letters1863

Civil War Letters 1863

Bell Plains Va. Jan. 6th 1863 I received your letter last night. I think it was which caught my self eating potatoes. The boys of my bunk are well except Dickover. The health of the Regiment is tolerable good at the present. there is no good news, everything is sad, soldiers discouraged, tired of the war and about like the proclamation freeing the damed negroes, the grand army of the Republic has one third playing cards, the other going the duty and the last third deserting as fast as they can. The nineteenth are playing there hands out if they do bit beat official. J. P. Wood, Agutant general, we had a grand review yesterday but didant a mount to much. John cooked some beans for dinner and we feel some better than we did the night we recrossed the Rappahannock. It is very cloudy, we hope it will rain. A man that wasnt use to this country would think it rained negroes, the way they come in. I often see it in the papers that the soldiers are in good spirits and eager for nother mingle with the butter nuts, this is all untrue, you will remember. We are in two miles of the river, on the side of a big hill, we have dug a hole in the ground and we live comfortable. Dougherty and I sleep up stairs, John and Sam in the seller. We are living well as long as we stay hear at seat of our good cloths, bee gum hats and white leggens. We have a Wayne County flag but it is shot all in strings. I had forgotten to say that I hope you kept well. I would like no whether Gake had got shet of his old pieces of calicoes that he had when I was there? You can tell Sam Bainter that I still belong to the 19th Regiment, Company K. So I will close my letter by expecting to hear from you soon. Wrote by A. W. Galyean to Catherine Hawk, hear is dear to ols Indiana and luck to you, Kate Hawk.

Bell Plains, Va. Jan 9th, 1863 Dear Father and Sister, I embrace another opertunity of adressing you again. I received your letter last week, it found me well. I soppose you have herd that the 19th was in the battle of Fredricksburg, we was in Franklins Left grand division, Doubleers Division, Merideths Brigade. we were on the extreem left, was under heavy canonading and supporting battereyes. we were in no musketry except skermishing. We were on picket the night the army recrossed the river. they left us there intending to let the rebs capture us but after the army had crossed the river but us, they then thought they would let us know our dander and let us excape if we could, we got over the river without the loss of a single man. Bully for the 19th, but I suppose this is stail noose to you so I shall say no more on this subject and tell you that we have comfortable shantys and hope to have the pleasure of staying here during the winter. This grand army is the worst demoralised it ever was. The boys all say compromise and in fact they say they never come here to free the negroes. At best, I had thoughts of fighting for anything only the restoration of the union. whitch might of been done before this late hour if our Generals had not worked against each other for the sake of honor, the Generals wate for that Abolition President and War department. Father, you know my sentiments in regar to slavery, and by reeding the papers you can see plainly that this war is not carryed on as we hoped. it would be so its not worth while for me to talk of things that you can see so plain with out my stammering. Well Cate, I still Cook for Company K. I am cooking beans for dinner and Wes is mixing pancakes for our dinner, I often think if I was home, I could injoy my self better at coppering, but so it is and I am very contented. Tell Sue Stanlyes folks that Abe Stonebraker stayed all night with me night before last, he belongs to the 1st Cavalry Company, they are encamped at Safford Courthouse. They are Seigals Bodyguard. Tell them if they write to him to direct to A. Stonebraker, 1st Ind. Cavalry., Company B. Seigals Body Guard. I belive I have written enough for this time. So good by Father and Cate. respectively yours. J. Hawk Note: This Stonebraker was a relative of John's, as his mother was of the Stonebraker family. Uncle or a cousin probably...

Camp Neff Cassville, Va. Jan'y 20th, 63 Mr. John Hawk Dear Sir. Yours of the 23th, Dec. has been Rec'd and in Reply. I will say that through extra care and attention, your grandson has recovered so that he has been sent to the post hospital at Ashland Kty., where all the sick of this Regiment is and they are under the care and treatment of the best surgeons in the country. I heard from John Turner today, he was getting better slowly, he has a good constitution and is one of the best soldiers, I have evr seen. A boy well liked by both officers and soldiers of the Company. If anything should happen that any of the boys in my Company should die, where I could not help or see them, I could not send them home but I have sent all home that has died yet and if any are buried in this county, I will see that it is decently done and the grave marked with a stone. No care or expence will be spared to do all the soldiers that can be done while I am in command of Company B. 84th Indiana Volunteers. We have been considerably afflicted with measles and mumps in the Company but are about over them. I will give immediate intelligience if anything happens. We are in hard service, our time nor our lives are not ours but this goverment must perpetuated. Let it cast what it will. David Lenox is well and a good soldier. I remain your obedient servant J. H. Ellis Capt. Co. B. 84th Ind. Vol. Mr John Hawk Blountsville., Ind. Note:John Sr. must have written John Turner's Capt about him after he was wounded. I do not know who this David Lenox is.

