonel that will fill his place." Dana, next, and if we were to be compelled to choose between the three, I believe he would be one choice, was too good for praise. When he parted with us we presented him a saddle and sword. He was so cool and good that we even almost if not quite insulted Gorman to get into his brigade. I say we although I had no part in it personally I allude to a petition which was signed by nearly the whole Regiment requesting to be assigned to Dana's command. Since that time there has not been as good a feeling existing between the regiment and their generals one could wish. Among other desirable results, this battle has reconciled them again, I believe. The two New York Regiments for whom we had great contempt on account of their lack of discipline did so well that we have agreed to bury the past in consideration of their bravery in the field. It would be very hard now to convince us that we were not the most efficient army that ever the world look upon. The Second Company of Minnesota Sharpshooters is here, they have been attached to this regiment constituting Company L. They are a remarkably fine looking company, armed with Sharps rifles with bayonets. They were in the battle of Hanover Court House. At that time they were attached to the first Berdans (?). They likewise took part in the recent battle on their own hook. I do not know whether you are aware that this Regiment has had the honor of being presented with three steel cannon by General Sanford Minister to Belgium. The inscription on them is a "Tribute to Patriotism and valor." So you see the responsibility upon us is great and you are aware must be somewhat embarrassing however pleasant. But it will confer an honor on our new state. And I believe we will do our best to sustain the reputation we have blundered into. Since the battle I have been so busy that I have had but a poor chance to write, yet I have written several letters, one of which was to Edward to let you know I had survived the struggle. We had the distinguished honor of presenting arms to the Spanish General Prim today. He is a splendid looking man. But there is a remarkable contrast between the plain uniform of our Generals and that of the Spanish Chieftain and his staff. I reviewed your letter of the 22nd. I will try to send a letter to Nellie in this as you suggest. If I can get the time. But I have so much on hand or perhaps should say we have. My health is very good so with most of my comrades. In full confidence of success

I remain your brother, Daniel ------------------------------------- Campaigning with Grant/Porter
[.Prob. to his brother Ty.] page 167

[56]

Feb 27th 63

Camp near Falmouth Va.

Dear brother,
   Yours and Cornelias of the 17rh,18th and 19th came along just now. The story of that young lady was indeed wonderfuly romantic. I always impposed that such cases only accured in romances. I hope you will furnish me with the rest of the story when you have aquired it. I am glad you have a chance to enjoy youself some before meeting the enemy. A soldier will, I am satisfied last twice as long if he has a few months camp or garrison life before going to the field, Hezekiah joind us again us you will remember in a very hard march; the consequence was that he heardly lasted a month. By the way when I last heard from him he continued to improve. About those ladies going to war: I know not how it is in the west, but it would be extreemly hazardous here. I imagine they will find a great difference between campaigning and camp life. This though of course you know by experiance, and I need not have spoken it.
  Now to the war matters, There is considerable commotion about this regt. going back to Minnesota this Spring. The plan is I believe to bring one of the new regiments down here and have us guard Indians. There was a time when such a change would have been very distastful to me; but now I should not object. I will give some of my reasons. The men that are new in command of us have come to there position by [?] and are not capable of commanding a battalion that has had such splended leaders as our first three, Ofcourse they are not disobediant to the command of their officers yet we do not feel right: and we do not wish to have the generals put that dependence in us now that they formerly have; for we cannot do now what we could under our first commander. Still I think we could fight Indians almost if not quite as well as ever: you are aware that such fighting would admit of considerable irregularity, moreover I think the healthful climate of Minnisota would have a salutary effect on some of our worn out soldiers. I could not read your letter without the deepest emotion. For it speaks of the subject nearest my heart. I grow more determined every day to put this war through or die. The essurence you give me that you are with me heart and hand is most cheering.
   I hope it may never be necessary for us to reenter the Service, But if it is I would be much happier in company with a select few, than in a mostly multitude. I wish that treason did not previl so much in the north. It will take 50.000 more lives to conquer this rebellion than it would were we [?]. I think it is the duty of every soldier to write a rebute to those Legeslatores that are passing the treasonable resolutions. Let every one give [?] to their feelings; through the press of their own state. If the whole army will [?] [?]. you may depend upon it [?] will hear and take warning. For the army has now become so large that their vote will be something when they return to be citizens. The N. Y. Herald has been making treason in this army, at times [?] might [?] nothing and [?]. And many of the offices have backed that [?] sheet. But notwithstanding all its backing, I believe it is now banished from the army: a thing that ought to have been done a year ago.
   The army has been redualy stealing away from here; where it goes to wecan not tell. I should not be surprised if this army was broken up. Most of the soldiers would be glad if it should; they are trired of marching and countermarching over Virginia. Well, well, I guess I must close for I am getting a sheet pretty well filled, and I have nothing interesting to relate.

