35th Ohio Infantry

Item LTR-11162

Description

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


May 11, 1862
In Camp before Corinth
 
Dear Father: I seat myself to write you a few lines to inform you that I am still on the Land of the Living; well & hearty. Ken and Harve (who joined us a few days ago) are well. Josh has been on the “sick list” for at least 2 months, but I don’t believe anything more than homesickness ails him. I saw Bob Lane this morning. He is well. Bob got to fire 3 rounds at the rebels in the Pittsburg fight and came out all O.K. Our Brigade has been transferred to Gen. T. Sherman’s command, Gen. Thomas being promoted to Maj. Gen. Our position is now near the Left Wing, although for me to tell just where is more than I know at present.
Yesterday morning “the Long Roll” beat in our camp, the enemy having made a demonstration on our Right Wing. But it did not amount to much. The probability is that the impending fight will come off this week, but there is no telling, for it takes a long while to get ready. It is rumored here in camp that Gen. Siegel has arrived and will take command of the Artillery.
 
The news of the evacuation of Yorktown and the occupation of New Orleans have been received.
 
The weather is exceedingly warm here, but for all it is a heap pleasanter soldering than it was last winter. I expect that you are done planting corn by this time. I would like to have been home to have helped.
 
Well, I don’t know as I have anything more of interest to communicate, for I suppose that newspapers keep you better posted about the movements of this Army than I could possibly do. I am in hope that the war will soon be over, and then I will come home. Bob Tate and Bill Graham are well. But I must close. Write soon and oblige


Your Affectionate Son
A. Lane
Company G
35 Regiment O.V.M.I.

P.S. (Excuse this bad Army penmanship)