Post Hospital Ashland Kentucky January the 25, 1863 Dear Aunt and Grandfather, It is with pleasure that I take the oportunity od sending you a few lines to let you no that I got your last letter in December but havent wrote you a answer until this one, the reason is that I have been very sick and ant well yet nor I dont think I will be able to do any army duty this winter, I have been sick just six weeks today an bin in the hospital every since. the Doctors says that my direiye is very hard to cure and that I thnk that I will get a discharge. Well, I will drop this subject and tell you something else. there is a bout 140 sick men in this hospital. There is some talk of the Regiment a going to Tennasee bit I dont think that I will go with them When the Brigade Doctor comes down here, I think that I will get a furlow. Well, I gess that I will close by asking you to write as soon as you get this, so no more at present but still remain your affectionate nephew and grandson John W. Turner to Catherine Hawk and John Hawk Direct to the Post Hospital, Ashland, Ky.

Febuary the 8th, 1863 Dear Aunt, It is with great pleasure that I seat my self to inform you that I am on the mend. I am geting better the fastest kind. Hoping that when those few lines reaches you they may find you enjoying the best of health. You stated that you and Catharine Bainter wanted them rings that I was going to sent you, well, I hant got them made yet and dont know whether I will get to make them now for we are ordered down the river. I ges that we will go to Vicksburg and if we go down there, we will see some fun down there. You wanted to know where Ben Beny and George Nite was. they are all rite, Beny is in the Regiment and George is in the hospital, hes sick. Well, I am so weak that I will bring my letter to a close for I cant rite, so no more at present. John W. Turner

Murfreesboro, Tenn Febuary the 10th, 63 Dear Father, I take the present time to let you now I am wel at the present and hope if ever those lines come to you they may find you in the same state of health, I reseave your letter and was glad to hear from you and to hear that you are well. We are in Camp at this place and I think that we will stay hear for a while and then if the rebels do not fite us hear we will go south and fite our way through, if we can and I think that we can whip them for we have done it ever time that they have stad us a fite. We had a beeg fite hear and we whiped them like the devel hear but they fite like the devel but we made them run from hear but we lost men by the hundreds. I cant give you a full account of it for I think you have heard from it before this time. so I will say no more about it. We have to work on the fort that we can whop five to one if they come hear to fite us but I dont think that they will come hear to fite us so I cant think of much to rite. so I will bring my few lines to a close for this time. I want you to rite to me once a week and I will rite to you as often as I can for I hant got the chance to rite when I want to for we are out most of the time, so no more at the present but still remain you tru son till Death. Bill Hawk

Bellplains, VA. Feb. 26th, 1863 Dear Sister Catie, I received your kind letter sometime since. Was turly glad to hear that you and Pap were well. My Health is very good. Your Letters give me great Satisfaction although i sometimes fail to answer as prompt as you desire yet you should look over this for soldiers connot sit bye the blasing fires and write when they pleas as civillions can that have no one to obey unless they see proper. Well I must drop this part of the subject least you should think me homesick (whitch would be correct)for there are no persons on earth so base as to forget home and friends. Our Regiment stand picket two days of every eight. I am driving one of the Regimental teams, whitch is verry hard work espectialty in winter. the ground is cover 12 inches deep of snow but melting very fast. No prospects of marching soon for the roads are so bad for transportation of artilary. soldiers are verry that peace be declared on some tearms. Cate, I hav but little to write this time but when I get home I can tell many things so pardon my hasty letter and write soon. Respectfully yours John Hawk to Cattie Do you miss me at home, Do you miss me at morning, at noon or at night And linger one gloomy shade round you, That one my presance cam light. Well, Pap, I often think of home pleisures and of the sport ure used to have while fishing. I belive ure could see more pleisure than ever if I were there. Yet my duty calls me hence and i shall my duty as a soldier and not bring disgrace upon an aged Father or tender Children I cant as yet see Fruits of my soldering< yet the time may come that my Children can reep the fruits of my labor. i belive I have written enough for this time. So good by Pap. I should lik to drink to your health out of some of uncle Eddyes best rye. Yours with respect John Hawk , Junior Note: These two letters I have never figured out Its not A. W. Galyean's writing. and John Hawk has never called his father Pap. I rather think this was written during the time Wes Galyean was captured, and some one else wrote the letters. It is also signed by John Hawk Jr. so it also may have been the John we have come to know's son who also served in the Civil War.