Dan. P. S. I do not know whether you have been informed of the death of Saml Milhollin or not: he died of the small pox at Quincy Ill. September 16th 62

The Letters of Hezekiah Bond.

[9]
Osseo, Minn.
January 28th 1862
Dear brothers I have neglected writing you much too long. But it is snowing to day and I feel more like writing than any thing else. I am in tolerably good health and the rest of the folks are as well, I suppose. The snow is about 20 inches deep (I guess,) people are mostly engaged in cutting and hauling wood to town and hauling logs to the mill, and making barrels, they make barrels of sour elm which you know cannot give out in this country, they have machinery for making the staves and heads which the coopers buy and set up the barrels.

Anoka is becoming a great manufacturing town. We have no need to go further than there for all such articles as barrels tubs buckets matches and all kinds of building material. They saw all their wood by horse power, the spirit of the place is labor saving.

We run the lyceum about 6 weeks but had to abandon it on account of the deep snow. I may say that Charley Savage, George Smith, Tom Kelly and Mark Post and perhaps others whom I cannot think of have enlisted as recruits in the first regiment. Captain Smith is expected in a few days on a recruiting Tour. Elder Walker it is gave himself up to inordinate glee when he heard that Zollicoffer1 was killed, His first expression was, "I thank thee Oh lord that he is dead" This was followed by a long train of the most satirical preacher wit that you could imagine. One of Peter Blesies brother, and two of his brothers in law, have enlisted in the Artillery. Champlin has not sent a recruit nor soldier except Mr. Hayden such is the patriotism of village that attempts to rule a township.
[note] Brigadier General Felix Kirk Zollicoffer born inMaury County, Tenn.,May 19, 1812. He became a printer and editor, interrupting the persuit of this calling to serve in the Seminole War. In 1841, he was made associate editor of the Nashville Banner, was Sate comptroller from 1844 to 1849, and continued his political career in the State Senate. He was a member of Congress from 1853 to 1859, and also a delegate to the Peace Conference held at Washington, 1861. In May of that year he was appointed Major General of the provisional army of Tennessee, and in July, after commanding an instruction camp was made brigadier -general of the Confederate army and assigned to the District of East Tennessee. His forces were defeated by Brigadier-General Schoepf at Camp Wildcat, with Brigadier-General Thomas at Logan¹s Cross Roads, or Mill Springs, Kentucky, January 19, 1862, he was killed. PHCW vol. V page280

I suppose I have written all I can think of that may be of any interest to you. I will always feel grateful for your kindness to me, and I feel some what lonesome in the absence of so many of my brothers.

On the day that we fished last fall as we were going to start home, I was stricken with thoughts and feelings that have oppress me very much since that time, It occurred to me that we had just past in review one of the scenes of our childhood, and the sun appeared to be setting on our last days stroll together in that manner. I hope it may not be so. Others may not be so sensitive on such things as I am.
I am no believer in spiritualism but there are some circumstances connected with Bennies death that I will mention. I saw him in a dream about the time it occurred. I spoke to him and tried to converse with him but he merely spoke and passed on as he left me I noticed that he appeared to be all wracked out of his natural shape and I was so shocked that I felt it the next day. A few evenings after I thought about him and remarked that there was no one I should regret to so much as him because of his being so young and healthy in a few minutes Jarves come in bringing a letter from Daniel that put the matter beyond doubt, I saw him in a dream afterward he talks very philosophically said that what we called life was death and what we called death was real life, that the only grief was that we must suffer so long in this death before we could taste the enjoyments of life.
H Bond

[NOTE]Elder Walker¹s delight was brought on by news from the war front in Kentucky where the 2nd Minn. was fighting and good news was hard to come by in the first months of the war. At the time,January 19 and 20, 1862 eastern Kentucky was in considerable ferment. After a series of slight skirmishes Union forces had driven a larger Confederate force into the Cumberland Mountains. What would follow would be the first substantial victory for the North in the war.
General Zollicoffer held the extreme Confederate right at Cumberland Gap and then joined up with General George B. Crittenden near Mill Springs in central Kentucky. Union General Buell, in charge of the Army of the Ohio, placed General George H. Thomas at Lebanon. With him Thomas had the 9th Ohio, 2nd Minnisota., 4th Kentucky., 10th Indiana and the1st Kentucky Cavelery. Thomas promptly moved against the Confederate force. They met at Logan¹s Cross Roads near Mill Springs on January 19th. A complete route of Confederate forces took place with the death of their general F. K. Zollicoffer. Confederate losses were over five hundred men and the Union¹s losses about half that. It might be added the Union had 194 wounded and the Confederates 160.
It wasn¹t a great battle for the Civil War but it was a winning one for the North and the Uniion was badly in need of some good news.