Murfreesboro, Tenn. March 22nd, 1863 Dear Father, With pleasure I take the present oportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know that I am in very good health at present, and as bold as ever in defense of our glorious Nation. Hoping that we may soon conquer and see peace once more reign over the beautiful land but time compells me to be brief but as I am going to send you my minature I thought I would tell you that I am well, hopeing that these few lines may find you all in good health. If we move from here soon, I will write again. So with my love and best wishes to all Farewell from your son Wm. Hawk to his father.

Murfreesboro, Tenn. Aprile the 11.63 Dear Sister, I take the to rite you a few lines to let you know I am well at the present time and hope if ever those lines comes to hand they may find you the same. I reseave your letter and was glad to hear that you and Father was well. You wanted me to send you my miniture, I sent it about three weeks ago by Dillin Hiatt and he will fethch it to you. I have bin in the sirvis about twenty months. I think that I will come home this summer and see you all, if I shuld live and then I can stay my time out and then come home and stay well contented. I have not much to rite at this time, so I will bring my few lines to a close for this time. I want you to rite as soon as you git this letter, from your brother Will Hawk Catharine Hawk Note: This letter is from John's Brother William.

Bellplains, Va. April 22nd, 1863 Father and Catharine, With pleisure I seat my self to answer your welcome letter whitch come to hand some time since and finds me well. I have nothing of great importance to write for we have layed here so long that every thing has became old, consequently I have but little to write of. We have orders to be ready to march at a hours notice. We dont know where we shall goe. The impression is that we are destined to cross the Raphamack a gain. I have give up Company Cook and take my gun a gain. we have eight days rations to carry, 3 in harer sacks and 5 in knapsacks. this move looks strange to me for we are diging riffle pit as though they were intending on beeing attacted bye Rebels. I shall confess I dont know what is going to be done. we are expecting our pay this eveing. the boys are in fine spirits. I cant think of any thing more to write, but request you write often and give all the news. As ever, John Hawk to John and Catharine

Nashville, Tenn. Aprile the 24/63 Dear Aunt, I once more seat my self to write you a few lines to let you know that I am still in the Hospital but not in the one that I was in when I rote you the other letter. I am in Nashville, Tenn. I left Ashland, Ky. on the second day of Aprile and started to my Regiment and got here and had to stop in the Hospital. I think that the next move I make, it will be at home for the Doctors say that I am a fit subject for discharge. You says that if I wanted to write William, Uncle, I should have sed to direct to Nashville, Tenn. I did not know where he was, nor dont yet but I will find out and write to him if he is any where in this cuntry. I would like to hear from him the best in the world for I havent got any letter from him since I have bin out in the army. You was saying, you and Kate Banter was still looking for them rings, well , you must not look till your strain your eyes for I have not got the money to by them for I havent drawn any money for six months and not likily to get any for the next two months. Well, when I come home you shal have them and they shal be of the purest of gold. I would send you my mineature but I have no money to get it taken. well, I must bring my few remarks to a close, direct your letters to Nashville, Hospital No. 8, Ward No 4. John Turner Catharine Hawk

Murfreesboro, Tenn. May the 2, 1863 Dear Father and Sister, I take the present time to rite you a few lines to let you know that I am well and harty at the present time and I hope if ever those lines come to hand, they may find you well and enjoying good health. I reseace the letter that you sent by Ross and was glad to hear that you was well. I seen him to day and he is in good health as can be expected. We have but little goin hear now. They ant any fiting now and I dont think that they will not be very soon for the rebel will not fite us hear for they will get whiped like the devel, if they do. We have bin out on a scout of twelve days. take eight hundred prisners, a good many horses and mules and I think that we will a gain in a few days. I like to scout vary well. We can git something good to eat when we are out. The health of the army is good at present time and I have not much to rite, so I will bring these few lines to a close for the present time. I want you to rite often as you can for I wod like to hear from every week, no more this time but still remain you Son till Death seperate us. From your Son William Hawk to Father and sister

June 7/63 Camp of the 19th Ind. Miss C. Hawk Permit me to say good morning. If never a gain, this is a beautiful Sabbath, I can hear the Chaplain of the 24th Michagin. Preaching to the men, some of ouer boys are over there, ouer boys used they could hardly git them to go to speaking. now they love to hear of Meting. There is some talk of fight down hear a bout this time a day. Lee has sent a blind. Hooker is trying to straddle it and likes one man having enough to come in. There are some troops a cross the river not but I think they will be on this side before morning. The 7th Wisconsin were called out while a go but for what perpose I dont now. We had orders to march this morning at four o clock, packed up and were out in line but we havant left yet, I dont think the two armys are to well disciplined. To make much off the other if they have a fair chance, It would be nip and tuck but I think tuck would get it. I dont suppose you would be looking for a letter from me know way, so I will not write but a little. I know you dont put much confidence in what I say no way. I should guess that you think that I am awful deceitful. I am hard to find out, that is so. Your letter I received long ago but havnt answered until now the reason why I hant told The call was gust made for church in ouer Redgt and I will wind this little thing up and go draw my rashings of good while I have a chance, We have a good chaplain, I think now his name is Barnett from Selma, he takes great interest with the boys, sick or well. I will not write much this time for fear you wont answer it. neither can I think hard of you, I dont, but if you can end the war any sooner by writing, do so for good sake, for I am tired of hard tack and fish hooks. Yours truly Allan Wesley Galyean Belonging to the first Brigade of the Yanky Army Please tell Sam Bainter, If he is dead for him to whistle. Tell him, that i have come to the conclusion that he is a perty hard yank. By order of Corp. Galyean Note: During this last time frame, Wesley Galyean was captured and then released under a trade agreement of some kind. He was promoted to Corporal on Nov 1st 1862 but seemed to not write home about it until this date or at least did not tell the Hawk family about it.

Camp near Franklin, Tenn June the 9th, 1863 Dear Aunt and Grandfather It once more that I embrace the oportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present. Hoping that those few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. it has bin a long time since I heard from you and I thought I would see if I could here from you by writing to you. Well, I can tell you thatb I have seen the Elephant on the fourth day of this month. The rebels com in site of our lines and our picketts fired on them and the rebels drove the picketts in and we fired on them with our guns in the fort and throed shell amongst them an just nicked them helter skelter and they come in to town called Franklin, it is only about nine hundred yeards of the fort and there was only one rebel shoed him self this sid of town so we could reach him with our guns and he never got back to his dear beloved rebel company a gain alive. It was the first time that ever I took site on the darned things but I gave them the best burn I had in the shop. Our loss was one missing and three wounded, there loss is not known for they cep halling them off, killed or wounded all the time. Well, I will tell you a bout a little afair that hapned here this morning at nine o clock, there was to rebels spies come in to the fort and run all over it started out on the pike leading from Franklin to Nashville. They both was officers, one was named William and the other Petters, William was a Colonel and Petters was an Adjutant. We jiently fix up a scaffold and hung them untill they was as black as a pot. Well, I must bring my letter to a close by asking you to write soon, direct your leters to the 84th Regiment, Ind. Vol., Co. B., in care of Lieutenant McLelan, Franklin, Tenn. From John Turner To Catharine Hawk. Note : It would seem John Turner did not get discharged as he had said.