[16]
Lincoln Hospital ward 12
Washington D.C.
January 31st 1863

Dear brother, I have not written to you for a great while But I have been in circumstances that prevented my writing and I hope you will forgive me and I will try to do better after this. I have neglected others for the purpose of writing to the folks at home, and there has been about six weeks that I was unable to write to any body. I suppose I will be sent back to my regiment in a few days
I can be detailed to attend on the sick at this place but I am unable for that duty; and when I get to the company I think there will be nothing required of me that I am not able to perform. I am too weak to write very long at a time I am writing letters for a business at present, but think I will not be permitted to continue very long in that occupation

But I am getting tired of this place and would like a change very well. I hardly think I will ever get home well for I have endured some exposure and must endure much more yet but I feel a courage and resolution I never felt before.

Well the day is passing off and I rarely think of the flight think of the flight of time with being reminded of the last happy days we spent together Probably from from a presentime not that we would never meet again I have felt a deeper sympathy for you since then than I ever did before It is two much to contemplate that we are all now separate s?) and some of us amid such perils

What an awful meeting it was when we were all at home but one Still we were very happy We are all separated now
He [Benji] is in the cold ground now so goes this fleeting life
But I hope the rest of will meet again at some future day "and look once more into each others face" it would be a happy day if we could but there is a sea of troubles to swim before this can take place
and some of us may be drowned amid its dashing waves

I have just been to supper and my brain is too dull to write any more at present But I will try to finish this letter and send it off tomorrow. February 1st I must close this letter before breakfast for the mail is going out immediately after so I will look over it and send off

Direct you letters to Daniel and i will be apt to get them. I did intend to send another sheet, But you will perhaps be satisfied with this I received a letter from you about ten weeks ago but have not been able to answer it and do not know where it has gone to.

Hezekiah Bond

[17]
Washington D C
Lincoln Hospital ward 12
February 24th 1863

dear brother, I am still in the hospital and do not know when I will leave. I do not feel quite so well as I did some days ago but I am in hopes that it will not last long and that I will be able to join Daniel before the active campaign commences in the spring. I would be very sorry to think my constitution irreparably injured by exposure but I sometimes think I am not what I was. I got your letter of the eighth a few days ago, and was very glad that you were still in the land of the living for I had not heard from you since the battle of Murfeesborough, in which I supposed you to have been The last I heard from Daniel he was well and appeared to be in a high glee. I can hardly think or speak of him without tears: he has been on 12 of the bloodiest fields of this war, has seen his comrades fall like leaves has been worn down to a skeleton & has suffered some of the hardest privations to which human nature was ever exposed, but his patriotism is not shaken and he has not been heard to say he wished he had not enlisted

But he talks of enlisting again if when his time is out the war is not over. I have done nothing for which I should claim to be his brother and I know that my faith would woul shake under a less burden, But you know Daniel and I can not tell you of any love or hate existing in his nature of which you are not aware. When I saw him last his countenance showed that depth of feeling which you have seen, but perhaps, in only one face. "From the fullness of the heart the mouth speaketh", so I have spoken of Daniel.

I had a dream not long since in which I imagined my self at home and heard the voices of the children and their mother. Carrie talked very plainly and I never heard such sweet musick in all my life as there was in her voice, it finally half waked me and I was conscious of being still in the hospital I covered my head least I should be entirely waked and I could hear her still and and in fact till I was conscious that it was all a delusion, I almost wished that I had never wake But it is getting late and I have almost finished the sheet without saying much and I hope you will pardon me for it is the best I can do. I would write to your wife if I were not afraid of getting out of materials before next pay day, as it is I must ³proceed with caution² and if you get no more letters from me for a while you will know what cause to attribute it to

We have tolerably good quarters and I have no reason to complain, you may send this to your wife if you think it worth while and I will try to write to her as soon as safe you know I must write home let what will happen So good night

Hezekiah

This letter is from Ellen (GOLDSMITH) BOND, to her son Ty BOND. Ellen has already lost one son, Benjamin, to the war & now two more are wounded or missing (Hezakiah & Daniel). Her youngest son Edward is also in the war.