Camp near Fredricksburg June 10th, 1863 Dear Father and Catherine, With pleasure a attempt to write. the Army of the Potomac is all on the move except this Corps. the 6th Corps crossed the river the 4th inst, opposet the Dreded Hights. they do not advance, but are in rediness to march at a moments notice for the last 6 days where the right wing of the army has gone, I cant say. but the supposition is that; they have gone towards Gardensville or to Culpeper Court House, at any rate it is generally supposed that General Hooker wishes to kep all the rebel force here that he can in order that Grant maybe sucessful at Vicksburg. If they leave here to go west, then Lee certainly will take Richmond. health in the army is generally good I am detailed at Brigade Commissary, my business is to stand my turn of guard and help weigh the rations to the man & c. I see reasonable good time for a soldier if I remain where I am. I shall not be compelled to fight, which is quite a good consellation. I dont see the pleasure in the army, our time is two thirds out the 29 inst., then we shall only be 12 month troops. Time certainly will soon pass a way Then we can return home again. Tell me your next whether times kep up as usual. Dont ask many letters of me for I cant write often. Write when you can, give all the news recollect. I remain ever cheerful and in good spirrits, give my respects to Uncle Ed House and all inquiring friends. Yours ever, John Hawk

Camp near Pelham 25 miles south of Tulahoma Dear Father and Sister, Your kind letter of the 28th of june has just come to hand and I assure you, I was glad to hear from you and to hear that you stil enjoy good health. We left Murfreesboro on the 24th and this is now the 14th day that we have been after Brags army and a couple of perty sharp little fights in a few days after we started as been the amount of our fighting up to this time. I tell you when we get them started they skedaddled in a awful hurry and in hurrying over the Duchriner Bridge, at Shelbyville, they broke it down and several hundred of thier Cavalry was drowned. And our forces also took a good many prisoners at that point and on the morning of the 30th they got powerfully frightened at Tulahoma on account of our advancing and they fled in great haste in the direction of Chattanooga leaving behind them four heavy Seige guns and two pieces of fild artillery and 1200 tents and all their Commissary Stores and rations excepting what they could take with them in such a way as not to be burden to them for our Cavalry had got in their rear and destroyed the railroad so they could not use it with out considerable of fixing which they had not time to do but had to get out of our way as fast as they could or I suppose we would have taken many more of them. We are now with in three miles of the Cumberland Mountains, 45 miles from Chattanooga and we expect to go there as soon as we get the railroad fixed up so as to keep our transportation up with us which will not take more than two weeks at the most. The soldiers of this army are in good health and fine spirits, but I shall have to bring my letter to a close for the present. I am in good health and stand marching fine and my hope and wish is that these few lines may find you in good health. Give my love and respect to all inquiring friends. Yours in love, Your son W G Hawk Direct as before

Warrenton Junction, Va. July 28th 1863 Dear Father, As this is the first time I have had a good chance to write since the battle, I thought I would write a few lines to let you know that I am well and hope you are all enjoying the same blessing, Our company is quite small now but what few there is are in good health. You have heard I expect, of Tom Daughterty's death, poor fellow, he was killed on the first of July in the battle of Gettysburg. Tom's loss was deeply felt in the Company. There were none of the boys but what liked him and he in return liked all of them. I am sorry indeed to hear that Brother George has such bad health, I hope he will get well. Good health is a great blessing and should be dearly prized by all, especially by the working man. Health here in the army is very good, better than one could suppose seeing the hardships and exposure the soldiers have to go through. I can not write a long letter, you must be content with a short one, I learned yesterday that I was reported back there that I was lost or killed in battle, if such was the case this will set all right again. Write me when you can, give my respects to all the friends, I would like to see you all and hope I shall some time. Your affectionate son John Hawk NOTE: I belive this letter was written just after the Battle of Gettysburg. The Regiment went into battle with 288 men and officers and came out with 88.

Camp off. fredricksburg Dear Father and Sister I have gust returned from a long march of a bout eighty miles. we left this place to reenforce banks and to Catliff Station and from there to ha market, from there to a town by name of Warrington, from there to Fredricksburg, it was perty hard on the boys, the heat and the rain, there is some talk of us staying hear a while and guarding the City and bridges for a while and it is talked through that we will git on board of boats and to West Point below Richmond, so I cant tell you how it will work out, there was one division left this place to reenforce General McCleand. the weather is dry and pleasant, the nights are cool. I heard that Wade was at Dr. Currs. I want you to write immediatly and tell me all a bout it. I havent heard from you since I left Alexandra. I dont now what it means, I hope you all are well, I am well and think my self able for a nother hundred mile heat to morrow. there was a reble magor sliped thrugh our lines the other night and came home, one of his darkeys told some of the boys and they went and pulled him out of bed with his wife, some thinks that was pretty cool. rite as soon as you receive this. John Hawk to Father and Sister

August the 7th, 1863 Dear Grandfather and Aunt, It is with great pleasure that I seat my self to write you a few lines to let you know that I an well and hopeing that when those few lines reaches you they may find you enjoying good health. I have got to the Regiment once more, I got to it the fourth of August and I think I will stay with it a while now. I have been at Murfreesboro, Tenn. for a long time in the Convalescent Camp. When I got to the Company, I found all of the boys sick nearly but there health is increasing though and I think in a few days the health will be better. We have plenty of rostenyears and milk that the regiment fetches in to sell and peaches is getting ripe and there is plenty of then in this Country, If I can get a pass, I will go out and see uncle Will. He is well. Some of the boys was out there and seen him. Well, I gess I will have to bring my few lines to close by asking you to write as soon as you get this letter. Direct your letters to the 84th Regiment, Co. b. in care of Capitan Ellis, War Trace, Tenn. John Turner to John Hawk

Camp 19th Ind. Vol. Sept, 10th, 1863 Dear Father, Your letter of August 30th came to hand in due course of time. I was glad to hear that you were well and c., I enjoy verry good health, have a plenty to do so that I have a good appetite for my hard tack and coffee. Things move along here a bout as of old as for war news you get them as soon as I do. I am in hopes that it will soon be over so that we can all return to our homes and friends. Ellick Wasson is at Brigade Head Quarters taking care of Capt. Holloways horses, he is well as common but he nor no one els has any woman here so much for that. Wesley Gullion was taken prisioner, he is now at Annapolis, the rest of the boys are all well. I was sorry to hear of Grand Pa Morrs' death but that is the end that we have all got to come to sooner or later, I trust that the frost hasnt injured the crops much. We are having pleasant weather here and the Brigade are making great preparation for a celebration to take place on the 17th of the present month. There is to be a flag presented to the Brigade in honors of the several battles it has been in so you may expect to hear of a great time and c. I am as well as common and I hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing, is the wish of your absent son. John Hawk P. S. Write as soon as you can and give me all the news, tell Mr House that I will answer his letter soon. J. H.

Camp near Chattanooga October the 18th, 1863 Dear Aunt, It is and more with pleasure that I seat my self to write you a few lines to let you know I am well and harty and hope that when those few lines reaches you, they may find you enjoying good health, well first thing is, I have seen uncle Will and he is well and harty, the next thing is that we have got to see the elephants, we have bin in to one of the hardest battles that har line fought in this war and we lost our Captain and out first Lieutenant, both was kill dead on the field and we had to privates killed and 19 wounded, I came out safe all but a spent ball struck me on the leg but it did not go through the hide. Well, I havent very mutch to write for I have just come off of pickett guard and am tired. We are a bout one mile and a half from Chattanooga, Tenn. rite oposite the Lookout Mountain and the rebels is in sight. Well I want you to tell Catarine Bainter that I havent forgot her yet and I want her to write to me and I want to know how uncle John is getting a long, if you have heard from him lately. Well, I have to bring my letter to a close. Direct your letter to Chattanooga, Tenn. Co. B, 84th Reg. Ind. Vol. Write soon and tell me of all the seding in town, so no more at present but ever remains you Nephew John W. Turner To Catherine Hawk

Chattanooga Tenn. Dear Sister, I take my pen to rite you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present time and hope if ever those few lines so fortunate as to reach you, they may find you the same. i reseave your very kind letter to day and was glad to hear from you again for it had bin a long time sence I heard from you. I hant got much to rite this time so you must not look for much but I will do the best I can, the times hear is good, I think we will have a fite hear in a few days and then if I git through, I will rite to you again and tell you about how I got a long You said you didnt want me to reinlist any moore, I dont think I will till my time is out hear and come home and see you, I will bring my few lines to a close for the present, Rite soon William Hawk to Sister Kate Hawk

Shell Mountain Station, Tenn. November the 23, 1863 Dear Aunt, It is once more with pleasure that I have the privlige of writing you a few lines to let you know that I am well and harty and hope when those few lines reaches you they may find you well. As my pen is very bad to write with, I will not write mutch. You was saying some thing about me volunteering a gain, well I guess you had better wait untill I get out of this before I make souch questions. Well, I havent very mutch to write so I will bring my letter to a close, direct your letter to Nashville Tenn, Co. B, 84thth Reg. Ind. Col., write soon. I am a going to send my likeness as soon as I can get it taken, so no more at present but ever remains Your Nephew untill death John W Turner to Catherine Hawk