[20] [very damaged letter]
July 3rd /64
[ ]
Dear Son.

I have written twice since I received thine of [ ] May 22nd but I have more important news now. last night we got word throu' the press that Hezekiah was wounded in the leg severely. That Corporal Danial Bond was amongue the missing supposed to be taken prisoner.

Daniel was him self too cautious to [?] quite a risk of being taken at Gettysburg last year; Hezekiah informed us that when the colors fell Daniel caught them up and pushed forward calling, "come on boys." Inconsequently he was appointed color guard.

I shall not write much now, have several letters to write to day. they will be short of necessity

Since the above was written a neighbor knowing me deeply interested in that battalion gave me[ Sa]terdays paper [in] overviewing I find Hen[ry ]Brown wounded severely in hand[an]d breast as P?) there is no such[ ]Co.A. and changing the N. to W. w[ ]ive our Brown's name I believe it[ ]
[ ] These disasters occurred the 24th[ ] as near as I have learned

Heze[kia]h has every time met a serious reverse as [ ]on as he went into the ranks he knows nothing of monotonous camp life.

In these afflictions I have not Daniel's strong arm to lean on, Hezekiah's quiet but deep sympathy, Edward's hopeful suggestions, Samson's pointing to the brightest spot in future nor P's ever ready word of consolation, Joseph's unvarying kindness I is still present.

The last from Ed he was just getting out of the region of post Offices said I need not write to him as he would not be apt to get a letter and could send none. His date then was june 10th. I got a letter from Cornelia some days past date june 17th.

This from thy Mother Ellen Bond

Letter is from John Simpson EDWARDS to his sister Cornelia (EDWARDS) BOND. John & his twin brother William, brothers-in-law, Ty BOND & Sebe RUSSELL were all serving together in the 2nd Ind. Cav.

[25]
Camp near Louisville Ky July 16th 1864
Dear Sister
I can say
with the poet
"My lids have long been dry Nell
"But tears came in my eyes

when I read your long interesting and kind letter. I have not received such a one for many a day before. It always cheers me to read such a one. Was glad to hear of all being well at home

We are still here and likely to stay this summer for Kentucky is getting [hotter at] nights at this time with a vengeance. The state is overrun with bands of plundering and murdering Guerrillas. it is truly a reign of terror in Ky. Our men are after them all the time but cannot find many of them. They will not fight unless they can take the advantage of us

We sent a party of twenty-seven down the Ohio river to Brandenburg Ky a few days ago in command of two Infantry Officers who live There when at home. Last night I see a dispatch stating that while on a scout a short distance from town they were ambushed by a party of Bushwhackers and the Capt. was badly wounded and the Scout killed and several of the men wounded & taken prisoners, and twelve horses killed or taken

My men are nearly all out in another direction at this time when they returned we will visit that place with a vengeance That They will not soon forget

I do not put much dependence in the report about the boys who were captured I think it is one of many rumors that get out but it may be that Scott heard from Them I hope it is true, I often feel like I would like to take command of an expedition to go and release Them from prisons if possible to do so, but we must wait and hope

The report that Ed McCook was mortally wounded I think is a mistake his cousin Dan McCook was badly wounded and passed here some days since in company with Gen McCook for his home in Ohio

I have written to Ty & Sebe but never hear from them only through you, I must have a good many letters there that I am anxious to get, but cannot hear from any of them. I have written to Cousin Milton Howe but rec no reply and have written to sister Elizabeth Brooks a number of times but have not had a word from her, when you write to her tell her I have not forgotten her.

You Spoke of Sue Pittman being down at your house and that she to a fancy to my photographs. Sue was always good and kind to me, when They lived at Fortville she lived at our house sometimes and knew how things were conducted There, and always tried to help the mother as much as she could, sue was always a good kind girl although there was talk about her like every body else about Fortville.

I have not been out on a scout since we came here. I have not been able to ride. it keeps me tolerable busy in camp as I have no other officer with me. I am not sick but am troubled with a disease of my right kidney so that the Dr says I must not ride any more and advises me to quit the cavalry service when our time is out

I does not hurt me much only when riding. I do not want to quit yet think I had better get on a gun boat when we are discharged. Would like to help to give the rebels the last Kick

Things look better in the East than a day or two ago. hope every thing will work right yet Sherman is doing fine in the South by the number of prisoners that pass here

We have very warm & dry weather here I have but little to write about and a very poor hand to get up a letter

Give my love to Mother and all the family and accept for yourself a full share

Your Affectionate Brother John S Edwards

Indiana in the Civil War

email me at: genealogy105 at comcast.net