Camp of the 19th Ind. Vols. November 24th, 1863 Dear Miss, I take my pen in hand to drop you a few lins. I am well at present and hope that those few lines may find you the same. I thought of writting to you ever since I have been in service but still neglected to rite. It is raining to day. It has been very nice wether for the past time but we will have to put up with it. At battle of Gettiesburg, my self and six others was taken prisinors and went to Richmond and was all parold but Lige Braington, he is there, yet, I suppose, if he hant ded. It is pretty hard place to live down there. I dont suppose that Lige will ever get away be fore the war is over. If he will, he will be a lucky boy. We was lucky boys for getting away as soon as we did. We only stayed there one day and night. We have but eight months to stay then we are a coming home to have a big time. John is well as far as I know, he is a cooking for the Colonel. I shal not rite any more at present. I want you to rite and give all the news. Close for the present time. Hoping this will find you well. Rite soon, Samuel Dickover to Catherine Hawk

Camp of the Hosiers November 24/63 KInd Friend, Your letter has come to hand, found us all right excepting the orders of marching, They come to be be fore breakfast which made the boys listen for old cannon to whistle, but as the man would have it soon played and the boys raised the yell, made the wood ring for a while. The veterans volunteers are recruiting now, Col. Denis of Goviner Morton's staff is hear for that purpose. I cant tell how he will make it but I think he will come out best. I wouldnt be suprised if the Redg. goes, I go with it. It has been raining for a few days but is not vary cold. There is not a place to have a picture taken in seventy miles of this place, I dont believe, so I hardly think it worth asking me for a picture, soon, not so long as we are in the front on duty. If I go in the veteran service, I will be at home this winter any way. You will have to come down and stop John, he likes the Service too well. John and I have concluded if we come home, we will take some one in out of the wet. We have concluded that you at home have nothing much to eat like we have and dont believe you can cook know how. John is cooking for the Col. Williams and his mess, big fellows. the boys are playing cards in my kitchen. I cant write, I am in such a hurray to play my self and I must git supper, too. We are going to have potatoes and beff, pork hard tack. If you can git up a better supper, we would like to help eat it some times when we have nothing, let us know. Dickover is as fat and as big as a Dutchman and as saucy as a veteran. I wasent looking for you letter so I dont want you to be looking for a picture from me. There may be such a thing as gitting a picture taken this winter if we go in to winter quarters, if so I will try send you a picture sure and if you have one I would like for you send it to me in the next letter, if you please, if you write. I hope you may. Guarillies have got to be so plenty a man is not safe from Camp for there have been several soldiers found with there throats cut, it has become a common thing. Well, Kate, if you think this letter worth answering I would like to see it and the minature with it, so I will quit writing by hopeing those few lines may find you all well and looking for Samuel. I suppose the Washingtons are all right As ever your sincere friend, writen by Allen W. Galyean Give my best wishes to Kate Bainter, tell her I would write but I was afraid there would be no answer to it. Murry says he is all hunk, that is all.

Camp at Shellmound, Tenn. December the 28th, 1863 Dear Aunt, It is once more with pleasure that I seat my self to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present and hope that when these few lines reches you, they may find you enjoying the same blessing. I received you letter yesterday and was glad to hear from you and to hear that you was well. You stated your letter that had a mind not to write any more for you thought I was mad, well I was a little mad but soon got over it so you must excuse me for not writing what I did, so we will let that pass. We have had christmas here but we had no fun at all, I was on pickett on Christmas day and did not see very mutch fun but I think that I will have some fun, I am going to have a big dinner of hard bread and old bacon, so you may gess that will be a good dinner. Well, I must tell you that when I get in the notion of volunteering again, I intend to volunteer and not say any thing a bout it, now you must not get angry when you read this letter for I just speak what I think and I alow others to do the same. Well, I gess I will have to bring my letter to a close by asking you to write some more. Direct you letters as before and they will come,. So good by for this time, but not forever. John W. Turner Catherine Hawk Blountsville, Henry County, Ind.

1864 LETTERS